Sunday 27 November 2011

Violets are Blue

Two shades of "violet".
I often read here and there vigorous assertions about the "correct" colour of vestments to be used during Lent and Advent.  Curious as to the history of these colours in Liturgical use,  I researched and posted an article a few years ago on this Blog about use of penitential colours for the Seasons of Advent, Lent &c.  If you have wondered what colour the Church recommends for these Seasons, you will find the article illuminating.  That post may be read here and here, so there is no need to rehearse its findings.

The photograph above depicts two different shades of the colour "violet".  Violet is a blue-tinged colour: it is quite distinct from the colour purple, a shade of which is used as the choir dress for bishops and lesser prelates.

The darker of the two colours may more properly be described as indigo.