Historical Significance:
Historically, purple has often been associated with power, nobility, and luxury. This association is partly due to the rarity and cost of producing purple dye. The famous Tyrian purple, for instance, was derived from a specific mollusc found in the Tyre region of the Mediterranean and required a significant amount of these creatures to produce even a small amount of dye. Because of its high cost, wearing purple became a privilege reserved for Roman emperors and senators. The exclusivity of this colour extended into the Middle Ages and Renaissance, where it continued to be worn by royalty and high-ranking ecclesiastical officials.
Cultural Meaning:
Across various cultures, purple holds different meanings. In Japan, the colour is traditionally associated with privilege and wealth, stemming from the rarity of the dye in earlier centuries. In Western cultures, purple denotes sophistication, luxury, and elegance. In Brazil and Thailand, purple is associated with mourning and is worn during grief periods. The colour's association with spirituality is also widespread, particularly in liturgical contexts, where it symbolizes penance, preparation, and sacrifice, especially during Advent and Lent in the Christian calendar.
Symbolic Meaning:
Purple is a blend of the calm stability of blue and the fierce energy of red. Symbolically, it represents balance. Its meaning can range from wealth and extravagance to creativity and wisdom. The colour is also tied to peace, independence, and mystery. It's worth noting that purple is also associated with the third eye chakra in some Indian traditions, representing intuition, mindfulness, and heightened consciousness.
Purple is a combination of red and blue and takes on some attributes of both. It’s associated with creativity and imagination.
In design, dark purples can give a sense wealth and luxury.
Light purples are softer and are associated with spring and romance.
Brands | Cadburys | Hallmark | Twitch | Wonka Chocolate | claire's | FedEx
The complimentary / opposing colour = YELLOW"I was a punk before it got its name. I had that hairstyle and purple lipstick." - Vivienne Westwood
"I think it pisses God off if you walk by the colour purple in a field somewhere and don't notice it." - Alice Walker
"I struggle immensely with celebrities of all kinds. I get clammy hands and turn a little purple." - Bryce Dallas Howard
"He wrapped himself in quotations - as a beggar would enfold himself in the purple of Emperors." - Rudyard Kipling
"Violet is the most soothing, tranquilizing and cooling colour vibration. It encourages the healing of unbalanced mental conditions in people who are overly nervous or high-strung." - Tae Yun Kim
"Being a purple van man means I have my own perspective on things." - Sean Lock