I must admot I’m not a big fan of the color purple. Warmer, golden colors draw me in.

The color purple, associated with royalty and laden with symbolism, is revered, almost worshipped. Below, is a street carpeted with tiny shreds of dyed sawdust, yellow chamomile flowers, candles and oranges. Cloaked in a deep purple velvet robe is the bereft Virgin Mary.

Much symbolism resides in the color purple for both European royalty and Christianity. For Judaism as well, this combination of the two primary colors: red and blue, with red symbolizing sin and blue, purity, brings a transformation: redemption. For Catholics during Lent, purple is associated with penance, prayer and personal sacrifice. And while purple may signify pain and mourning, it is ultimately associated with the celebration of Christ’s resurrection and sovereignty. Particularly in Mexico, where the Virgin Guadelupe is highly revered, royal blue and amethyst purple dominate long with white Easter lilies.