Why is the cloth purple during Advent?

Answer 1

Purple symbolizes repentance and fasting. Purple is also the color of royalty, connoting the anticipation of the coming 'King'. However, many churches have recently begun to use blue instead of purple, as a means of distinguishing Advent from Lent.

Answer 2

The purple coloration for the shirts and cassocks of Bishops is likewise something whose origins are shrouded in mystery. Some claim that it is because it is the color of penitence and that bishops are supposed to be reminders of that. Most costume historians believe it is because in the Roman Empire, purple was the color reserved for royalty as purple dye was very expensive. Since bishops have sometimes been called "Princes of the Church,"

Priests wear purple during advent and lent as a sign of penance which they represent, being a preparation for Christmas and Easter respectively. The 4 weeks (advent) and 40 days (lent) help us in preparing for the two greatest "celebrations" in the Roman Catholic calendar and invite us to repent for our sins and reconcile with Our Lord. The priests wears rose vestments only in the 3rd week of advent (even the candle in the wreath is rose-coloured) Gaudete Sunday and the 4th week of Lent (called Laudete Sunday). The two symbolize rejoice because celebration time is approaching

You can also see references to the color purple as both royalty and penance in the Gospel of Mark 15:17 as Jesus was clothed in purple by the Roman guards when Jesus was crowned (royalty) with a crown of thorns (suffering) .

Answer 3

Advent is often used as the time to prepare for the 'Second Coming of Christ' the judge whist commemorating his 'First Coming' as saviour at Christmas.

The usual liturgical colour for Advent in western Christianity is either blue or purple. Purple is normally used for hangings around the church, on the clergy's vestments and the Tabernacle. Purple is traditionally associated with solemnity and somberness which is more fitting to the repentant Lent.

Blue (sarum blue) is the more traditional colour used representing hopefulness.

On the third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday) the colour may be changed to rose pink referencing the rose used on the fourth Sunday of Lent (L.aetare Sunday)

Answer 4

Purple is used because it is considered a color of penance. A penitential color is used during Advent because we should be penitently, but joyfully, awaiting the first coming of Christ at Christmas, and by extension the second coming of Christ.

Answer 5

The violet color of Advent is a symbol of repentance and sorrow for sin. In Advent we prepare for the coming of the Savior through repentance, the first sentence out of Our Blessed Lord's mouth in several of the Gospel includes Repent!