Periwinkle is a light purplish-blue color. It sits between blue and purple on the color wheel. This leads to an ongoing debate – does periwinkle count as a shade of purple or is it its own distinct color? There are arguments on both sides. In this article, we’ll look at the different definitions of purple, examine the technical specifications of periwinkle, and explore why there is confusion over whether periwinkle is a type of purple.
Defining Purple
Purple is tricky to define because it sits at the intersection of two primary colors – red and blue. In basic color theory, purple is any color between red and blue. But there are varying shades of purple, from light lavender to deep eggplant.
Here are some key things to know about the color purple:
- On the RGB color model, purple is made by combining red and blue light.
- On the RYB color model, purple is made by mixing red and blue pigments.
- Purple is one of the tertiary colors on the color wheel, alongside orange and green.
- There are varying shades of purple, from light to dark.
- Purple is a spectral color, meaning it has its own wavelength of light.
So purple exists as a broad spectrum, not one defined color. This loose definition creates ambiguity around colors like periwinkle that sit close to purple.
The Specifications of Periwinkle
Periwinkle is a pale indigo color with hints of blue and violet. Here are its technical color specifications:
- Hex Code: #CCCCFF
- RGB: (204,204,255)
- CMYK: (20,20,0,0)
- HSV: (240°, 20%, 100%)
As these specs show, periwinkle contains more blue than red/purple. It sits between blue and violet on the color wheel.
But with 20% red in the CMYK model, periwinkle does have purple undertones. The human eye struggles to see colors as absolutes. So there is room for interpretation on whether periwinkle appears more blue or purple.
Periwinkle in Nature
Periwinkle appears in nature which also influences how we perceive the color. Here are some examples of periwinkle in the natural world:
- Periwinkle flowers – There are over 400 species of periwinkle flowers that range from light to dark blue-violet.
- Rocks and minerals – Some forms of feldspar, tourmaline, and fluorite contribute to the periwinkle color.
- Seas and skies – The brackish water where rivers meet the sea often appears periwinkle.
- Butterflies – Butterflies like the cabbage white and European skipper have a blue-violet iridescence.
When periwinkle appears in nature, especially alongside flowers and butterflies, it takes on more purple overtones. This can reinforce the perception that periwinkle is in the purple family.
Cultural Associations with Periwinkle
How cultures use and classify the periwinkle color also sways our interpretation of it. Here are some of the main cultural associations with periwinkle:
- Spirituality – In Catholicism, periwinkle represents the Virgin Mary. It is considered a sacred, spiritual color.
- Fashion – In the mid-20th century, periwinkle became a popular color for formalwear like bridesmaid’s dresses.
- Art – Many Post-Impressionist painters used the periwinkle blue color in their work, especially landscapes.
- Commerce – Periwinkle is the signature color for brands like Lilly Pulitzer and Anne Klein.
When periwinkle is given importance in religion, fashion, art, and branding, it takes on a distinct identity beyond just a blue or purple shade.
Periwinkle vs. Lavender and Lilac
To add to the confusion, periwinkle is often compared to similar light purple shades like lavender and lilac:
| Color | Hex Code | RGB |
|---|---|---|
| Periwinkle | #CCCCFF | (204,204,255) |
| Lavender | #B57EDC | (181,126,220) |
| Lilac | #C8A2C8 | (200,162,200) |
While all three colors sit in the light purple family, periwinkle has more blue than lavender and lilac. Periwinkle also appears brighter and more saturated than its counterparts.
Periwinkle Dye and Paint
When periwinkle becomes a dye or paint color, it often shifts more towards purple.
Periwinkle dye used for clothing and textiles generally has a more purple or violet undertone compared to the blue periwinkle found in nature.
Periwinkle watercolors and oil paints also appear more vividly violet/purple when used by artists. This could be due to the pigmentation needed to create the periwinkle color.
So when periwinkle becomes a manufactured product for dyeing or painting, it loses some of its blue subtleties.
Periwinkle Gemstones
There are a few gemstones that exhibit the periwinkle color:
- Tanzanite – This rare violet-blue gemstone named after Tanzania shows periwinkle undertones.
- Blue Apatite – Apatite crystals can display different shades of blue, some close to a periwinkle hue.
- Blue Chalcedony – A type of quartz mineral with a waxy luster. Pale blue chalcedony edges towards periwinkle.
- Fluorite – This colorful mineral comes in all shades, including periwinkle blue-violets.
As natural gemstones, these periwinkle-colored varieties take on more of a blue hue. But mineral sheen can also give off purple effects. So even as gemstones, periwinkle’s classification is still nebulous.
Periwinkle Crayons
Crayon brands have designated periwinkle as its own, standalone color:
- Crayola – Periwinkle crayon debuted in 1958. It has been featured in 200+ crayon sets.
- Rose Art – Their vibrant periwinkle crayon is more purple than Crayola’s blue version.
- Prismacolor – Their periwinkle crayon is described as a “pale blueviolet.”
Giving periwinkle its own crayon helps position it as distinctly different from blue and purple. But crayon brands still vary on whether periwinkle leans more blue or violet.
Periwinkle vs. Indigo
Indigo is another color close to violet that periwinkle is often compared to. Indigo dye comes from the leaves of the tropical indigo plant. Here’s how they differ:
| Color | Hex Code | RGB |
|---|---|---|
| Periwinkle | #CCCCFF | (204,204,255) |
| Indigo | #4B0082 | (75,0,130) |
Indigo contains only 9% red while periwinkle has 20%. Indigo also has more blue at 50% compared to periwinkle’s 26%. So indigo appears darker and deeper than light periwinkle.
Is Periwinkle a Tertiary Color?
Most color classification systems identify purple as a tertiary color, made by combining the primary colors red and blue. Periwinkle contains hints of both red and blue. But as a lighter, subtler mix of these two primaries, periwinkle is less defined as a distinct tertiary color compared to deeper purples.
Periwinkle’s tertiary status remains vague. Some color experts consider periwinkle to be a ‘secondary tertiary color’ or an ‘offshoot of lavender and lilac.’ These fuzzy classifications keep periwinkle in limbo between purple and blue.
Periwinkle in Marketing
Periwinkle’s unique color qualities make it a popular choice in marketing and branding:
- Youthful – Periwinkle has a pleasant, energetic feeling associated with youth.
- Feminine – Its soft, delicate nature comes across as a feminine color.
- Soothing – The subtle, cool tones are often described as soothing and calm.
- Vintage – Periwinkle has a nostalgic, vintage vibe harkening to the 1960s and 70s.
Many lifestyle brands leverage these attributes to make periwinkle part of their visual identity and color palette:
| Brand | How Periwinkle is Used |
|---|---|
| Anne Klein | Primary brand color seen in logos and product lines |
| Lilly Pulitzer | Print designs and apparel patterns |
| Laura Ashley | Floral prints on dresses and home furnishings |
| Arm & Hammer | Used in packaging and advertisements |
Brands leverage periwinkle for its feminine, playful, and nostalgic connotations. This further cements periwinkle’s reputation as a distinct shade.
Is Periwinkle Considered a Pastel?
Pastels are soft, pale tints of color. Periwinkle fits this description. It sits as a lighter tint between the primary colors blue and purple.
Other examples of pastel colors include:
- Mint green
- Peach
- Lavender
- Baby blue
- Straw yellow
Like these other pastels, periwinkle has low saturation and brightness. Pastels only contain a small amount of the darker primary color they come from.
So periwinkle can indeed be categorized as a pastel color, related to but distinct from blue and purple. Calling periwinkle a ‘pastel’ implies it is not a rich, intense purple shade.
Periwinkle vs. Violet
Violet has long been considered one of the main shades of purple. Periwinkle and violet look similar, but they have some key differences:
| Periwinkle | Violet |
|---|---|
| Paler, softer color | Deeper, richer color |
| Higher amounts of blue | Higher amounts of red/purple |
| Lower saturation | Higher saturation |
| Pastel classification | Primary/secondary classification |
As a pale pastel, periwinkle appears substantially lighter than the deeper, higher intensity violet.
Periwinkle Symbolism
Periwinkle is ripe with symbolic meaning:
- Innocence – The soft, childlike purity of periwinkle represents innocence.
- Memory – Associated with nostalgia and cherished memories.
- Friendship – Periwinkle expresses Platonic affection and kinship.
- Relaxation – The serene light blue inspires relaxation.
- Spirituality – Some traditions see periwinkle as connecting to the divine.
This meaningful symbolism gives periwinkle a unique identity and spirit. While it overlaps with purple in some symbolic areas, periwinkle has developed its own special space.
Conclusion
So does periwinkle count as a shade of purple? After examining periwinkle’s technical qualities, cultural associations, and use across different contexts, it sits in an ambiguous gray area between blue and purple:
- Periwinkle contains hints of both blue and purple/red, but leans more towards blue.
- It has symbolic and natural connections to purple, but separates itself with pastel lightness.
- Brand marketing sets periwinkle distinctly apart from purple.
- Periwinkle manages to straddle blue and purple, making classification difficult.
This ambiguity and dual nature of periwinkle may be part of its appeal. In the end, there’s no definitive answer on whether periwinkle counts as purple. Its chameleon-like ability to shift between blue and purple depending on context is part of what gives periwinkle its charm and mystique. Periwinkle’s complex identity transcends straightforward color labels. It inhabits its own captivating space as both blue and purple, yet not fully one or the other.
