Symbolic Meaning of Colours in Coches
Black: Considered the greatest colour of power it is symbolic of both life and death. Said to be the first and last thing a person is aware of it is the beginning and the end and holds sway over everything in between. It is the imperial colour and only the imperial line dresses purely in black. Royals hold their own colours depending upon throne but all wear some black to show their connection to the imperial line. While not truly illegal for noble or commoner to wear black it is considered highly unpatriotic and fellow citizens usually take care of the problem before it becomes an embarrassment to whatever royal or imperial might be offended. When Tithon Bear Claw came to power in late 257 B.N. (Before Name) he flew his personal flag of a bear claw against a black background for his flag of office. White: In antiquity it was a colour of mourning but was replaced in the late 3rd century B.N.
White: still holds various places of symbolic meaning depending on area and local culture but the only nationally recognized use in within marriage ceremony where it is worn as an over robe by both male and female to show they are pure to each other(have not had intercourse between them. Couples will wear any colour they wish as an over robe if there has been congress between then, rare but not unheard of.). Generally recognized as a symbol of purity it is also common for children to wear during ceremonies and formal gatherings, particularly within the Hidden Throne Land. On the other side of things white is considered one of the two imperial colours of the Dragon Clan and as such any true Cochainian would never wear an outfit of entirely white, although this may mean only a coloured hemline or buttons.
Red: (dark red only) Red is the royal colour of the Ruby Throne and it a secondary royal colour to the imperial throne whose Red Lion is well recognized. Aside from its royal ties red is considered the colour of warriors, blood, and fire. While warriors can wear any colour they wish without persecution, almost all will wear at least a little red. The flames of the warrior symbol can traditionally be in any colour as long as it includes red. The warrior’s mark, which every warrior receive upon initiation is a red circular mark on the chest and is said to represent all the blood they’ve spilt and can spill. It is reminecent of war and power but also of the life that blood provides and is a popular festival colour. It is also used in the marriage ceremony, colouring the under dress of both male and female if they are still virgins and even though it is strongly cultural to marry as virgins for both males and females red has never become a sign of purity.
Bright Red: Ever since the imperial throne was divided in y. 683 u.c. (Year 683 of united Coches) and Winches fled to set up his own rebel kingdom bright red has been the colour of the Dragon Clan, the perpetual civil rebel kingdom of Coches. It is considered near treason for any true Cochainian citizen to fly, use, or wear bright red. To Dragons it is considered a colour of vitality and honour, a pure strain of the imperial line which has dulled (dark red) over time and needs to be revitalized to its pure and original power. To them it is matched with the purest of white as an imperial colour.
Green: Green is the colour of the Emerald Throne and also a symbol of vitality and life. A popular colour at the end of winter and the beginning of spring it is life to all as the world revitalizes itself. While red might denote the blood of life, blood can not run without the substance of life in food. Green is considered a very powerful colour and often used for babies and young children. Also considered a favorable colour for expectant mothers. Very common for festivals and celebrations in general, even the imperial family can been seen highlighted in green on such occasions. It is also a (perhaps surprisingly) common colour for warriors to wear.
Blue: No national symbolic meaning various shades are used as royal colours in both the Crystal throne and the Wave throne. The Crystal throne uses a pure slightly deep blue heavily accented with an opalescent creamy silk making both colours royal yet neither off limits to nobles. The Wave throne uses nearly every shade of blue often highlighted with the same opalescent dye that is revered in the Crystal throne.
Pale Blue: This usurped white as a mourning colour around the same time that black became the imperial colour. The colour the winning army marched under in the first civil war they so decimated the opposing army that the mourners donned the colour. It may have died out after that if not for the Fiz flower, a pale blue flower with poisonous pollen that dyes the Blue Waters River several weeks out of the year making it deadly to any person who drinks it. Used exclusively to signify death it is considered a not only a colour of mourning but also of power over death, worn by those of the legal system able to hand down the death sentence. It’s also used by the Imperial and Royal families to show their rulership, but only worn during capital trials or mourning. It has precise rules of usage during mourning, with half of the face (down the midline) for a husband or wife, the bottom half of the face for a child, the neck included if its male and the eyes lined for a girl, and the top half of the face for a parent, the jaw line included for a father and the lips for a mother. The hands and feet are always painted.
Gold: The royal colour of the Trillium (the Gold Throne), it is used symbolically to represent rulership in general. Also used to represent law and justice it gives the edges of every edict and judgement handed down by every court in the land a metallic sheen. Judges wear a gold trimmed robe or sash when in court and injustices are usually protested by gold or gold rimmed signs, banners, and the clothes of the protesters.
Purple: While still retaining a little of its royal heritage, it is still the royal colour in the Hidden Throne land, it is used more as a colour for nobility. Popular among the nobility as a sign of title it is also a common colour of warriors and is the official colour of the few Knights that the Cochainian culture supports. Not overly popular for most festival and ceremonies it is used commonly and even by the lower classes for birthdays, namedays, and anniversaries.