Purple and red are two vibrant colors that are rich in meaning and symbolism. These colors have been associated with royalty, passion, love, anger, creativity, magic, ambition, and more across various cultures and time periods. In this article, we will explore what purple and red may signify and the history behind these color associations.
Meanings Associated with the Color Purple
Purple is an uncommon color in nature and historically expensive to produce, which lends to its associations with royalty and wealth. Here are some of the common meanings and symbols behind the color purple:
- Royalty, sovereignty, and nobility – In antiquity, Tyrian purple dye from sea snails was highly prized and reserved for emperors, kings, and magistrates. Purple robes and sashes were worn to denote high social rank.
- Spirituality, mysticism, and ceremony – Purple is associated with spiritual fulfillment, magic, and the mystical. It is thought to energize imagination and bring clarity of mind.
- Creativity and artistry – In color psychology, purple is linked to creative thinking, artistic inspiration, and unconventionality.
- Ambition and power – As a blend of stable blue and energetic red, purple conveys a balance of stability and strength with a hint of mystery.
- Wisdom and dignity – Dark purple is linked with wisdom, intelligence, respect, and dignity.
- Mourning – In some cultures, purple is worn when grieving the death of a loved one. In Victorian England, widows wore black with a purple tint.
Meanings Behind the Color Red
The color red elicits strong emotions and commands attention like no other hue. Here are common symbolic meanings associated with the color red:
- Love, passion, and romance – Red is commonly connected with the heart, and relationships full of love and passion.
- Power, courage, and boldness – The vibrant hue of red is associated with energy, confidence, ambition, and bravery.
- Action, intensity, and excitement – Red has an energizing effect. It is linked to strength, stimulation, intensity, and liveliness.
- Joy, celebration, and prosperity – In many Asian cultures, red symbolizes good fortune and is worn at weddings, birthdays, and holidays.
- Danger, warnings, and defiance – Red can signal stop, danger, or evil. It’s associated with blood, fire, war, and rebellion.
- Heat, energy, and vitality – In color psychology, red provokes bodily reactions. It increases respiration, heart rate, and appetite.
Purple and Red in History and Culture
The cultural and symbolic importance of purple and red spans over 6,000 years. Here are some noteworthy ways these colors have been used and depicted throughout history:
| Time Period | Significance of Purple | Significance of Red |
|---|---|---|
| Ancient World | – Symbol of royalty and status in Roman and Byzantine empires – Sacred color in ancient Egypt, worn by Cleopatra |
– Associated with war and military in Roman Empire – Used in ancient Chinese weddings and ceremonies |
| Middle Ages | – Worn by kings, nobles, and Catholic bishops – Signified penitence and mourning in Europe |
– Dominant color in medieval European tapestries and clothing – Symbolized passion, love, and beauty |
| Renaissance | – Expensive, luxurious dye worn by the wealthy – Represented charm, imagination, and creativity |
– Favored by Catholic cardinals – Depicted divine love, courage, and nobility in art |
| 18th & 19th Century | – Associated with mourning and melancholy – Used in Gothic and horror literature |
– Symbol of radical political groups like the Italian Redshirts – In Chinese culture, connected prosperity and happiness |
| Today | – Represents magic, fantasy, and femininity – Used in logos to stimulate creativity |
– Evokes passion, danger, excitement, and action – Ubiquitous in advertisements and brand marketing |
As we can see, purple and red have taken on varied symbolic meanings across different cultures and eras. But they consistently imbue a sense of prestige, vibrancy, and strength.
Psychology of Purple and Red
Research in color psychology has examined how purple and red impact human perception and behavior. Here are some of the psychological effects:
- Purple – Associated with imagination, creativity, and spirituality. Dark shades can create feelings of melancholy or frustration. Light purple shades are uplifting and peaceful.
- Red – Stimulates excitement, energy, passion, and action. Light reds are youthful and joyful. Dark reds can agitate or overwhelm.
- Purple and red draw attention and incite alertness due to the rarity and intensity of the colors.
- These warm, vivid shades increase brain activity, stimulate appetite, and raise metabolism.
- Purple can inspire unconventional or magical thinking. Red stirs up motivation and intensity.
- Purple is linked to intuition and mysticism. Red provokes bodily reactions related to romance or danger.
Overall, red demands attention while purple intrigues the imagination. Skillful use of these colors in design or marketing can influence moods, emotion, and behaviors.
Meanings of Purple and Red Together
When combined, purple and red produce shades with their own unique symbolism. Here are some typical meanings associated with purples and reds together:
- Purple-reds – Evokes passion and sensuality, as well as creativity, magic, and intrigue.
- Reddish purples – Signify vigor, strength, and vibrancy with a sense of mysticism.
- Dark purples and reds – Associated with luxurious decadence, as well as danger, blood, and violence.
- Pale purple and red – Suggests sweetness, romance, and sentimentality.
- Purple and red prints – Connotes an artistic, eccentric vibe with contrast and flair.
When combined tastefully, purple and red can create an elegant, classic color scheme infused with passion and flair. However, jarring shades without balance may instead give off a tacky or overwhelming aesthetic.
Examples of Purple and Red Together
Here are some examples of purple and red used together effectively across various fields and mediums:
- Logos and branding – YouTube, Yahoo, Rock Band, Syfy
- Spacing and interior design – Restaurants, bars, hotels, casinos
- Florals and landscaping – Gardens, bouquets, flower arrangements
- Fashion and accessories – Outfits, shoes, handbags, jewelry, headbands
- Food and drink – Cocktails, cakes, candies, ice cream
- Visual arts – Paintings, photography, movies, album covers
Vibrant purple and red commonly adorn book covers in fantasy or romance genres. These colors also frequently appear together around Valentine’s Day to represent love and passion.
Conclusion
Purple and red have unique meanings that enhance each other when combined skillfully. Purple evokes mystery, magic, and creativity. Red signifies passion, vigor, and action. Together, they create an eye-catching palette that intrigues the mind and moves the heart. These meaningful colors can inspire exciting new ideas as well as ignite romance and celebration when incorporated purposefully in design and decor.
