Symbolisism.

In the Elizabethan era everything about their appearance communicated a message about them. I love how the appearance of someone can almost tell a story. Everyone receives different messages about a person, creating lots of avenues to go down of perception.  However this may be a modern way of thinking! In the Elizabethan era it was important that everyone had the same idea of symbolism to keep people knew their hierarchy.

The rose: Held connotations of religion as it was often associated with Virgin Mary. The rose was also symbolic especially in Elizabeths portraits to refer to the tudor dynasty.

The pelican: the pelican was said to be of Elizabeth's favorite symbols to use in her portraits. As it was said to show her motherly sort of actions. As pelicans are known as very caring animals, they wee said to of pluck their own breasts in times where food was short to feed their young. I found this to be odd considering Elizabeth was never a mother that we know of. Perhaps referring to her commitment to England.

The Phoenix: The phoenix is a mythological creature that was said to never die but be consumed by fire then resurrect. Referring to how long Elizabeth lived in comparison to any of the others on the throne.

The ermine:Is of the weasel family it has a distinctive white tail and black tip featured in many of Elizabeth's portraits. It is often associated with royalty, nobility. It represents purity; only people of a royal status were once allowed to wear white fur.

Moons and Pearls: Moons and pearls were associated with purity, beauty and innocence due to an ancient rome tale. Of course Elizabeth being the ultimate virgin would be associated with all things pure and innocent yet powerful. As a moon lights up the sky preferably referring to Elizabeth.

The importance of Symbolism of that era is still shown when making reference to this era; such as the successful film `Elizabeth Director Shekhar Kapur,1998`.

In this film not only do we see the use of symbolism, but we see the use of makeup,hair,costume and colours to represent Elizabeth's reign. It could also be said that the film has cultural references to it Shekhar Kapur (director) is an indian film director and you can see indian influences throughout the film with he's use of bright colours and rich fabrics "lanterns and exotic silks"(Patti Bellantoni.  2005.  If It’s Purple, Someone’s Gonna Die: The Power of Colour in Visual Storytelling. Published Focal Press  - Page 123). Lanterns and silks are not known for being traditionally british possibly showing a cultural reference. Although this lavish way of life truly did exist in The Elizabethan era it could have been exaggerated, as it is a contemporary take on Elizabeth's reign.

The use of colour.

The costumes in the film some were lavish, and flamboyant. Elizabeth's costume's represented her growth as a person.

In the beginning of the film she is wearing a teal coloured gown with a coral sash, her hair is long, and flowing and looks soft. Her face looks soft,smooth and youthful. As she looks up her beloved Robert Dudley appears and they dance together intensely. When Elizabeth becomes Queen her coral sash is no longer worn. The colour orange in the film is used in numerous ways. Coral is used to show her youth and innocence.  She begins to wears a warmer orange once she is being considered for  the throne  "wears autumnal orange—a color that, like the season, implies maturity."(Patti Bellantoni.2005.If it's purple someone's gonna die. The power of colour in visual storytelling. Published Focal Press-Page 123). Implying to me that she is growing within herself.

"(Patti Bellantoni.2005.If it's purple someone's gonna die. The power of colour in visual storytelling. Published Focal Press-Page 123)

Once Elizabeth is crowned Queen we then see the rich colours and a change of texture in colour; from orange to gold. Gold to me is a much more colder, unapproachable colour than oranges. Even the texture of gold its smooth possibly representing perfection? Its cold, and often reflective; possibly implying to me that she will always be watched or what she does will be mirrored. She is now a role model for England, Ireland , and France. Gold represents, wealth,nobility, and status.

"The steps on which she ascends to her throne are carpeted in the same red worn by the influential courtiers who surround her. The red is not bright; it is deep and rich and carries

with it an aura of power."(Patti Bellantoni.2005.If it's purple someone's gonna die. The power of colour in visual storytelling. Published Focal Press). The red lips and red hair is also a representation of power as her hair is not yet this blinding red updo.

At a gathering Elizabeth with Robert Dudley is wearing a rusty orange, and a tangerine orange both with contrasting values the rusty orange representing maturity, and the tangerine orange representing youthfulness. Robert asks the Queen to marry him of which she replies "could any women say no?"(Elizabeth shekhar kapur 1998) Her lady's in waiting are also wearing orange at this point. Later in the film it is discovered that Dudley is already married. Making the colour orange become a connotation of youth, and naivety. 

After the heart breaking news Elizabeth is no longer seen wearing warm playful colors. The colours turn cold, like black,whites, and blues. Her hair becomes a bright golden red, with tight curls, placed on top of her head, adorned in jewls to show her wealth and social status. Her face was no longer a natural complexion glowing with innocence. Her face become masked in a white again a cool tone, paste. In a way to me representing she is seen as a God in a sense all powerful; no feelings, a sif the white paste is her persona and masks away any feelings. The red hair, cool flamboyant gowns, and strong makeup are all part of her identity and is part of what makes her as a character and as a historical figure so memorable. Possibly her look helped achieve self fulfillment.

From looking at colours in depth the most memorable colour of this era to me is red, within the hair and lips, the royal carpet and capes. This has inspired me to use a red lip to convey a message of power, wealth and nobility.