Purple Dye

The color purple plays a significant role in the traditions of engineering schools across Canada. This fascination with purple is commonly attributed to the story of the sinking of the Titanic, in which the purple-clad engineers remained on board to delay the ship's sinking. It is common for engineers across schools in Canada to dye themselves purple using the medical dye Gentian Violet, especially during events such as Frosh Week. At the University of Toronto, students will dye themselves purple during Frosh week and for the Pride parade.