Some years different colours of our haramaki core-warmers sell better than others. Its not always really clear why but there must be something in the collective consciousness? This year it is purple, which I find interesting as it is a colour with historical and cultural significance and would like to encourage you to disappear down a little internet rabbit hole with me as you follow my links and more about the colour purple…
One of my positives from the pandemic (yes there were a couple!?!) is that I discovered podcasts and in particular the genius of Blindboy. Listening to his podcast “Lobster Purple - The connection between Lobsters becoming fancy food and purple becoming the colour of Royalty in Ancient Greece: Hot Take Art/History episode about how society manufactures exclusivity” I learned so much . Once only found in minute quantities in the body of molluscs and of high value in ancient Phoenician society 4000 years ago - only priests and royalty were allowed to wear it and it traded for more than gold. It is mentioned in the Jewish and Christian bibles as being worn by King David, King Solomon and Jesus. Thankfully now any of us can wear any colour we like and 1000s of tiny snails (murex or rock snails) no longer need to be sacrificed so we can have a vibrant purple colour in our clothes! Available for all and fit for a king - we give you the purple haramaki ;)
Purple is still associated with age and wisdom - perhaps because of this history and cultural legacy. It can be uplifting and encourage creativity while having a calming affect on the mind (say psychologists that study the effect of colour on the mind). What are your associations with purple?