PanamaTimes

Friday, Jun 13, 2025

Why Saudi Arabia Rolled Out a Purple Carpet for Donald Trump Instead of Red

Blending tradition, symbolism, and national identity, Saudi Arabia’s purple carpet redefines diplomatic protocol in a bold cultural shift
Lavish banquets, high-ranking dignitaries including Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, roaring fighter jets from the Royal Saudi Air Force, and elaborate ceremonial displays—all the hallmarks of a grand diplomatic welcome were on display in Riyadh when former U.S. President Donald Trump visited Saudi Arabia.

Yet one striking deviation stood out: instead of the traditional red carpet seen around the world, Saudi officials rolled out a purple one.

The unusual choice of color is not merely aesthetic.

In Saudi Arabia, the purple carpet draws inspiration from the native desert landscape.

Each spring, rare wildflowers in shades of violet—resembling wild lavender—bloom across the northern deserts for a brief two-week period.

This seasonal phenomenon has become a cultural emblem.

Through this gesture, the kingdom aims to craft a ceremonial language of its own—one rooted in local tradition, identity, and regal dignity.

The purple carpet has been officially adopted since 2021 for welcoming heads of state and other dignitaries.

The Saudi Ministry of Culture explained that the color was chosen to reflect the hues of local desert flora, including lavender, basil, and the oliverium plant.

In modern Saudi cultural symbolism, purple represents generosity, hospitality, and the nation’s aspirational growth under its “Saudi Vision 2030” agenda.

The choice of color is complemented by cultural detailing.

The carpet edges are adorned with traditional Bedouin weaving patterns known as Al-Sadu, a form of heritage textile art recognized by UNESCO as an element of intangible cultural heritage.

Al-Sadu uses sheep or camel wool and is traditionally dyed in earthy tones such as red, brown, and black.

While historically used in tents and furnishings, the motifs now appear in modern decorative items across the Gulf.

Their inclusion on the ceremonial carpet adds layers of cultural pride, authenticity, and identity.

The Instagram page KSA EXPATS, which provides information about life in Saudi Arabia to over 54,000 followers, highlighted that this choice is deliberate and symbolic.

The brief but vivid desert bloom provides not just a visual reference but a philosophical one—linking natural beauty to national dignity and redefining ceremonial norms typically drawn from Western traditions.

The cultural-historical significance of the color purple adds further depth.

Historically, purple has been associated with royalty and wealth due to the rarity and high cost of producing natural purple dyes.

In embracing this color, Saudi Arabia not only differentiates itself from the global diplomatic playbook but also evokes historical prestige and aesthetic sophistication.

This shift is not exclusive to Trump’s visit.

Other prominent figures, including former U.S. President Joe Biden, have also walked the Saudi purple carpet.

The backdrop to this ceremonial evolution is the mountainous Asir region and its capital, Abha, where springtime coats the landscape in deep shades of purple.

This visual spectacle has become a central feature in Saudi Arabia’s efforts to rebrand itself as an innovative tourism destination.

Through these subtle yet powerful symbols—in color, pattern, and presentation—Saudi Arabia is signaling a redefinition of modern monarchy, deeply rooted in local culture while aligned with its global ambitions.
Newsletter

Related Articles

PanamaTimes
0:00
0:00
Close
UK and EU Reach Agreement on Gibraltar's Schengen Integration
Israeli Finance Minister Imposes Banking Penalties on Palestinians
U.S. Inflation Rises to 2.4% in May Amid Trade Tensions
Trump's Policies Prompt Decline in Chinese Student Enrollment in U.S.
Global Oceans Near Record Temperatures as CO₂ Levels Climb
Trump Announces U.S.-China Trade Deal Covering Rare Earths
Smuggled U.S. Fuel Funds Mexican Cartels Amid Crackdown
Protests Erupt in Los Angeles with Symbolic Flag Burning
Trump Administration Issues New Travel Ban Targeting 12 Countries
Man Group Mandates Full-Time Office Return for Quantitative Analysts
JPMorgan Warns Analysts Against Accepting Future-Dated Job Offers
Builder.ai Faces Legal Scrutiny Amid Financial Misreporting Allegations
Japan Grapples with Rice Shortage Amid Soaring Prices
Goldman Sachs Reduces Risk Exposure Amid Market Volatility
HSBC Chairman Mark Tucker to Return to AIA as Non-Executive Chair
Israel Confirms Arming Gaza Clan to Counter Hamas Influence
Judge Blocks Trump's Ban on International Students at Harvard
Trump Proposes Travel Ban on 'Uncontrolled' Countries
Panama Port Owner Balances US-China Pressures
Trump Administration Accused of Obstructing Deportation Cases
Trump’s China Strategy Remains a Geopolitical Puzzle
Eurozone Inflation Falls Below ECB Target to 1.9%
Call for a New Chapter in Globalisation Emerges
Blackstone and Rivals Diverge on Private Equity Strategy
Mayor’s Security Officer Implicated | Shocking New Details Emerge in NYC Kidnapping Case
Bangkok Ranked World's Top City for Remote Work in 2025
Denmark Increases Retirement Age to 70, Setting a European Precedent
Netanyahu Accuses Western Leaders of 'Emboldening Hamas'
Escalating Trade Tensions and Market Reactions
OnlyFans Reportedly in Talks for $8 Billion Sale
JBS Gains Shareholder Approval for U.S. Stock Listing
Booz Allen Hamilton to Cut 2,500 Jobs Amid Federal Spending Reductions
Trump Signs Executive Orders to Accelerate Nuclear Energy Development
Harvard Temporarily Blocks Trump Administration's International Student Ban
Nippon Steel Forms Partnership with U.S. Steel, Headquarters to Remain in Pittsburgh
Trump Expands Tariff Threats to Apple and Samsung Devices
Oracle and OpenAI Plan $40 Billion Nvidia Chip Purchase for AI Data Center
Trump Threatens 50% Tariff on EU Goods, Markets React
The Daily Debate: The Fall of the Dollar — Strategic Reset or Economic Self-Destruction?
Former FBI Director James Comey Questioned by Secret Service Over Social Media Post
Mexican Influencer Valeria Márquez Killed During Livestream in Suspected Femicide
CIA Files Reveal Klaus Barbie's Role in Bolivian Drug Trade and Dictatorship Support
Daughter of crypto boss escapes Paris kidnap in latest in series of attacks
Why Saudi Arabia Rolled Out a Purple Carpet for Donald Trump Instead of Red
Quantum Computing Threatens Bitcoin Security
Historic Papal Conclave Set to Commence in Rome
Huge Copper, Gold, and Silver Discovery in Argentina and Chile — But the Profits Go Abroad
Trump Rules Out Third Term, Names JD Vance and Marco Rubio as Potential Successors
Mexico Says ‘No’ to U.S. Troops: President Sheinbaum Rejects Trump’s Offer to Fight Cartels
Trump Shares AI-Generated Image of Himself as… Pope, Prompting Outrage Reaction
×