The association of the color purple with royalty has deep historical roots, primarily linked to the rarity and cost of the dye originally used to produce it. Here are some key points explaining this association:

1. Tyrian Purple: The most famous purple dye in ancient times was Tyrian purple, named after the Phoenician city of Tyre. This dye was made from the mucus of sea snails, specifically the Murex brandaris and Murex trunculus. The process of extracting and producing the dye was labor-intensive and required tens of thousands of snails to produce just a small amount of dye. This made Tyrian purple extremely expensive and valuable.
2. Exclusivity: Due to its high cost and the complex process involved in its production, only the wealthiest individuals, including royalty and high-ranking officials, could afford to wear garments dyed with Tyrian purple. In many ancient civilizations, including those of the Romans and the Persians, laws were enacted that restricted the wearing of purple clothing to emperors and other members of the royal family.
3. Symbolism of Wealth and Power: The rarity and cost of purple dye naturally led to its association with wealth, power, and luxury. By wearing purple, rulers and nobles visually asserted their status and authority. Over time, this association became culturally ingrained, further reinforcing the connection between purple and royalty.
4. Continuity Through History: This association persisted through the Middle Ages and into the Renaissance. For example, in medieval Europe, sumptuary laws often dictated who could wear certain colors and fabrics, with purple being reserved for the highest echelons of society.
5. Modern Perceptions: Even in contemporary times, the historical association of purple with royalty and nobility continues to influence its use in ceremonies, regalia, and branding associated with luxury and power.

Thus, the combination of the dye’s rarity, the exclusivity of its use, and its symbolic representation of wealth and power has cemented the color purple’s longstanding association with royalty.