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The name purple comes from an old English word purpul which came from a greek word porphura which was the name of a snail from which a dye was extracted from the snail’s mucous. I can only surmise that this wasn’t the easiest thing to do because those that wore purple in these ancient times were Roaman Emporors and magistrates, then later Roman Catholic Bishops thus associating it with royalty and the church.
Each culture has its own meaning for purple. In Europe and America it is the colour associated with vanity, extravagance and indiviualism. It is also considered to be a colour of the artificial and the unconventional. Possibly this is because it is the major colour that appears least frequently in nature and yet was the first artificially manufactured.
What does purple mean to you?
http://ceenphotography.com/2014/03/18/cees-fun-foto-challenge-the-color-purple/
About Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist
I began my working career as a reluctant potato peeler whilst waiting to commence my training as a student nurse. On completion I worked mainly in intensive care/coronary care; finishing my hospital career as clinical nurse educator in intensive care. A life changing period as a resort owner/manager on the island of Tanna in Vanuatu was followed by recovery time as a farmer at Bucca Wauka. Having discovered I was no farmer and vowing never again to own an animal bigger than myself I took on the Barrington General Store. Here we also ran a five star restaurant. Working the shop of a day 7am - 6pm followed by the restaurant until late was surprisingly more stressful than Tanna. On the sale we decided to retire and renovate our house with the help of a builder friend. Now believing we knew everything about building we set to constructing our own house. Just finished a coal mine decided to set up in our backyard. Definitely time to retire we moved to Queensland. I had been writing a manuscript for some time. In the desire to complete this I enrolled in a post grad certificate in creative Industries which I completed 2013. I followed this by doing a Master of Arts by research graduating in 2017. Now I live to write and write to live.
Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist) 
Wonderful photos. I was hoping someone would give a quick history on purple!! 🙂
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Cee I was staggered at the amount of information about purple that there is and the different meanings from different cultures. I could have rabbited on for pages but kept it quick instead.
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Pingback: Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: The Color Purple | Nola Roots, Texas Heart
I use it most frequently when making reference to “a purple patch”. Now let me throw the question back to you, O well-researched one: what does that mean to YOU ? 🙂
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purple patch ummm a time that stands out perhaps a period of individualistic activity or perhaps it is the area in the garden where the lavendar, lilac and geisha girl grows. What DOES it mean to YOU? 🙂
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A purple patch is one that a writer, for instance, goes through when her muse is with her.
A painter’s purple patch is when it all goes on right.
And so forth.
Nothing like “purple prose” ! [grin]
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Love that thought M.R. I hope I have a purple patch tomorrow. 🙂
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You often do.
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Ta muchley mate. No really thanks very much. 🙂
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whenever I think of purple I remember this Chanel dress of my mothers that was imperial purple and always made me think of her as a general due to the gold buttons and gold drop chain belt. She was only 5ft but when I was little she looked like a giant off to battle in that dress.
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What a wonderful picture you’ve painted Jenni. I can see your Mum vividly. Thanks for sharing that memory. 🙂
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The color purple means boldness and being outspoken. Although it does depend on the shade of purple you’re talking about too. 😉
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I guess you have to be bold to be an individualist and many individualists have strong views so I can make it fit. 🙂
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Cool post-Though not my favorite color, I love the history of purple you presented…snail mucous who’d a thunk it. 🙂
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Exactly. What kind of brain would even think of playing with mucous of any type? Maybe by accident? Thanks Dysu.
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Thanks God we’re so curious 🙂
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Great take on the purple theme – I love all the purple clothes, especially the man’s cap! Thanks for sharing the great info on the roots of purple!
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So glad you liked the photos and the info. I had fun putting it together . Cheers Irene
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