Garden parties are one of the traditions that began in the United Kingdom and France a number of centuries ago. Both the British and French versions have roots in the weekend getaways that were enjoyed by the upper classes. In the afternoons and evenings, the grounds of the estates (房产) would be softly lit with candles and lanterns, food prepared and set in long buffet tables for the guests, and comfortable seating always within reach.

People tended to dress up for these types of outdoor events, which made them quite a festive occasion. String bands often provided a graceful melody that served as one of the ways that the elegant tone of the occasion was set and maintained.

Today, the concept lives on around the world. No longer just an event for the well to do, the garden party is a weekend gathering in many neighborhoods. Neighbors are invited to come enjoy the outdoors by attending a cookout, complete with plenty of grilled food, lots of seating, and usually plenty to drink. It is not unusual for a few simple games to be available as well, depending on the size of the space. Music does not necessarily have to be provided by a live band anymore, although some people prefer the chatter and laughter of people enjoying themselves to any type of musical accompaniment.

The modern version can be very free form, or use a special occasion or theme as the basis for the event. For example, a birthday is a great reason to throw this type of party. Major patriotic holidays often provide the theme, with the decorations revolving around the national colors and other symbols. Fun times, such as Valentine’s Day or and Easter egg hunt, can also be the reason for putting together a party. As long as the event takes place outdoors, has people to interact, and includes food and drink, the event is complete.

There are 195 countries in the world today but almost none of them have purple on their national flag. So what’s wrong with purple? It’s such a popular color today. Why would no country use it in their flag? The answer is really quite simple. Purple was just for too expensive.

The color purple has been associated with royalty power and wealth for centuries. Queen Elizabeth I forbade anyone except close members of the royal family to wear it. Purple’s high status comes from the rarity and cost of the dye (染料)originally used to produce it. Fabric traders got the dye from a small sea snail (海螺)that was only found in the Tyre region of the Mediterranean. More than 10,000 snails were needed to create just one gram of purple; not to mention a lot of work went into producing the dye, which made purple dye so expensive.

Since only wealthy rulers could afford to buy and wear the color, it became associated with the royal family. Sometimes, however, the dye was too expensive even for royalty. Third century Roman Emperor Aurelio famously wouldn’t allow his wife to buy a scarf made from purple silk because it cost three times its weight in gold. A single pound of dye cost three pounds of gold, which equals 56,000 dollars today. Therefore, even the richest countries couldn’t spend that much having purple on their flags.

The dye became more accessible to lower-class about a century and a half ago. In 1856, 18-year-old English chemist William Henry Perkin accidentally created a man-made purple compound (化合物)while attempting to produce an anti-malaria drug. He noticed that the compound could be used to dye fabrics, so he patented the dye, manufactured it and got rich. Purple dye was then mass-produced so everybody could afford it.

Till now, a handful of new national flags have been designed and a few of them have chosen to use purple in their flag. So don’t be making any bets just yet.

Rajasthan is one of the most visited states in India. These top tourist places to visit in Rajasthan shouldn’t be missed.

Jaipur

The Pink City, Jaipur, is one of the Rajasthan’s most popular places. It has many famous forts（堡垒）and palaces, with most beautiful views and buildings. Staying in Jaipur is particularly enjoyable. Hotels are reasonably priced, which gives guests a very unforgettable experience!

Ranthambore National Park

Ranthambore National Park is one of the best places in India to spot a tiger in the wild. Compared with many national parks in India, it’s also easy to get to. This makes it very popular. Unfortunately, it has been facing lots of tourist problems. As well as nature, the park is home to the 10th century Ranthambore Fort. It’s a huge fort that contains ruined pavilions, monuments, and three Hindu temples. The park is full of history, having seen many wars played out on its land, and the rise and fall of many rulers.

Jaisalmer

A beautiful sandstone city rises magically from the sand dunes(沙丘)of the Thar desert. It looks like it’s straight out of an Arabian Nights fable. Its ancient fort, built in 1156, lets visitors view the city. It houses five palaces, several temples, as well as shops and other houses. Riding a camel into the desert is also a popular thing to do in Jaisalmer.

Jodhpur

Known as the Blue City for its blue painted buildings, Jodhpur is the second largest city in Rajasthan. Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur provides a good look at Jodhpur’s blue buildings. It’s one of the largest and most well-protected forts in India. Insides, there are numbers of palaces and a museum. It’s great to do nothing but relax here.