[Elfsea] needing help from wise ones

[Vicki Marsh]

Do a search on Murex and Poryphyry.  The murex snails are extinct now, but
their shells provided the purple dye used by the Byzantine Rulers.
Poryphyry is a reddish-purple marble that the emperors had their residences
built out of.  I got to see (and touch when they weren't looking) an urn and
a sarcophogus made of the stuff at Dumbarton Oaks University
(www.doaks.org). The ruling families even took the last name
"Porphyrogenitus" - meaning "born to the purple".

 "The children of the emperors were born in the Purple Bedchamber in the
Purple Palace--a residence which owed its name to the fact that the walls of
the empress's bedchamber were hung with stuff, generally silk, the colour of
porphyry.  Though a very small number of senior court officials were allowed
to wear purple cloaks, stuffs of that color were reserved for the exclusive
use of members of the imperial family.  They alone could wear purple-colored
robes and shoes, and be buried in porphyry sarcophagi." Tamara Talbot Rice,
EVERYDAY LIFE in BYZANTIUM, copyright 1967, published 1994 Barnes & Noble
Books. ISBN 0-88029-145-1

There are many, many biblical references to purple cloth as well.  It's
upstairs, but I seem to recall information about murex and purple in WOMEN'S
WORK - THE LAST 20,000 YEARS (Elizabeth Barber?) I'll look it up tonight and
report back on it tomorrow.

Xene

-----Original Message-----
From: elfsea-admin at ansteorra.org [mailto:elfsea-admin at ansteorra.org]On
Behalf Of Terri Head
Sent: Tuesday, May 21, 2002 4:24 PM
To: Elfsea
Subject: [Elfsea] needing help from wise ones


greetings:

     As most of you know, I have been sent away to College in the Steppes
Region (the Art Institute of Dallas) to study Interior Designing. (thus the
reason I am rarely seen now days) I will be obtaining my Bachelor's Degree
in Fine Arts.  This pursuit will take 3 years.

     I have a favor to ask of the wise ones on any information/ websites
etc. that I may research the color purple.  I have a term paper to do on the
history, the feeling(s) of, etc. on my color choice.  I would be much
obliged.

     Hopefully, on one of my breaks between Quarters, I can once again see
all of your smiling faces.

Missing you all...

Violet of Glamorganshire


--
 "Stop telling God how big your storm is.
Instead,  tell your storm how big your GOD is."

~ Unknown


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