Purple.— To the Tyrians (whence cazne the purple dye) and Romans a purple robe or band of purple signified authority; it became the Roman symbol of majesty, and its use was allowed only for royalty and for persons in high office or for priests.
Blue.— Eusebius tells us blue was the color of the clothing of the gods, especially of Juno (Queen of the Heavens). In Chnstian art light blue (slcy-blue) was symbol of divine eternity and human mortality, hence was used as a mortuary color. The coffins of the young were covered with blue cloth and the mortuar cloth was of this color; a red and a blue pall, one over the other, signified divine love, raising the soul to immortality. The baldachin, as emblem of heaven elcanopy of heaven))) was blue beneath, and church ceilings (from the Latin cerium, °heaven))) were generally painted blue and powdered with gold stars. Blue sig nifies likewise piety and sincerity, also con templation. The Jewish high priests wore it about their garments as significant of divine contemplation, and the church copes and chasu bles were frequently of this color, though it is no longer a vestment color. -As an angel's gar ment in art blue is symbolic of faith and fidel ity. In tradition and art the Virgin Mary wore a mantle of blue, in which case it symbolized modesty. This color when worn at the cele bration of the Mass signifies humanity and ex piation. In heraldry blue (azure) is symbol of chastity, loyalty, fidelity, good reputation. Blue to the Persian signifies air, to the Mongolian authority and power.
Red.—In symbolistn red signifies life, love, passion, fire, heat. It is the color of blood and hence represented anger, war and incendiarism. Red lions, foxes, squirrels were sun and fire symbols. In Christian art red represents op posite attributes; it is sign of burning zeal for the faith, of energy and courage, also of cruel ty and guilt of bloodshed. The Israelites stained their door posts with red as a sign that the Avenging Angel should allow life to its dwellers. Red is the prominent color in Pas sion Week and on Good Friday. Rose-color sig nifies divine wisdom with the Buddhist and Mohammedan. ,In modern times red is sym bol of revolution and anarchy. Red flowers are love signs.
Yellow.— This color very generally signifies envy, hate, quarrelsomeness. In Christian art
yellow was symbol of the sun, also of the good ness of God, of marriage and initiation, faith and fruitfulness. In Christian iconography we find the illuminators and miniature artists of the Middle Ages depicted Saint Peter in a yellow robe as faithful guardian of the Church. Yellow has been symbol of treason, hence in France the doors of traitors were daubed with yellow and Judas is often found clothed in.yel low in pictures. In some countries the Jews, for betrayal of the Lord, were enforced to wear yellow clothing. In Spain the executioner wears yellow or red, the former indicating treason of the victim and red its punishtnent. In heraldry yellow is symbol of love, constancy and wisdom, or in opposition, inconstancy, jeal ousy and adultery. The Japanese consider golden yellow symbol of the sun, riches, joy, etc., hence their chrysanthemum fete. Yellow was a Chinese symbol of royalty, also of high office under royalty, hence the gift of the °yel low jacket° as insignia showing high regard Of the Imperial court.
Green.— To the ancient Egyptians this color was symbol of hope, growth, joy of spring. In the Middle Ages green became sym bol of unripeness, as green youth, also of poi son, hence dragons and snakes were painted green. Green was supposed to be good for the eyes, and Theophrastus wrote that emeralds were mounted in rings for persons with bad sight to be looked at by them. To the Moham medan green is a sacred color and symbol of immortality. In modern times green has come to envy.
Brown.— With the ancient Egyptians brown was dedicated to Typhon and in olden times was generally a sign of mourning. Compound ed of red and black, this color has been also symbol of treason and evil deeds. In monastic robes it signified renunciation. The Moors considered it emblem of evil, and in Christian art, brown, the color of the dead leaf, symbol ized spiritual death.
Gold.— In Christian art, when used as a background, gold meant majesty of the subject depicted; it was also used for the nimbi of saints as °glory.° Gold signifies purity, dignity, wisdom and glory.
Orange.— With the Buddhists and Moham medans orange is the color symbolizing sor row.