What do the colors in the study number of The Watchtower mean?

[Pionner_who]

I’m not sure if this topic has been explained here before, but some time ago, I noticed that each study article in The Watchtower has its own color. These colors come and go depending on the theme. Does anyone know what they mean?

[exactor]

As you may know, more colors are used in our Study WT articles than you posted. Here's why those colors might be used:

• Attention-grabbing: These vivid colors can draw the reader's eye to specific sections or elements. You will notice that the banner is used throughout the article. For instance, the color is used to the left of the Focus section. That links the mind to the article number. Scrolling down the article, you will notice a line of the same color under an image. Why? The image links back to the focus section. Some articles have boxes. The head color of the box is usually the same as the banner color of the article. The last paragraph has a long line of the same color, indicating that the article is completed.
• Hierarchy and organization: Colors help visually separate different articles, making the magazine more manageable to navigate.
• Readability: Using a color as a background can give the words written in the foreground a more significant visual pop, making them easier to read.

You may have to review every study article in the last seven WTs to understand my meaning.

 

Does any of this ‘stick’ to your wall? 🤣

[Pionner_who]

But if you notice, the colors have something to do with the subject. For example, in the February issue of The Watchtower, all the study articles are red. In the January issue, they are blue, orange, and green (with three studies being green). So, just as colors have meaning in the Bible, it seems that they also have significance in the magazine.

[exactor]

I completely agree. The chosen colors may be part of the emotional impact. It is likely more than just design. I did not take the time to dig that deep, but you are correct. 😊

[Watching and Waiting]

13 minutes ago, Pionner_who said:

the colors have something to do with the subject.

 

It seems to be no more than topical arrangement in each edition.  The February issue has only 3 study articles and all three are on the topic of Jehovah's Forgiveness—and all three are red/maroon color.  In the January issue, the last 2 study articles are on the topic of the ransom and both are green.

 

When articles are the same color, they link by reference in the last paragraph by wording such as        "But what does Jehovah’s forgiveness really mean for us individually? That is what we will discuss in the next article."  The final article of color-linked articles has no such reference.

 

I do not read anything special into the use of colors more than that.  Perhaps it is a visual that helps persons with perceptual deficits in some way, but that would be on an individual basis. Every single little thing the slave presents does not have to have a deep significant meaning.  In this case it just makes for nice presentation, it would seem.  I've always found if there's a meaning to be had, they will tell us, no need to guess.  If there has been discussed in print or by video, someone please post it.

 

As for whether the colors have something to do with the subject, I have not perceived that to be true. You would have to view a long list of the articles all together, covering a long time period to determine that. Just doing a quick search: w24 Oct "Jehovah Heals the Brokenhearted" has a green header.  w24 Dec "Your Tears Are Precious to Jehovah" has a turquoise header.  No correlation in color by subject matter there across just 2 issues.  

 

If one is looking for subject matter on a particular topic, it is probably much easier and more productive to just do a search in the jw library of your choice to find that type of information.