Purple Culture | Introduction
Purple Culture
The colour purple is associated with spirituality, religion, creativity and more specifically royalty, the nobility, power and wealth. Throughout history, around the world, there are cultural references underlying these associations.
Queen Elizabeth I forbid anyone except close members of the royal family to wear it. Purple’s elite status stems from the rarity and cost of the dye originally used to produce it.
In religion, the colour of purple symbolises penance, the repentance of sins. Anglican and Catholic priests, Protestant Ministers and Pastors will wear purple, depending upon the ceremony or position in the church.
In Judaism purple stands for redemption through God. Eastern religions have their own interpretations of the colour purple. In Buddhism, purple symbolises mysticism, whilst Hindus associate purple with peace.
Purple Popular Culture
In popular culture the colour purple is most regularly associated with the creative arts including music, film and literature.
From a personal point of view, I have to focus on the musical genius that is Prince. His signature colour is referenced throughout his early works (lyrics, fashion, album artwork etc.,). There is a suggestion Prince was trying to maintain a theme, and idea that he was musical royalty – and personally, I wouldn’t disagree he achieved that!
If you know what I’m singing about up here,
Come on, raise your hand,
Purple rain, purple rain
Our aim is to share with you some of the historical and cultural facts and references to the colour purple along with how purple has been an inspiration to many in the world of popular culture.
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