Have just learnt the hard way that violet (purple) is unlucky for artists in Italy. They should teach this in dramaschools all over the world, just in case anyone foreign ever acts there.
Had to borrow a cardigan from costume because it is considered so unlucky. I googled this to confirm and google says “We advise against violet colour if you are an artist: in shows and performances it brings bad luck”.
So my lovely purple cardigan is going to be kept in the drawer at my hotel. And I have also noticed my mobile phone cover is purple too… Guess it is staying at home too.
I would like to know why this is the case for artists, that they should be denied such a colour. Please tell me… somebody tell me.
I wonder if it is that one day an actor wore purple robes on stage in Rome and someone from the church felt mocked so murdered him? In which case, that is unlucky.
I would guess that it relates to purple being the colour of kings – the Roman republic started when they kicked out a bad king and since then the republic had an aversion to the colour – wearing it was seen as a challenge to the authority of the republic, which lasted a few hundred years. Although the Romans later had Emperors, they weren’t, *technically* kings, (Imperator being a Roman military honour). Later it was still worn by priests of the Roman Church, (Catholicism), and they banned theatre for 40 days before Easter. (don’t ask me why 40, that’s a Christian mad thing they usually do in deserts) So presumably actors didn’t like that, didn’t get paid. and so the bad luck connection.
Yes, I’m afraid I’m single.
It’s because in ancient times purple was the colour worn by priests during Lent and during Lent theatre performances were prohibited. So purple = Lent = no work for actors = hunger. Italians are pretty superstitious but let’s be honest, theatre all over the world is riddled with superstitions too. For example, always refer to “The Scottish Play” (hmmm I wonder if Italian actors know not to name it if they work abroad?!?) and insist that actors “break a leg” to name two.
The Artist Formerly Or Possibly Still Known As Prince would struggle I imagine.
I just wanted to add – love your work. Great to see Aussies doing their thing overseas.
So glad this is not a belief here in Aus! I’m a drama teacher in Sydney about to begin rehearsals for our new production and I know purple will feature prominently in our production! Not only do the kids know its my favourite colour, but it is many of theirs also! Whilst some traditions and beliefs add colour to the world of theatre, some I’m glad I don’t believe in!