The question of whether maroon is considered a shade of red or purple has been debated for years. At a glance, maroon appears to be a very dark, rich shade of red. However, upon closer inspection, there are hints of purple in its undertones as well. So is maroon a red or a purple? The answer lies somewhere in between.
The Origins and Definitions of Maroon
The word “maroon” has an interesting history. It derives from the French word “marron” which referred to a chestnut brown color. In the early 17th century, maroon was first used in English to describe chestnut-colored horses. By the 1800s, the definition expanded to mean a dark red color.
Some standard color references define maroon as follows:
| Source | Definition of Maroon |
| Pantone | A dark red color with hints of brown and purple |
| HTML/CSS | RGB value of 128, 0, 0 |
| CMYK | 0% cyan, 100% magenta, 60-80% yellow, 40-70% black |
| Crayola | A deep reddish purple color |
As you can see, while definitions mention maroon as a red color, most allude to purple hues as well.
How Maroon Sits on the Color Wheel
The color wheel provides further insight into the red versus purple debate. Primary colors red, yellow and blue make up the wheel. Mixing primary colors creates the secondary colors orange, green and purple. Tertiary colors are made by blending primary and secondary shades.
Maroon is created by mixing red and purple, making it a tertiary color. This means maroon takes on qualities of both parent shades. Given maroon’s strong purple pigments, some color experts position maroon closer to purple than red on the color wheel. However, there is no universally agreed upon position.
| Color Wheel Position | Red or Purple? |
| Closer to red | Red |
| In between red and purple | Red-leaning purple |
| Closer to purple | Purple |
Based on these color combinations, maroon has a foot firmly planted in both the red and purple camps.
Maroon’s RGB Values
Examining maroon’s RGB (red, green, blue) values also provides some clues. In web design and computer graphics, colors are created by mixing set amounts of red, green and blue light.
Pure red has an RGB value of 255, 0, 0. Pure purple is 128, 0, 128. Maroon’s standard RGB values are 128, 0, 0.
With a red value of 128, maroon displays a dark, less saturated red than pure bright red. The zero green and blue means no mixing with those colors. The 128 red is exactly midway between red and purple, making maroon equal parts red and purple based on the RGB scale.
How Maroon is Made
Artists mix colors to create the perfect maroon shade. Understanding these mixtures also answers red versus purple.
| Mixing Colors | Makes it Lean… |
| Red + purple | Red-purple |
| Red + blue | Purple |
| Red + white | Red |
| Red + black | Red |
A maroon made of only red and purple is balanced between the two. Adding extra red keeps it mostly red, while extra blue or black pushes maroon closer to purple territory. The ratios of pigments alter maroon’s place on the spectrum.
How Maroon is Perceived
Human perception also plays a key role. While measurements and mixing ratios demonstrate maroon’s dual nature, how the color is actually seen depends on the observer.
Here are some of the factors influencing maroon’s perceived color family:
| Factor | Impact on Maroon Perception |
| Surrounding colors | Appears more red or purple depending on context |
| Lighting conditions | Can intensify red or purple tones |
| Background color | Cool backgrounds emphasize purple, warm emphasize red |
| Personal color perception | Some eyes detect subtle color differences more readily |
A person with strong visual purple perception may view maroon as deeply purple compared to someone with red-green color blindness who sees it as red. Our eyes and brains adjust maroon’s appearance based on environment and physiology.
Maroon in Culture and History
Looking at how maroon has been perceived and used in cultural contexts provides more insight into red versus purple affiliations.
| Era | Maroon Use | Red or Purple? |
| 19th century | Deep red dye | Red |
| 1920s fashion | Alternative to purple | Purple |
| Contemporary design | Paired with reds and purples | Red-purple |
| Western universities | School color | Red-leaning purple |
| Crayola | Reddish purple crayon | Red-purple |
Maroon has one foot in the red camp as a dark red dye historically. But it also substitutes for purple in color-coordinated outfits, showing off its purple side. When paired with reds and purples today, it bridges the two as a distinctly separate red-purple shade.
Maroon’s Use in Interior Design
Maroon has decorative value in home interiors and design. It adds rich, warm sophistication as an accent color. Evaluating maroon’s design roles also weighs in on red versus purple status.
| Design Concept | Maroon’s Effect | Red or Purple? |
| Sophistication | Elevates and adds depth | Purple |
| Warmth | Inviting and cozy | Red |
| Energizing | Stimulates and engages | Red |
| Masculine touch | Strong and rugged | Red |
| Feminine flair | Alluring and mysterious | Purple |
Here we see maroon leaning red when wanting to inject an energetic, daring or masculine vibe. It taps into its purple side to create a feminine, elegant mood. In this context, maroon is the perfect bridge between red and purple personalities.
Conclusion
Based on maroon’s origins, technical qualities and varied usage, it lives between the red and purple families. Its heritage and composition combine red and purple in equal measure. Maroon’s chameleon-like nature shifts it toward red or purple based on lighting, surroundings and perception.
While maroon may defy being pinned down as strictly red or purple, its dual nature gives it a versatility few colors possess. Embracing maroon’s red-purple duality opens up possibilities to use this shade in unexpected, beautiful ways. So in the debate between maroon as red or purple, the answer is ultimately both.