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Flowers and Festivals 



the air; the purple, of the sea, because it derived its 

 colour from the Murex, a shell-fish that inhabits the 

 sea ; and the scarlet was the natural symbol of fire. 



The Church had a difference of colours for the 

 various seasons, in their Copes and Albs, viz. : — white 

 for most of her great festivals; violet for Lent and 

 fasts ; red for the festivals of martyrs ; black for 

 occasions of deep mourning; and green and other 

 colours for ordinary seasons. 



Or more elaborately set forth, as by the Ritualistic 

 writers thus : — 



White, on the Feasts of our Lord, the Virgin 

 Mary, and Saints who were not Martyrs. 



Red, on Pentecost, Invention of the Cross, Feasts 

 of Apostles and Martyrs. 



Green, on most of the Sundays and on ordinar)^ 

 days. 



Purple, in Advent, Lent, Ember days, and Vigils. 

 Black, on Good Friday. 



Suitable Texts are subjoined ; but individual 

 piety will doubtless be able to find many more 



