# purple

## Facts

The term "purple" is the name of a color that is a mixture of blue and red. Because it was costly and time-consuming to produce this dye, purple clothing was considered a sign of wealth, distinction, and royalty.

* In ancient times, purple was a rare and highly valuable color of dye that was used to dye the clothing of kings and other high officials. 
* Purple dye was extracted from a kind of sea snail. The dye was extracted by forcing the crushing the snails or causing them to release the dye while they were alive. This was an expensive process.
* Roman soldiers put a purple royal robe on Jesus before his crucifixion, to mock him for his claim to be King of the Jews.
* Lydia from the town of Philippi was a woman who made her living by selling purple cloth.