All About The Color Purple
by Kate Smith
Purple embodies the balance of red’s stimulation and blue’s calm. This dichotomy can cause unrest or uneasiness unless the undertone is clearly defined, at which point the purple takes on the characteristics of its undertone. With a sense of mystic and royal qualities, purple is a color often well liked by very creative or eccentric types and is the favorite color of adolescent girls
How the color purple affects us physically
Uplifts
Calms the mind and nerves
Offers a sense of spirituality
Encourages creativity
CHAKRA COLORS: PURPLE IS THE COLOR OF THE CROWN CHAKRA
The Crown Chakra, also known as the Sahasrara, is located at the top of the head. It is linked to the crown of the head, the nervous system, and the brain, and is representative of pure thought. This chakra connects one with the infinite consciousness. Opening this chakra will help tap into a deep spiritual understanding. Gemstones that will aid the Crown Chakra include amethyst and clear quartz.
THE MEANING OF PURPLE AROUND THE GLOBE
In Thailand, purple is worn by a widow mourning her husband’s death.
The purple in the U.S. military Purple Heart award represents courage. The Purple Heart is awarded to members of the United States armed forces who have been wounded in action.
In Tibet, amethyst is considered to be sacred to Buddha and rosaries are often fashioned from it.
A man with the rank of Roman Emperor was referred to as “The Purple” — a name that came from the color of the robe he wore.
In Japan, the color purple signifies wealth and position.
Purple was the royal color of the Caesars.
In pysanky, the traditional Ukrainian form of egg dying, purple speaks of fasting, faith, patience, and trust.
Purple denotes virtue and faith in Egypt.
In Tudor Britain, violet was the color of mourning, as well as the color of religious fervor.
Traditionally, in Iran, purple is a color of what is to come. A sun or moon that looks purple during an eclipse is an omen of bloodshed within the year.
RELIGIOUS & MYTHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATIONS WITH PURPLE
Purple is representative of “pride” in Christianity.
In Christianity, purple is associated with Advent and Lent.
Catholic priests wear purple vestments before performing Reconciliation.
POLITICAL ASSOCIATIONS OF PURPLE
In the United States, a state with equal distribution of Republicans and Democrats is referred to as a “purple state.”
Julius and Augustus Caesar, Emperors of Rome, both decreed that only the Emperor could wear purple. When Nero became Emperor, the wearing of purple and even the sale of purple was punishable by death! By the time of Alexander Severus, who was Emperor in Rome from 222 to 235 AD, all the workers who made Imperial Purple worked for the Emperor. Later, magistrates were allowed to wear togas decorated with purple ribbons.
INTERESTING INFORMATION ABOUT PURPLE
Purple was the color of the first dye made by man. It was called “Mauveine” and was made out of coal tar. The recipe was discovered by William Henry Perkin in 1856.
Purple represents the planet Jupiter.
February is the month associated with the color purple and the birthstone for those born is February is amethyst.
Purple Stones: Amethyst, Ametrine, Sugilite, Lavender Jade, Sugilite, Selenite, Iolite, Lavender Quartz, Lepidolite
The Byzantine emperor signed edicts in purple ink.
Leonardo da Vinci believed that the power of meditation increases ten times when done in a purple light, as in the purple light of stained glass.
In 1999, formal Moral Majority spokesman Reverend Jerry Farwell came out publicly against the children’s showTeletubbies. He believed that its character “Tinky-Winky” was gay, stating that he was purple – the color of gay pride – and that his antennae was a triangle – the symbol of gay pride.
The poem “Warning” by English poet Jenny Joseph begins with the line “When I am an old woman I shall wear purple…” The poem and its famous purple line has become a tongue-in-cheek reference to a woman’s struggle with aging.
Purple is the color of Madison Square Garden and seating for VIP’s was once covered in purple.
Purple is the color of the highest denomination poker chip = $5,000
During the Silver Age of comic books, those with purple on their covers sold better.
In stained glass, the color purple or violet is seen as uniting the “wisdom” of blue and the “love” of red and symbolizes justice and royalty.
The “Purple Orchid Three” is a sweet potato grown by its Hainan developers from seeds taken into space in 2005 on China’s “Shenzhou VI” rocket.
PURPLE IN ATHLETICS AND SPORTS
Basketball teams include the L.A. Lakers.
The Colorado Rockies are the only team in Major League Baseball to use purple. Their team colors are Purple, black and silver. Coors Field, home of the Rockies, has one row of purple seats, designating an altitude of 5,280 feet – “A Mile High”. “Purple Row” is very popular Rockies fan blog.
PURPLE AS A SIGNATURE COLOR
Prince — This pop star’s favorite color is purple. He is best known for the movie and album Purple Rain.
COMPANIES OR BRANDS IDENTIFIED BY PURPLE
POPULAR PHRASES THAT INCLUDE PURPLE
Purple prose: an elaborately written poem or paragraph in literature
Purple heart: a medal awarded to a U.S. soldier wounded in battle
Born to the purple: a person who is born into a noble or royal family
Lay it out in lavender: very cool, relaxed, and in control
QUOTES ABOUT PURPLE
“I think it pisses God off if you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don’t notice it.” — Alice Walker
“Born in the scientific purple.” — George Howard Darwin
“But, luckily, he kept his wits and his Purple crayon.” — from Harold and the Purple Crayon (1955)
“Oh, I love red. I’m very loyal to my colors. I love violet.” — Elizabeth Taylor
“Violet has the shortest wavelength of the spectrum. Behind it, the invisible ultraviolet. Roses are Red, Violets are Blue. Poor violet, violated for a rhyme.” — Derek Jarman
{See entire list of quotes about color}
WHAT IT SAYS ABOUT YOU WHEN YOU BUY A PURPLE VEHICLE
There is no question that the vehicle you drive is an extension of your personality — an unspoken but clear message to the rest of the world.
The message you send by driving a Purple vehicle: Creative, individualistic, original.
From The Color Answer Book by Leatrice Eiseman with permission
{See what the color of the vehicle you buy says about you}
SONGS WITH PURPLE IN THE TITLE
Pale Purple by Ani DiFranco
Purple by Slapshock
Purple Haze by Jimi Hendrix on Are You Experienced
The Purple of All Curtains by Tangerine Dream on The Seven Letters From Tibet
Purple People Eater by Sheb Wooley
Purple Rain by Prince on Purple Rain
Purple Ray Gun by Alexis Shepard
Purple Stain by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Purple Toupee by They Might Be Giants
Voices Green and Purple by The Bees
PURPLE IN THE GARDEN
Purple is considered a cool color in landscape design. Its appearance has a calming effect in a garden.
Purple plants visually recede in a garden, helping to make a small space feel larger.
Purple’s complimentary color in the garden is yellow.
Purple is a hot color in garden design right now.
A TASTE OF PURPLE
Purple is a very trendy color and gourmet chefs are always looking for a new vegetable color.
The “Purple Orchid Three” is a sweet potato grown by its Hainan developers from seeds taken into space in 2005 on China’s “Shenzhou VI” rocket.
“Purple Haze” is the only imperator-shaped purple carrot.
Eggplant, deeply purple and glossy, adds unique texture and flavor to the taste of purple.
Purple grapes include all grapes of this color, one of which is the Concord grape. Concord grapes are native to North America and are of the slip-skin category, whereas most grapes are of the European varieties whose skin is attached to the meat. This allows the latter varieties to be stored in cold rooms, shipped to fresh markets, and eaten as table grapes. -The Concord Grape Association
PURPLE AND OUR SENSE OF SMELL
Lavender: The soft scent of fresh-cut Lavender. The scent of Lavender is said to be stress reducing. A wonderful scent for all year round. Aromatherapy benefits: Balancing, soothing, gently clarifying, normalizing. -Scent It.com
“Grape” was the original scent of the purple colored Magic Scents Crayons from Binney & Smith Inc., introduced in 1994 with mostly food scents. However, there were numerous reports that children were eating the food-scented crayons, so the food scents were retired and replaced with non-food scents. The scent for the color purple became “lilac.”
For perfume makers, “lavender is a plant which in and of itself has an outstanding olfactory quality.” It certainly appears that lavender counts as one of the most ancient elements used in perfumed products.
Lavender was immensely popular during the 19th century and introduced men to the world of perfume, heretofore reserved for women, with classic lavender waters such as English Lavender by Atkinson’s and Old English Lavender by Yardley. Visit Les Routes de la Lavende to read more about French lavender and plan your dream trip to Provence.
Nothing can compare to the delicious scent of sweet violets in the spring.
Wisteria: Romance lingers in this mysterious hanging garden. This scent is remarkable. Great for all year, though especially intoxicating during spring and summer. Very romantic. Aromatherapy benefits: Romantic, sensual, calming, relaxing, anchoring. -Scent it.com
