Empire State Building Shines For Nelson Mandela

The Empire State Building tower lights up with blue, red, yellow and green, the colors of South Africa's flag to honor the memory of Nelson Mandela. An anti apartheid icon, Mandela died Thursday at age 95. He was South Africa's first black president. He first visited New York in 1990.

Empire State Building Tower Valentine's Day Lighting

In honor of Valentine's Day, the tower of the Empire State Building is lit in red, pink and white. Earlier today, three lucky couples  celebrated Valentine's Day weddings at the Empire State Building. The couples were chosen from among those who submitted their love stories to the landmark skyscraper's Facebook page.

Empire State Building Lights Up For Easter 2012

The Empire State Building lights up in green, pink and yellow in celebration of Easter from April 5 through 8. These images were made last night at 34th Street in front of Macy's.

Empire State Building Tower Lighting in Tie-Dye Colors

Last night, the Empire State Building top tiers were lit in tie-dye colors for an unidentified “private lighting”. These shots were taken at Herald Square and also on Madison Avenue at 34th Street.

Empire State Building Lights Up In Rainbow Colors For Heritage Of Pride Week

From June 24 through 26, the top tiers of the Empire State Building light up in rainbow colors for the Heritage of Gay Pride Week: red, orange and yellow on the north and south sides; purple, blue and green on the east and west sides. The rainbow flag was popularized as a symbol oflesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) pride and diversity by San Francisco artist Gilbert Baker in 1978. The different colors symbolize diversity in the gay community.

Empire State Building Lights Up For Easter

The top tiers of the Empire State Building light up in green, pink and yellow in celebration of Easter Sunday. Green signifies rays of hope, pink indicates fresh beginning, while yellow symbolizes the brightness of the sun bringing joy and happiness. Happy Easter!

Empire State Building Lights Up In White/Red/White For Japan's Disaster Relief

Tonight, the top tiers of the Empire State Building light up white, red and white as the iconic New York City building leads a worldwide lighting for Japan’s Disaster Relief. On March 11, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake devastated northeastern Japan that led to a tsunami killing about 10,000 people. The earthquake also triggered a crisis at nuclear plants.

Empire State Building Lights Up In Orange/Black/White For Halloween

Tonight and tomorrow night, the top of the Empire State Building lights up all night in orange/black/white for Halloween. Normally, the lights go off at 2 AM. The image was made through the glass window of Filene's Basement Store in Union Square. 


Why black and orange became traditional Halloween colors remains speculative. While black represents the darkness of the night, orange simply is for autumnal jack-o'-lanterns and leaves. Others believe that the colors orange and black can be traced back to the occult. Answers.yahoo.com offers this explanation. They were connected to the commemorative masses for the dead, which were held in November. The unbleached beeswax candles used in the various ceremonies were orange. The ceremonial caskets were covered in black cloths. So thank the Druids and the Celts for them. Feng Shui-wise, these two colors are on the opposite energy spectrums, so to speak. Orange is a very lively and happy color, the color of fall bounty and the warmth of fire. Orange is often called the "social" color, as it creates the feng shui energy to promote lively conversations and good times in your home. Black color, on the other hand, is the color of mystery and void. The color of a space with no beginning and no end, a space with an infinite creative energy incomprehensible to the human mind. Full of the feng shui energy of mystery and sophistication; black color also holds the energy of power and protection.

Empire State Building Tower In Pink And White For Breast Cancer Awareness

This weekend, the top three tiers of the Empire State Building light up pink and white in honor of the Estée Lauder Companies’ Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign and Global Landmark Illumination Initiative, as well as the National Football League’s A Crucial Catch for Breast Cancer Awareness. I made this image from Filene's Basement at Union Square. The lights of the skyscraper change occasionally for specific causes or celebration.