This was not just dictated by the wealth of the person, it also reflected their social standing. The meaning of colors during the Elizabethan era represented many aspects of their life - the social, religious, biblical and Christian symbolism was reflected in the color Indigo.

The Symbolic and Religious Meaning of the color Indigo
Some interesting facts and information about the symbolic, religious, Christian and Biblical meaning of the color Indigo

• The color of Indigo was a deep, rich dark blue
• Sometimes referred to as Royal Blue with its obvious connotation
• The symbolic meaning of the color indigo was power, importance and wealth
• Indigo with the color blue has a Biblical meaning symbolizing heavenly grace. The Virgin Mary is often depicted wearing indigo or blue clothing
• The source was the indigo plants and the dye was imported from India - extremely expensive and used to produce the color indigo
• Indigo dye held colors fast and this rich color was worn by the wealthy and not to be confused with the color blue which was produced by using cheap blue dye obtained from woad
• People who were allowed to wear the color indigo during the Elizabethan era, as decreed by the English Sumptuary Laws, were Royalty, Nobility and members of the Council

The Dye used to produce the color Indigo
Some interesting facts and information about the dyes used to produce the color. Indigo dye held colors fast and this rich color was worn by the wealthy and should not to be confused with the color blue which was produced by using cheap blue dye obtained from woad. The source was the indigo plants ( Indigofera tinctoria of India )and the dye was imported from India at great expense. Indigo dye was produced by a process of fermentation, filtering and finally drying into cakes of dye.