PURPURE, in heraldry. The colour so called, which signifies purple, is in engraving represented by diagonal lines, from the left to the right. See HERALD-DRY, p. 441. and Plate CCXXVII. fig. ii. no 6.
It may serve to denote an administrator of justice, a lawgiver, or a governor equal to a sovereign: and, according to G. Leigh, if it is compounded with
| Or, | } { | Riches. |
| Arg. | Quietness. | |
| Gul. | Politics. | |
| Az. | Fidelity. | |
| Ver. | Cruelty. | |
| Sab. | Sadness. |