What is Purple?
{{colorswatch|purple|800080}} [[File:Dominance of Purple.jpg|thumb|[[Holi]] celebration in [[India]]]] [[File:Purple lights, Party lights, Club wear, Rostov-on-Don, Russia.jpg|thumb|Lighting for a party]] [[File:Purple Sky.jpg|thumb|Purple sky]] '''Purple''' is a [[color]] that is made of two primary colors, [[blue]] and [[red]]. The first written use of ''purple'' as a color name in [[English language|English]] was in 975.<ref>Maerz and Paul ''A Dictionary of Color'' New York:1930 McGraw-Hill Page 202</ref> == Meaning of purple == * Purple is associated with [[wisdom]], [[dignity]], [[independence]], [[creativity]], [[wikt:mystery|mystery]] and [[witchcraft|magic]]. Purple is a very rare color in [[nature]], though the [[lavender]] flower and catmint are two examples. * Tyrian Purple is used to represent [[Royal family|royalty]]. It is a sign of [[Influence|power]], [[nobility]], luxury, and ambition. It shows [[wealth]] and [[Eccentricity|extravagance]]. It is thought as a royal color because in [[Ancient Rome|Roman]] times, there was only one way to make the color purple, which the Romans called ''purpura''. <br/>They used one or two [[species]] of the [[gastropod]] ''[[Murex]]'', which produced the dye in a [[gland]]. These tiny [[shellfish]] lived in the [[Mediterranean Sea]].<ref>Interscience. Purple dyes made from shellfish in antiquity</ref> Each snail produced only tiny amounts, so it was very expensive. Therefore, purple was only worn by the rich and famous. Naturally, the richest and most famous people in the country were the [[Roman Empire|Roman emperors]], so they were able to wear the most purple.<ref>Marginal Revolution, Royal Purple</ref> Roman sumptuary laws forbade [[plebeian]]s to wear it. * Light purple is a good choice for a [[female|feminine]] [[design]]. It creates feelings of [[Love|romance]]. Bright purple can be used when [[advertisement|promoting]] [[child]]ren's things. * Dark purple may create sad feelings. It can cause [[anger|frustration]]. * Pink purple, it is associated with [[e