Meaning of Colors

Meaning of Colors in the Elizabethan Era Clothing
Elizabethan women and men were not allowed to wear whatever color of clothes that they liked! It did not matter how wealthy they were - the color, fabric and material of their clothes were dictated by their rank, status or position and this was enforced by English Law! These laws about the color of clothes that men and women were allowed to wear in the Elizabethan era were called Sumptuary Laws. They were designed to limit the expenditure of people on clothes - and of course to maintain the social structure of the Elizabethan Class system!

Colors of Cloth in the Elizabethan Era
The range of colors used for producing expensive clothes were produced by complicated dyeing processes. Expensive fabrics were imported from abroad. The dyes used for coloring these clothes were expensive. The brightest or darkest colours were more expensive to produce and therefore limited to higher status clothing. The color and its brightness helped determine the dye’s value and the price of the garment. The lower classes wore colors of yellow, russet (a reddish brown color), orange, green, pale blue and pink. For additional acts and information about the dyes and colorants used during the Elizabethan era please click the following link:

Dye

Symbolic meaning of colors
The symbolic meaning of colors during the Elizabethan era were also important and their meanings were also well understood. The meaning behind colors symbolised events which occurred in history, many of which dated back, and related to, biblical meanings of colors. The Christian meaning of colors were highly symbolic. The meaning of colors during the Elizabethan era therefore represented many aspects of their life.

The Meaning of Colors

Wear the wrong color clothing in the Elizabethan Era and lose money, property, titles or life!
The English Sumptuary Laws were well known by all of the English men and women. And the Law was strictly obeyed! The penalties for violating Sumptuary Laws could be harsh - fines, the loss of property, title and even life! People living in the Elizabethan era only wore clothes that they were allowed to wear - by Law!

Elizabethan Sumptuary Laws

The Meaning of Colors
The meaning of colors and what they represented during the Elizabethan era covered a variety of elements and issues:

• The meaning of colors related to status, position and rank

• The meaning of colors related to class - upper classes and lower classes

• The meaning of colors were so important that the violation of the Sumptuary Laws could lead to death!

• The Christian and Biblical references gave a symbolic meaning of colors