The color purple has long been associated with royalty, power, and wealth. In the ancient world, purple dye was extremely rare and expensive, making purple cloth a status symbol afforded only by the wealthy and powerful. Over time, the color purple became woven into religious symbolism and ritual, taking on spiritual meaning. For Christianity, purple became strongly associated with Jesus Christ and Easter.
The Expense of Purple in the Ancient World
In ancient times, purple dye was extracted from a species of snail known as murex or purpura, which was native to the Mediterranean Sea. It took thousands of these tiny snails to produce just a few drops of purple dye, making it vastly more expensive than common dyes like blue indigo. As a result, purple fabric was worn exclusively by royalty and the very rich.
The Phoenicians were among the first to produce purple dye on a large scale, developing advanced techniques to extract and stabilize the color. As trade expanded across the Mediterranean, Phoenician purple dye attained great value and came to symbolize power, prestige, and nobility. Roman rulers later adopted the color as a symbol of imperial stature. Emperors and senators wore purple togas, and purple banners flew above imperial palaces.
Purple in the Bible
The rarity and cost of purple in ancient times led to its use in sacred texts and ritual. In the Hebrew Bible, purple dye is mentioned as a symbol of wealth and royal lineage. In the New Testament, Jesus’ disciples and Roman soldiers mock him by clothing him in purple robes before his crucifixion, playing on its association with royalty.
The Gospel of Mark describes Jesus’ garments being turned purple during the events leading to his death on the cross:
“And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head…” (Mark 15:17)
This symbolic crowning foreshadows Jesus’ resurrection and spiritual kingship.
Purple in Christian Liturgy
In Christianity, the color purple came to symbolize penitence and mourning. As a result, purple vestments and altar cloths were used during the solemn seasons of Advent and Lent. Purple also came to signify the passion of Christ – his suffering and death on the cross.
| Liturgical Season | Usage of Purple |
|---|---|
| Advent | Purple candles, vestments |
| Lent | Purple altar cloths, priest vestments |
Bishops in the early church would wear purple robes as a sign of penance and mourning for the sins of the people they shepherded. Later, purple became the official color representing the dignity and authority of the episcopate.
Purple in Easter Traditions
Over time, purple became strongly associated with the Easter season in Christianity. During Holy Week in the lead-up to Easter, purple traditionally colors sacred vestments and banners as the Church commemorates Christ’s passion and crucifixion. The purple fasting season of Lent concludes with Easter, symbolizing Christ’s resurrection.
Some Easter traditions make special use of the color purple:
- Purple Easter eggs – In some Orthodox and Catholic communities, eggs are dyed purple and distributed on Easter Sunday to commemorate the resurrection.
- Purple robes – In the Philippines, devotees reenacting the crucifixion over Easter may wear purple robes symbolizing Christ’s suffering.
- Purple banners – Catholic and Protestant churches often hang purple drapes and banners during Holy Week services.
This emphasis on purple connects Christ’s sacrifice directly with the promise of salvation through the Resurrection celebrated on Easter.
Conclusion
The color purple has been associated with Jesus Christ and Easter traditions for over two thousand years, originating with purple dye’s elite status in the ancient world. Its cost and rarity made it a natural religious symbol of passion, sacrifice, and spiritual kingship. The purple robes mocked on Christ during his Passion foreshadowed his resurrection victory as King of Kings. In the lead-up to Easter, purple vestments and banners remind the faithful of Christ’s suffering and the Lenten season of penance. Ultimately, purple points toward the Easter promise of salvation and triumph over sin and death.
