This is a common question that many people have when looking at shades of blue that verge on purple. Midnight blue sits right on the border of blue and purple, which can make it hard to definitively categorize it as one or the other. In this article, we’ll look at the technical definitions of blue and purple, examine midnight blue specifically, and try to come to a conclusion about whether midnight blue is considered a blue or a purple.
Defining Blue and Purple
To understand if midnight blue is blue or purple, we first need to define what exactly blue and purple are in technical color terms. This gives us a basis for comparison when analyzing midnight blue.
The Definition of Blue
Blue is defined as one of the three primary colors, specifically the color between green and violet on the visible spectrum. In the RGB color model, which is used for digital displays, blue is made by combining just the blue color channel, with no red or green. This makes pure blue have the RGB values (0, 0, 255).
In print and painting, blue is traditionally created by using a pigment or dye such as the mineral lapis lazuli or the plant indigo. Many blue pigments are made from minerals, which gives blue a reputation of being a stable, reliable color.
The Definition of Purple
Purple is defined as a secondary color, made by combining the primary colors red and blue. In the RGB color model, you can make purple by combining high values for both blue and red. This makes purple have RGB values around (150, 0, 150) depending on the specific shade.
In art, purple pigments historically came from rare and valuable dyes such as Tyrian purple made from sea snails. This gave purple a reputation as the color of royalty and nobility. The rarity of purple dyes also meant purple paint was expensive, restricting purple’s use by common people.
Examining the Color Midnight Blue
Now that we understand the technical definitions of blue and purple, we can take a closer look at midnight blue specifically and analyze its qualities.
The Origins of Midnight Blue
Midnight blue is a very deep shade of blue that got its name because it resembles the night sky around midnight. Before artificial lighting, midnight was the darkest part of the night sky. Midnight blue evokes the deep azure blue of a clear night sky far from city lights.
Midnight Blue’s Technical Specifications
In technical color terms, midnight blue sits right between blue and purple:
| Color Model | Midnight Blue Value |
|---|---|
| RGB | (25, 25, 112) |
| CMYK | (78, 78, 0, 56) |
| HEX | #191970 |
As you can see, midnight blue has high blue values around 100-150, but also has a noticeable red value around 25. This puts it close to purple, but still primarily a blue.
How Midnight Blue Is Made
Historically, midnight blue was formulated by combining a blue Prussian blue pigment with a black pigment to darken it. Prussian blue contains no red, maintaining the primary blue nature of the color. The black deepens the blue into midnight blue’s dark azure tone.
So while midnight blue may verge toward purple, its origins and formulation are fundamentally based in blue pigments. This supports the idea that midnight blue is technically a shade of blue rather than purple.
How Designers Classify Midnight Blue
Color theory systems that designers use also generally classify midnight blue as a type of blue rather than purple:
| Color System | Midnight Blue Classification |
|---|---|
| RAL | RAL 5026 Night Blue |
| Pantone | PANTONE 2767 |
| Natural Color System | S 2065-R90B |
As these technical classifications show, most color scheme systems tag midnight blue as a shade of blue rather than purple.
When Midnight Blue Can Appear Purple
Despite being technically classified as a shade of blue, there are some situations where midnight blue can appear to have purple undertones:
- On screen – The RGB model used for digital screens means the red undertones in midnight blue will be emphasized compared to paints.
- In sunlight – Strong natural light brings out the darker purple tones rather than blue tones.
- Next to pure blue – When put side-by-side with a pure blue, midnight blue’s purple tones become noticeable.
- With purple accents – Using purple accessories like flowers near midnight blue can make it look more purple-tinged.
So while midnight blue is defined as a blue, its darker nature means it can sometimes veer into looking more like a purple depending on the context.
When Midnight Blue Clearly Appears Blue
There are also some conditions where midnight blue appears clearly blue rather than purple:
- In dim light – Midnight blue appears a rich blue in candlelight, firelight, or other dim natural lighting.
- On matte paint – The flat finish absorbs purple reflections, emphasizing the blue undertones.
- With blue accents – Blues accessories make midnight blue look like a deeper blue rather than purple.
- Against warm colors – Next to oranges, reds or yellows, the blue in midnight blue stands out.
So midnight blue can strongly display its blue qualities in certain settings, particularly in dimmer, matte, or warm-colored environments.
Conclusion
When deciding if midnight blue is technically blue or purple, most color definitions and technical specifications classify it as a deeply saturated shade of blue. Its origins and formulation are blue-based without purple pigments. However, there are some contexts where midnight blue can take on more purple-looking qualities depending on lighting, digital rendering, and surrounding colors.
Overall, midnight blue sits right on the line between blue and purple but falls just on the blue side. But its dark richness gives it flexibility to shift between blue and purple depending on how it’s used. So both blue and purple lovers can find a home in midnight blue.
