and other ritual items, but could also symbolize sin. Scarlet was one of the chief colors used to decorate the bridal chamber in Jewish weddings, in which large colored sheets of scarlet overlaid with gold were hung. As part of the Yom Kippur Temple service, a man would lead away the scapegoat and, when he reached a precipitous ravine some distance away, he would tie scarlet thread to its horns, before pushing it down to its death. See also Alchermes Natural dye Porphyrophora References Bibliography Further reading M. Spofek, Z. Mendel & Y. Ben-Dov (2016). "Natural history of Kermesidae (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha) in Israel", Journal of Natural History, 30: 1-14. External links The torah process of curing tzoraath; using tolaath shani תולעת שני, the Kermes dye (Kehuna.org) Wool dyed with the scale insect Kermes echinatus (David Iluz) Kermesidae Animal dyes Insect products