EXPLORE - Day 11

The beginning of week three and we are talking about colour.

I'm a lover of most variations of purple.  Not really sure why this is but I'm drawn to this hue like moth to flame.  Most people would think I like blue - in particular navy blue-  as it is the colour most dominant in my wardrobe but purple is where I like to be.  It's a striking colour, a rich and vibrant colour.  It can make you happy or make you sad.

Purple is both warm and cool.  It has a special, almost sacred place in nature: lavender, orchid, lilac, and violet flowers are often delicate and considered precious. 

It has been traditionally associated with royalty in many cultures. Purple robes were worn by royalty and people of authority or high rank. The Purple Heart is a U.S. Military decoration given to soldiers wounded in battle.


Since I was born in February purple dominates both my birth stone and flower for this month - perhaps that is why I love the colour so much, it has always "been" with me.


My birthstone is the amethyst and the folklore attached to this gem associates it with sobriety, tranquillity, protection and peace. The amethyst birthstone comes in varying shades of purple from deep vibrant violet to   a pale lilac in colour.  This stone is very hard wearing and depicts great strength and durability.

The February birth flower is the Iris. The iris comes in a few colours including cool blue and snowy white as well as the vivid purple hew. The meaning of the iris flower is faith, wisdom, and hope. 

Another flower associated with February is the violet.  People with the violet as their birth flower are believed to possess strong will power. They often stay calm even in difficult situations and strive hard to get out of them. February born people are blessed with good intuitive ability. They are mature, original and never follow or copy others. The violet has an interesting history and the meaning of this flower has evolved with time. Back in the Victorian era, a Violet flower would symbolize complete faithfulness and a cream Violet would stand as a symbol to take a chance. The Violet also symbolizes modesty and chastity.