PURPLE REIGN

In the northern regions of Norway, most advent candles and wreaths are purple rather than white or red. Purple objects for home interiors are showcased as a christmas colour alongside red, white and green.

In Lutheran and Catholic liturgical tradition the advent candles are purple, there are various interpretations as to why. One tradition says purple is associated with royalty, signifying that Jesus Christ is the king of Israel. It is also the colour of repentance and fasting, as well as the colour of suffering. The colour is therefore used during both christmas and easter, linking the two, and in orthodox churches a fast is part of both celebrations.
IMAGE: FRIEDRICH BÖHRINGER (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-2.5] via Wikipedia Commons