A new Mishna discusses the five different colours of women's menstrual blood. Red, black, the bright colour of the crocus, the colour of water, and the colour of diluted wine. Of course, the rabbis specify further, for example, is the red the colour of a wounded animal, or a wounded finger, etc.? They also consider which colours might be ritually impure and which would be considered to be ritually pure.
One of the main comparisons is between menstrual blood and the colour of blood when bloodletting. As Weill, there is much discussion of menstrual blood which is closer to black or green in colour.
How does one decide whether blood is ritually impure or not? The rabbis compare menstrual blood to leprous marks. Leprous marks are noted for their paleness; their colour determines whether or not they indicate ritual impurity.
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