Why Don’t We See Purple on Flags?

A brief history of the most expensive color of the ancient world and how its connection to power kept it away from national symbols

The flag of Dominica is one of the two flags that feature purple. Source: Wikimedia

Look at the flag of Dominica (not to be confused with the Dominican Republic) closely.

You’ll notice that the standard has a parrot with a purple chest and head. In fact, this flag is one of only two worldwide to depict purple. The other, Nicaragua’s flag, includes a rainbow with a barely visible streak of the color, requiring a magnifying glass to spot.

Why are there only two countries that have purple in their flags, and they aren’t very noticeable?

Understanding why purple is missing from flags is easier if we closely examine the color’s history and the challenges involved in making the pigment, which made it extremely expensive and highly coveted. The color was associated with royalty and was a symbol of luxury, making it almost inaccessible for a commoner.

Let us take a trip back in time to the Mediterranean world during the Bronze Age to learn about the origins of the purple and learn why its prestig…