Color circle superimposed on the spectral
It was the year AD 975 when the word ‘purple’ first appeared in the English language. Purple is a range of hues of color occurring between red and blue. In additive light combinations it occurs by mixing the primary colors red and blue in varying proportions. It is a secondary color because two colors (blue and red) make up this color.
In color theory, a ‘purple’ is defined as any non-spectral color between violet and red (excluding violet and red themselves).[2] The spectral colors violet and indigoare not purples according to color theory but they are purples according to common English usage since they are between red and blue.
Icon for the color purple
In art, purple is the color on the color wheel between magenta and violet and its tints and shades. This color, electric purple, is shown as an icon.
In human color psychology, purple is associated with royalty and nobility stemming from classical antiquity when Tyrian purple was only affordable to the elites. The Tyrian purple was derived from the secretion of a sea snail and only in meager amounts, enough to dye only the trim of a garment worn for ritual purposes. In nature the snails use the secretion as part of their predatory behavior and as an antimicrobial lining on egg masses. The snail also secretes this substance when it is poked or physically attacked by humans. Therefore the dye can be collected either by “milking” the snails, which is more labor intensive but is a renewable resource, or by collecting and then crushing the snails completely.
Mark Rothko yellow & purple
Common connotations of purple include royalty, imperialism, nobility, Lent, Easter, Mardi Gras. Let’s remember too, that the complement to purple is that famous “yellow.”
One interesting psychophysical feature of purple and violet that can be used to separate them is their appearance with increasing light intensity. As the intensity increases, violet appears to take on a far more blue hue as a result of what is known as the Bezold-Brücke shift. The same increase in blueness is not noted in purples.
Purple living room
Lüscher says about violet, The mentally mature will normally prefer one of the basic colors rather than violet. Basic being red, blue and yellow. The mentally and emotionally immature on the other hand, may prefer violet. He goes on to say, in the case of 1600 pre-adolescent school children, 75% preferred violet. Statistics embracing Iranians, Africans and Brazilian Indians showed a marked preference for this color as compared with Euro-Caucasians.
Dining room in purple
Through my years in design, I have found that this statement is more cultural than emotional. In my old standby text, Interior Design and Decoration by Sherrill Whiton, in Psychology of Color, Psychologists maintain that color preferences are determined by geographical location, religion and socioeconomic background.
What are your thoughts on the color purple? Do you surround yourself with purple? Do you wear purple?
Purple hair – give yourself a treat
Would you like purple hair, or a streak of purple hair?
Love Purple. We sold a Gorgeous Purple Sofa in our Antique Store in Greenwich a few years ago, we loved it. It had Beautiful Swans on the Arms in a Rich Mahogany Wood.
Thanks for the comment Phyllis. That purple sofa, bet is was gorgeous. Did you see my email? I asked what fabric and era the sofa belonged. I would have guessed either Federal or Victorian. I hope the color association doesn’t faze it out, it is so versatile.
Thank you so much, Gail, for another great color blog. Purple. I love it. I occassionally wear purple, accent with purple throughout the house and add splashes to my gardens with purples and yes yellows. The color, rich and yet warm. and soothing makes me smile if it’s done right. When my granddaughter requested her parents paint her bedroom in a fairly dark and bold purple I wondered if I would like it when I visited. It was stunning and absolutely Beautiful.Oh, I do have copy this blog also and store it away for my use in an upcoming Medieval Romance some day. Thanks again. Thoroughly enjoyed this one.
My wife, Gail, will tell you that I am a sweater guy and my favorite sweaters are purple. Wait! Are they purple or violet? I better ask her.
LOL. Yes, the sweaters are purple and violet. Thanks for the comment Tom.
I love purple! It’s a great color and just beautiful, no matter which shade!
Hey Casey, thank you for your comments, always. Purple is an exciting color. And versatile.
Hi Gail,
Every time I read your blog, I learn something. Thanks!
Monica
Hi Monica, thanks for your visit. Do you like to wear purple?
Thank you for your explanations about purple. I would love to wear some of those deep purples in the pictures you show, especially that purple on the dining room wall, but I rarely see such colors in the stores. A friend wanted a purple gown for her wedding and had a rough time finding one on the racks. Hindsight makes me wonder if she wouldn’t have been better off hiring a seamstress, picking a pattern then going to the NYC Garment District to buy fabric. Are the fabric stores as constrained on color selections as the stores seem to be?
Rhonda, thank you so much for your comments and questions. Purple is so in, what stores are you looking in? You can find purple linens, purple towels, purple blouses, even with bling . . . purple dresses, men’s purple shirts, sweaters, but alas, no wedding dresses, but gowns, yes, and bride’s maid’s dresses. Shall I go on? Fabric stores, where? New York fashion district will have it ALL! I bet the fifth floor furniture room settings in Bloomies, New York will have it. It was popular in the Art Deco era, but faded into oblivion in-between. In the 60’s industrial grays became the rage, but if you looked hard, you could see a glaze of purple in the gray. Purple is beautiful. Darks to lights, no matter. An eggplant wall painted in gloss is a knockout, but it needs a skilled craftsperson to apply. David Hicks, interior designer, in the 70’s loved the purples, the darks. Restaurants use darks to create the perfect romantic atmosphere. Flickering candles, soft accent lighting, white tablecloths dressed with polished gleaming silver, crystal glasses filled with sparkling bubbly wine . . . ummm, get the picture?
Morning, Gail. I love purple! It is the color of amethyst, my birthstone, and gives me a sense of connection to spirit. It is also the color associated with the sixth chakra, called Ajna, the point between the brows that literally commands our sixth sense. Purple is one of the colors that suits me well in clothing, so I’m drawn to the deeper hues in that direction. I’m past the point in life where I would consider dying my hair purple, but if I was sixteen again, I might consider it. In my garden, I naturally pair purple with yellow as the two are a smashing compliment. Thanks for another fabulous lesson in color!
Paula, all those goodies in your comments. Thanks. The point between the brows that commands our sixth sense? What do you mean? That’s a new one for me. If purple suits you, what is your season? are you summer? The red in your icon image is good. Is it a blue red or orange red? As for purple in the hair, if I get a chance, I have a friend who will put some, I said some, purple in my blonde hair. It’s an artsy thing, you know. I love learning . . .
Kristan, purple is rich. It waivers btw warm and cool.and has become popular. We use it in all kinds of spaces, it doesn’t have noisy wave lengths, it does not vibrate, so it is easy to live with. I recently okayed a purple for a client’s living room. It is beautiful, and they are enjoying it on their walls. I have used eggplant on client’s walls, dark like eggplant, but it is elegant. When you choose, consider the light in the room. The purple icon in my blog gives you some idea of the variations in the color. Any other questions, please give me a shout. Thanks for the comment.
I love wearing purple. Haven’t tried it for a room yet, but man. Those pictures make me want to. I wonder about the emotional impact of the color, too…any thoughts on that?