The color purple has been associated with royalty, power and wealth for centuries. In fact, Queen Elizabeth I forbad anyone except close members of the royal family to wear it.

But the “Tyrian purple” associated with royalty—believed to have originated in Phoenicia (modern Lebanon) as early as 1200 B.C.—was made by extracting mucus from snails found along the ...

That’s because purple is indeed largely associated with royalty, says Dr. Michele Leno, PhD, licensed psychologist and host of “Mind Matters with Dr. Michele.

Created from the desiccated glands of sea snails, the colour purple has nevertheless come to define royalty. Kelly Grovier looks at how the hue shook off its unexpected source.

Purple has long been viewed as the color of royalty. In some societies, only those with power were allowed to wear it.

Across the ancient Mediterranean, few luxury commodities were as prized, rare, and expensive as Tyrian purple, a dye used in ...