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Purim
The Jewish day of costumes and masks: queens, kings, clowns and superheroes in every colour, and baskets of sweets.
The colours of Purim
Purim recalls the story in the Book of Esther, in which the Jews of Persia were saved from a plot to destroy them. It is the most playful day of the Jewish year. Children and many adults come to synagogue in costume to hear the story read, and shake noisemakers at the villain's name. There is no set colour, and that is the point: the story turns on hidden identities and sudden reversals, so people dress as someone else. Queen Esther's purple and gold, clowns, animals and film characters fill the streets, and Israeli towns hold a parade called the Adloyada. Friends exchange baskets of food wrapped in bright cellophane, with hamantaschen, three-cornered pastries filled with dark poppy seed or jam.
#6A2C91Esther purpleRoyal dress of the queen, a favourite costume.#E2B52FCrown goldPaper crowns and royal trim.#E0312FClown redMasks, noses and noisemakers.#20B2AARibbon turquoiseWrapping of the food baskets.Values are fair approximations, not official shades.
Read about the colours
More colours tied to Purim
Written by the Rang desk with AI assistance. Background: "Purim" on Wikipedia. Customs differ from family to family and place to place. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.