Easter is one of the most important Christian holidays, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is marked by various traditions, including egg decorating, Easter egg hunts, and wearing new spring clothes. One of the most iconic symbols of Easter is the color purple. From purple Easter eggs to purple banners in church, the vibrant hue is strongly associated with this springtime holiday. But why exactly is purple so prominent at Easter time?
The coloring has deep roots in the Passion of the Christ and the Easter story. Purple holds great significance in the Christian faith. It has come to represent the sacrifice and suffering of Jesus in the days leading up to his crucifixion and resurrection. The color is specifically used to mark the Lenten period, the 40 days of penance and fasting Jesus spent in the desert before his death. Let’s explore the history and meaning behind purple as the color of Easter.
The Symbolism of the Color Purple
In Christianity, purple is the color of penitence and sacrifice. It represents the Passion of Christ and his crucifixion. Purple is also associated with mourning and death. As Easter approaches, religious vestments and altar cloths turn to purple in remembrance of Christ’s suffering.
The color purple is formed by combining red and blue. In the church, red represents the blood of martyrdom, while blue represents the sky and heaven. Purple contains both colors, symbolizing Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection. It reminds Christians of the passion and pain Jesus endured to save humanity.
Royalty is also tied to the color purple through Biblical stories. The Roman soldiers mockingly dressed Jesus in a purple robe and crown of thorns during the Passion. Purple dye was expensive and associated with Roman emperors and kings. By dressing Christ in purple, the soldiers unwittingly crowned him the King of the Jews.
The Lenten Season
In the Catholic tradition, purple is the official color for the season of Lent. During the 40 days before Easter, priests’ vestments, altar cloths, and church banners turn purple as a reminder of repentance and solemnity. The color purple serves as a visual cue that the Lenten period has begun.
Lent represents the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the Judaean Desert while being tempted by Satan. It is a time for Christians to give up luxuries, repent their sins, and reflect on the suffering of Christ before Easter.
The Catholic Church eliminated the use of any festive decorations or music during Lent. Flowers were removed from the altar, and celebrations like weddings were prohibited. The somber purple hue set the appropriate tone in churches.
Purple in Ash Wednesday Traditions
Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent in the Catholic Church. On this day, priests apply ashes to parishioners’ foreheads in the shape of a cross. Traditionally, the ashes come from burning palm branches used on the previous year’s Palm Sunday.
Priests wear purple vestments and altar cloth for Ash Wednesday services. As the first day of Lent, purple marks the transition into a period of penance and mourning in anticipation of Easter Sunday. The ashes represent grief, mortality, and contrition for sins.
Purple is both the color of the ashes and the liturgical color of the day. The solemn shade reminds believers of human fragility and the need for reconciliation with God as Easter draws closer.
The Easter Vigil Mass
The Easter Vigil Mass takes place on Holy Saturday evening. It is the first official Easter celebration. At the start of this Mass, priests wear purple vestments during the service of light ceremony.
Candles are lit and a fire is blessed, representing the light of Christ coming into the world. After this introductory rite, white vestments replace the purple ones. Bells ring out in joyous celebration of the resurrection. Purple makes its final Lenten appearance before being replaced by white and gold for Easter Sunday.
Purple Easter Eggs
One of the most iconic Easter symbols is the purple Easter egg. This custom originated in the Orthodox and Eastern Catholic traditions. Red eggs represent the blood Jesus shed on the cross. The red eggs are then dyed a deep purple color in remembrance of Christ’s passion and resurrection.
Cracking the purple Easter eggs represents Jesus emerging from the tomb. The red egg inside symbolizes the promise of everlasting life through the Resurrection.
Here is a table summarizing the symbolism behind various purple Easter eggs traditions:
| Culture | Purple Egg Tradition | Symbolism |
|---|---|---|
| Orthodox | Red eggs dyed purple | Blood of Christ, mourning his sacrifice |
| Catholic | Egg decorating | Sombre Lenten reflection |
| Austrian | Leaf patterns | New life in spring |
| Ukrainian | Elaborate wax resist designs | Jesus’ resurrection |
The purple egg remains an important Lenten and Easter symbol across Eastern European communities. The color represents mourning and sacrifice, leading up to redemption and new life on Easter Sunday.
Purple Easter Flowers
Flowers play an important role as decorations during Easter religious services and celebrations. While white lilies are the most traditional Easter flower, purple irises, tulips, hyacinths, and crocuses are also very popular.
Like the meaning behind purple Easter eggs, these purple blooms symbolize repentance and solemnity during the Lenten season leading up to Resurrection Sunday. Their rich purple hue aligns with the Passion of the Christ and his sacrifice.
Here are some of the most common purple flowers associated with Easter:
| Flower | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Purple iris | Faith, wisdom, admiration |
| Purple tulip | Royalty, rebirth |
| Purple hyacinth | Sorrow, forgiveness |
| Purple crocus | Youthfulness, cheerfulness |
These purple blooms can be found decorating churches, as centerpieces, or in Easter flower arrangements and bouquets. Their regal color helps set the solemn mood before erupting in joy on Easter Sunday.
Conclusion
Purple is strongly associated with Easter due to its symbolic meaning in Christianity. The color represents mourning, penitence, and the sacrifice of Christ in the Easter story. During the 40 days of Lent leading up to Easter, purple adorns priest vestments, altar cloths, and church interiors as a visual reminder of the Passion.
Purple Easter eggs and flowers also carry spiritual meaning around Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection. The color tones down festivities until Easter Sunday, when white and gold take over in jubilant celebration. Whether it’s the Lenten purple of solemn reflection or the joy of resurrection, purple will always be an iconic shade of spring and the Easter season.
