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Purple symbolizes inclusiveness, diversity, individuality, and transition. In the past it signified royalty and nobility because purple dye was so rare and expensive, and purple gems and flowers were unusual(Color Meaning, n.d.). "Today in the West, although dark, vivid purple is still considered regal and elegant, especially in fashion and interior design, more often it is associated with broad or non-conventional thinking or being, especially in the areas of spirituality, sexuality, music and theater"(Long, 2011, p.35).
Long (2011) explains that "although purple holds a few specific meanings, compared to the other hues, it has the fewest cultural associations. In the Roman Catholic Church, purple symbolizes both the suffering of Jesus and his resurrection from the dead. Hence it is the color of Lent, the season before Easter. In Thailand, purple is the color worn by widows. In the United States, dark blue-purple is increasingly popular as a Christmas color and alternative to the traditional red and green. This use stems from the Christian religions; in which purple is also the color of Advent, the period of penitence before Christmas. Further, people associate dark blue-purple with the night sky, where in Christian legend, the North Star directed the three Wise Men to the newborn Jesus"(p. 35). |