The Vibrant Colors of Minoan Crete and Their Unexpected Origins

/ Rei Arkangelakis / 6 Comments

From a blue that rivaled sky and sea to a purple befitting of royalty, the world of the Minoans was undeniably vibrant. The most prominent hues used in their frescoes in particular included black, white, red, yellow, blue, and green. Pink was the one color that was virtually nonexistent in their art, clothing, and makeup. But where did such striking shades come from? They were all naturally sourced, but the origins of specific colors like purple might surprise you…

Black

In order for the Minoans to create a black pigment as deep as the midnight sky, shale was primarily broken up into a fine dust, then mixed with a binder like olive oil or animal fat. Shale is a fine-grained, clastic sedimentary rock that’s formed from mud. There were and still are plenty of shale formations all across the island, so this color was readily available. Additionally, the oxidation of other minerals like azurite could have very well been used in place of shale. When it came to eye and eyebrow makeup, kohl (a powder made from crushed minerals like lead sulfide or charcoal) was used by Minoan women and men alike.

a piece of shale
a piece of shale

White

Stark white was sourced from slaked lime. Also known as calcium hydroxide, slaked lime is a pale powdery substance formed when quicklime (calcium oxide) is mixed with water. In addition, talc and calcium silicate were used to paint pottery.

some slaked lime
some slaked lime

Red

More of a reddish-brown, hematite (iron oxide – rust) was the most common source for red, as well as red ochre. When it came to coloring fabrics, dye was extracted from the madder plant’s (Rubia tinctorum) roots.

a piece of red ochre
a piece of red ochre

Yellow

A naturally-occurring earth pigment, their lively yellow hue featured in frescoes and textiles alike was made from yellow ochre. A more golden variation that happened to be highly UV-resistant was a plant dye derived from weld (Reseda luteola). The most vibrant yellow tint of them all was made by crushing saffron. The stigmas from the crocus flower, saffron was more so used for its medicinal and ritualistic properties by midwives and healers. Mineral pigments like realgar and orpiment produced a more yellowish-orange color.

a handful of saffron
a handful of saffron

Blue

Blue, Egyptian blue in particular, was more of a synthetic pigment made by combining ground-up silica, lime, copper, and alkali and then firing it. A natural blue mineral from a metavolcanic rock called glaucophane (or blueschist) was also utilized. The bright blue gemstone lapis lazuli was another viable option.

glaucophane, a shimmery blue-green rock
glaucophane

Green

To produce green, the Minoans simply combined yellow and blue in varying amounts to create a wide spectrum of green tints.

Purple

Just as the other colors above, purple was indeed naturally-sourced. But it wasn’t from a mineral, plant, or stone. Instead, it was derived from the gland of a mollusk: the murex snail, which was and is still abundant along the Cretan coast. Unfortunately, these sea snails were usually crushed to extract their gland secretions. But what actually yielded the prized purple dye was when it was oxidized and heated. This color has always had an association with royalty, so it’s no surprise that it was a symbol of prestige to Minoans. Archaeological evidence (namely a dye installation on Pefka) suggests that the Minoans were producing Tyrian purple centuries before the Phoenicians. While the snails could be kept alive for multiple dye extractions, they were often killed. This pigment could be modified to also produce a redder shade. Clearly, prestige came at a price, but that didn’t stop the Minoans!

a closeup shot of a murex snail shell
a closeup of a murex snail shell

Sources

Minoan Mantinada of the Month / Μινωική Μαντινάδα του Μήνα #2: A Saffron Gatherer’s Musings

/ Rei Arkangelakis / 1 Comment

A Saffron Gatherer’s Musings

Original Greek Version:

Η χέρα μου βαμμένη βαθυκίτρινη σαν ήλιο.
Χρυσοχέρα με φωνάζουν στην Θήρα και στην Κνωσό.

Τα μαλλιά μου πάντα θα μοσχοβολάνε σαν τη γη.
Θα μαζεύω σαφράν μέχρι την τελική μου πνοή.

Transliteration:

I héra mou vamméni vathykítrini san ílio.
Hrysohéra me fonázoun stin Thíra kai stin Knosó.

Ta malliá mou pánta tha moschovoláne san ti gi.
Tha mazévo safrán méhri tin telikí mou pnoí.

English Translation:

Μy hand, like the sun, is tinted yellow.
Golden-handed they call me in Knosso.

My tresses will always smell like the earth.
I’ll gather saffron ’til, with it, I merge.

a fresco of a boy picking saffron

Note: This Cretan folk poem is inspired by Minoan saffron gatherer frescoes. I’d imagine something as time-consuming as saffron gathering would make it so a saffron gatherer’s fingers were continually tinted deep yellow. There is a level of precision and dexterity that is necessary due to the dainty and valuable nature of crocus stigmas, so I’d also like to think these gatherers were determined and patient people. Also, “χρυσοχέρα: hrysohéra” (golden-handed) is a common descriptor used amongst Greeks for someone who is good with their hands.

Minoan Mantinada of the Month / Μινωική Μαντινάδα της του Μήνα #1: An Aspiring Sailor’s Dream

/ Rei Arkangelakis / 2 Comments

Today, I’m starting a series called Minoan Mantinada of the Month, where I’ll share a Minoan-inspired mantinada in both Greek and English at the start of each month (alliteration semi-intended). I’ll implement the Cretan Greek dialect at times, but because I’m fairly rusty, that won’t always be the case. I figure it’s a unique way to get a glimpse of Minoan life that unites the ancient and modern Cretan cultures.

A mantinada (μαντινάδα: “morning song”) is a Cretan-style folk poem that’s usually recited with the backing of a lyra or laouto. It’s comprised of a rhyming couplet with two 15-syllable lines. However, I’ll be writing the English translation in 10-syllable lines to avoid overly long lines. And it’s important to know that the meaning may vary a bit due to translation limitations while also needing to adhere to a rhyme.

An Aspiring Sailor’s Dream

Original Greek Version:

Δελφίνια με συνοδεύουν και ο Νότος ευλογεί
το μοναδικό μου όνειρο από μικρό παιδί:

να σύρω τα δυό μου πόδια στις ακτές της Αιγύπτου
αν η Θεά το επιτρέψει, όπως τον μπαμπά μου.

Transliteration:

Delfínia me synodévoun kai o Nótos evlogeí
to monadikó mou óneiro apó mikró paidí:

na sýro ta dyó mou pódia stis aktés tis Aigýptou
an i Theá to epitrépsei, ópos ton babá mou.

English Translation:

Dolphins escort me and Notos (south wind) decrees
my one and only childhood reverie:

for these two soles to tread on Egypt’s sand,
if Goddess wills it, just as my dad had.

Note: This Cretan folk poem is about a Minoan sailor’s first time at sea on his first trade expedition who always dreamed of what Egypt would be like. He is so eager that it feels like both the sea creatures and wind are conspiring for him (and hopefully the Goddess too). He is honored to walk in his father’s footsteps and feels closer to him as a result.