Lifestyle

What Does the Color Purple Mean in the State of Texas?

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Tony Maples Photography

 

The color purple indicates royalty when worn by Kings and Queens. The deep, blue-red combo designates nobility, power, and wealth. In Biblical days, only the high and mighty could afford anything purple. This particular tint can calm the mind, uplift the spirit, and denote spirituality in the eyes of the beholder. You’ll find it in a church’s stained glass windows.

Lighter shades can designate romance and a feminine side. Darker shades may cause a gloomy feeling. Names such as lavender, plum, violet, orchid, wine, and eggplant are used to describe the various tints of this shade. Most people relate to the color in gentle ways. They either like it or not. Some have no reaction at all to the hue, but in Texas, purple fences or purple cows can be disturbing to the observer.

Photo: Pixabay

Have you ever seen a purple cow? No? If you see a purple cow, you may have had too many Texas beers.

Photo: KTEK via MyEastTex

How about a purple fence? If you see one of these in Texas, you may be trespassing.

Yep, that’s right. Meet the Texas way of saying, “no trespassing.” Texas can’t take credit for the colorful warning sign. Actually, Arkansas started it way back in 1989 and Texas decided it was a good idea in 1997. Have you ever noticed signs with bullet holes? It seems we Texans enjoy shooting at signs for target practice. A novel idea, but you can’t traipse down a country road and not see a few holey signs.

What’s an owner to do? Signs are costly. How about a purple fence instead? And get this, if you wander into a purple-fenced area, you are breaking the law. While hiking through the Texas Hill Country, if you see one of these fences, you’ll know you’re on private property. Most landowners will politely ask you to leave. If you don’t respond in a polite manner, he or she may get their shotgun, or maybe call the sheriff.