Purple is a colour midway between red and blue - violet, I suppose - which also has symbolic meanings. As an adjective, it is used to describe a writing style which is excessively detailed, elaborate, ornate, or florid, and is often used in phrases like purple prose or purple passage. In addition, to be born in or of the purple means to be born of royalty, to be majestic, imperial or regal, because in Europe purple used to be worn only by royalty or by those in high office.