Color You Should Wear on Thursday: Yellow, Gold & Orange

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The colour you should wear on Thursday is yellow. It's the colour most traditions agree on, with gold and orange close behind. This guide explains why, walks through the traditional Thursday (Brihaspativar) customs, and shows how Thursday's colour is celebrated in other cultures too.

Looking for outfit ideas? See our styling guide: Which Color to Wear on Thursday as per Astrology.

Thursday's colours at a glance

Yellow: the main colour of Thursday, symbolising knowledge, optimism and good fortune.
Gold and mustard: linked to wealth, abundance and divine blessings.
Orange and saffron: spiritual, warm colours often worn for Thursday prayers.

Why yellow on Thursday? The Vedic astrology view

In Vedic astrology, Thursday is ruled by Jupiter, known as Guru or Brihaspati. That's why Thursday is called Guruvar or Brihaspativar in Hindi. In Hindu tradition, Brihaspati is the teacher (guru) of the gods, and Jupiter is considered the most generous and beneficial planet of all.

Jupiter represents wisdom, knowledge, prosperity, good fortune, marriage, children and spiritual growth. Its colour is yellow and its gemstone is yellow sapphire (pukhraj). Wearing yellow on Thursday is believed to strengthen Jupiter's blessings: better decisions, financial growth and respect from others.

Thursday is also dedicated to Lord Vishnu, and for many devotees it's Sai Baba's day as well. Both are traditionally honoured with yellow.

Brihaspativar traditions: how Thursday is observed

Many families follow simple traditions on Thursday to seek Jupiter's blessings. Common customs include:

Wearing yellow clothes, especially during prayers or the Thursday fast (Brihaspativar vrat).
Offering yellow items such as chana dal, jaggery, turmeric, bananas and yellow flowers to Lord Vishnu.
Worshipping the banana tree, which is associated with Lord Vishnu and Brihaspati.
Eating yellow food, like besan, chana dal or kesar-based sweets, during the fast.
Donating yellow items, such as bananas, turmeric or yellow cloth, for good luck.
Chanting the Guru Beej Mantra: Om Graam Greem Graum Sah Gurave Namah.

Some households also follow traditional “don'ts” on Thursday, such as avoiding cutting hair or nails, or washing hair. These customs vary from family to family.

Thursday's colour in other cultures

It's not only Indian tradition that gives Thursday a colour:

Thailand: each day of the week has its own colour, and Thursday's is orange. It's linked to Jupiter (Phra Pharuehatsabodi) and to teachers, a nice echo of Jupiter as “Guru” in India.
Japan: Thursday is Mokuyōbi, literally “wood day”, because Jupiter is known as the Wood Star in East Asian astronomy.
Europe: the English “Thursday” comes from Thor, the Norse god of thunder, while the French jeudi and Spanish jueves come from Jupiter itself.

So whether you follow Vedic astrology or Thai tradition, yellow and orange are the classic Thursday choices.

Frequently asked questions

What colour should I wear on Thursday?

Yellow is the best colour for Thursday in Vedic astrology, followed by gold, mustard and orange.

Why is yellow lucky on Thursday?

Thursday is ruled by Jupiter (Guru), whose colour is yellow. Wearing yellow is believed to attract wisdom, prosperity and good fortune.

What is offered to Lord Vishnu on Thursday?

Traditional offerings include chana dal, jaggery, turmeric, bananas and yellow flowers.

What is Thursday's colour in Thailand?

Orange. In Thai tradition, each day has its own colour, and Thursday's is orange.

Note: colour astrology and day-wise traditions are cultural beliefs rather than science. Wear what makes you feel confident. And if yellow on a Thursday does that, it's already a good day.

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