 In France, the transept fronts were often elaborately treated like the west fronts, having rose windows and significant portals, sometimes, as at Chartres Cathedral, with large porches.The portals and interiors were much more colourful than they are today.Each sculpture on the tympanum and in the interior was painted by the "peintre imagier", or image painter, following a system of colours codified in the 12th century; yellow, called "gold", symbolised intelligence, grandeur and virtue; white, called "argent", symbolised purity, wisdom, and correctness; black, or "sable", meant sadness, but also will; green, or "sinople", represented hope, liberty and joy; red or "gueules" (see gules) meant charity or victory; blue or "azure" symbolised the sky, faithfulness and perseverance; and violet, or "pourpre", was the colour of royalty and sovereignty.