Purple
Overview
The traditional phrase for an auspicious aura is a purple one, and purple held a high position in the official colour ranking. It is also associated with the forbidden city's name.
Meaning
Purple carries the reading of the auspicious vapour and of high rank — one of the more elevated colours in the tradition.
Traditional Interpretation
Sources treat purple as the colour of the highest civil grades in some periods, and the 'purple vapour' phrase is the older and more persistent association.
Related Concepts
FAQ
What does purple symbolize in Chinese tradition?
Purple carries the reading of the auspicious vapour and of high rank — one of the more elevated colours in the tradition. The traditional phrase for an auspicious aura is a purple one, and purple held a high position in the official colour ranking. It is also associated with the forbidden city's name.
Is purple an auspicious color?
It depends on the setting rather than on the color alone. Purple carries the reading of the auspicious vapour and of high rank — one of the more elevated colours in the tradition. The association with the imperial precinct — the Purple Forbidden enclosure — derives from the polar star rather than from the dye, which is an astronomical rather than a colour reason.
How is purple read in Chinese tradition?
Sources treat purple as the colour of the highest civil grades in some periods, and the 'purple vapour' phrase is the older and more persistent association. It is grouped under Fire (火) in the five-element system.
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