The Red Badge of Courage
What did the purple and gold colors connote?
What?
What?
"He basks in his accomplishments, and as he does he is bathed "in purple and gold." This new color combination is used in its historical connotation of royalty. Henry has now become a hero. Without much fanfare, from himself or others, but still he seems to ascend ranks with these colors."
http://www.gradesaver.com/the-red-badge-of-courage/study-guide/section6/