What gives Tyrian purple dye its brilliant color--the element bromine (chemical symbol: Br). Bromine compounds were first extracted from a tropical sea snail in ancient times and used in purple dyes for fabrics. The color was sometimes called imperial or royal purple. This engaging narrative describes the discovery of bromine, its place on the periodic table, its similar and different characteristics with the other halogens in group 17, and its electron configuration. A thorough discussion of bromine ions, the process of steaming out in preparing pure bromine, and the various bromine compounds and their industrial uses are also included.