Symbolism of Colours

whether displayed in dresses, the background of pictures, or otherwise:

Black typifies grief, death.

Blue, hope, love of divine works; (in dresses) divine contemplation, piety, sincerity.

Pale blue, peace, Christian prudence, love of good works, a serene conscience.

Gold, glory and power.

Green, faith, gladness, immortality, the resurrection of the just; (in dresses) the gladness of the faithful.

Pale green, baptism.

Grey, tribulation.

Purple, justice, royalty.

Red, martyrdom for faith, charity; (in dresses) divine love.

Rose-colour, martyrdom. Innocent III. says of martyrs and apostles, “Hi et illi sunt flores rosarum et lilia convallium.” (De Sacr. alto Myst., i. 64.)

Saffron, confessors.

Scarlet, the fervour and glory of witnesses to the Church.

Silver, chastity and purity.

Violet, penitence.

White, purity, temperance, innocence, chastity, faith; (in dresses) innocence and purity.

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.