The colors mauve and purple are often confused with one another. While they are similar shades, mauve and purple are distinctly different colors. Mauve is a pale purple color with a grayish tint, while purple is a richer, deeper shade. Specifically, light mauve is a very soft, light pastel version of mauve. So is light mauve actually considered a shade of purple? Or is it its own distinct color? Let’s take a closer look at these two similar hues.
Defining Mauve
Mauve is a pale purple color that has a grayish-pink tone. The first recorded use of the word “mauve” as a color was in 1859. It comes from the French name for the mallow flower. The dyestuff that originally produced the mauve color was made from the mallow plant. So mauve got its name directly from this flower.
Some key facts about mauve:
– Mauve sits between purple and pink on the color wheel. It combines the calm stability of purple with the cheerfulness of pink.
– Mauve has a grayish undertone compared to purple. This softens the color and makes it more subtle.
– Light mauve is the lightest tone of mauve. It has a very delicate, ethereal appearance.
– The hex code for light mauve is #DCD0FF.
– In addition to light mauve, some other shades of mauve include periwinkle, pale mauve, mauve orchid, and mulberry.
So in summary, mauve is a light purple with subtle gray-pink undertones. This makes it gentler and more subtle than the bold hue of purple.
Defining Purple
Purple is a rich, deep, regal color that combines the stability of blue and the energy of red. Here are some key facts about purple:
– Purple sits between blue and red on the color wheel. It takes the calmness from blue and mixes it with the passion of red.
– There are no undertones in purple. It is a bold primary color.
– Light purple is the lightest shade of purple. However, it still has more vibrancy than light mauve.
– The hex code for light purple is #BF8FCC.
– Some other shades of purple include lilac, lavender, plum, indigo, and violet.
So purple contains the depth and richness of blue combined with the vibrancy and energy of red. This makes it much bolder and deeper than mauve.
Comparing Mauve and Purple
Now that we’ve defined mauve and purple separately, let’s directly compare their key differences:
| Mauve | Purple |
|---|---|
| Paler, softer color | Richer, deeper color |
| Has grayish undertones | No undertones |
| Subtle, muted color | Bold, vivid color |
| Combines pink and purple | Combines red and blue |
| Ethereal appearance | Regal appearance |
As you can see, mauve and purple have distinctly different appearances, undertones, and overall vibes. Mauve is soft, gentle and subtle, while purple is bold, rich, and vivid.
Is Light Mauve a Type of Purple?
Given the comparison above, it is clear that light mauve is a separate color from purple. While light mauve contains elements of pink and purple, it is much softer, lighter, and more muted. It has specific gray undertones that make it uniquely different from light purple.
Some key reasons why light mauve is not a shade of purple include:
– Light mauve is very pale, while purple is always deep and rich. Light mauve almost has a washed-out appearance compared to purple.
– Light mauve has subtle cool undertones from gray and pink. Purple contains no undertones.
– Light mauve is not vibrant enough to be a type of purple. Purple is characterized by its bold vividness.
– Light mauve sits between pink and purple on the color wheel. If it was a shade of purple, it would be closer to purple.
– Light mauve gets its name from the mallow flower, not from purple. Its origins are separate from purple.
So while light mauve and light purple look similar at first glance, light mauve is definitively not a shade of purple. It is its own distinct color with a unique soft, ethereal beauty.
How to Distinguish Between Light Mauve and Light Purple
Because light mauve and light purple look quite similar, it can be tricky to tell them apart. Here are some tips:
– Compare their hex codes. Light mauve is #DCD0FF, while light purple is #BF8FCC. Light mauve has more blue while light purple has more red.
– Look at them next to each other. Light mauve will look more washed-out and grayish compared to the bolder purple.
– Add a few drops of grey paint to the purple. The purple will turn more mauve. Add a few drops of white paint to mauve and it will lighten to match light mauve.
– Look for cool undertones in mauve and warm undertones in purple. The gray in mauve makes it cooler.
– Notice the origins – mauve from the mallow flower, purple from the regal color. This informs their overall vibes.
With a discerning eye, you will notice light mauve is softer, paler and cooler than light purple. But it does take some observation to distinguish these two sister colors from one another.
Examples of Light Mauve vs. Light Purple
Comparing some real-life objects colored light mauve and light purple can help train your eye to tell the difference between these two shades.
| Light Mauve Examples | Light Purple Examples |
|---|---|
| Lavender flowers | Lilac flowers |
| Pink rose with gray tones | Violet rose |
| Pale orchid flower | Wisteria flower |
| Powder puff | Lighter purple grapes |
| Silvery-gray cat fur | Lavender fabric |
As you look at these examples side-by-side, the light mauve stands out as softer, dreamier, and more subdued, while light purple is richer and more vibrant. Training your eye with real objects can help strengthen your ability to distinguish these colors.
Light Mauve vs. Light Purple in Design
Light mauve and light purple both play important roles in design. Here’s how they are each used:
Light mauve:
– Provides a dreamy, ethereal vibe
– Works well in romantic, feminine designs like wedding invitations and floral patterns
– Looks graceful in apparel like bridesmaid dresses
– Creates a soothing ambiance in bedrooms and bathrooms
Light purple:
– Adds a pop of vivacious color
– Looks playful in children’s designs
– Gives a vibrant energy in posters, artwork, or accent walls
– Feels mystical and spiritual in New Age decor
So light mauve suits more gentle, delicate aesthetics, while light purple works well for energetic and whimsical designs.
Conclusion
While light mauve and light purple may seem similar at first glance, they are definitively distinct colors with unique personalities. Light mauve is a pale, subdued hue with cool gray undertones. Light purple is a brighter, bolder shade with a vivid vibe. Light mauve sits closer to pink on the color wheel, while light purple clearly falls in the purple family. So light mauve is not technically a type of purple at all – it is its own soft, ethereal color perfect for romantic and feminine designs. Being able to distinguish these two shades will give you greater control and precision in your creative color choices.
