Valentine’s Day is all about love, romance, and expressing feelings to that special someone. When you think of Valentine’s Day colors, red and pink likely come to mind first. But purple is another color strongly associated with Valentine’s Day. In this article, we’ll explore why purple is considered a Valentine’s Day color and examine its history and symbolic meanings related to love.
The History and Meaning Behind Purple
Purple has long been associated with royalty, luxury, and power throughout history. In ancient times, purple dye was incredibly rare and expensive to produce, so only the wealthiest could afford to wear the color purple. As a result, purple garments became associated with kings, queens, and nobility. The rarity and expense of the dye gave purple a mystical and spiritual meaning as well.
In Christianity, purple is associated with Lent and Advent, as well as royalty, divinity, and Christ’s sacrifice. Catholic cardinals and bishops wear purple vestments and purple is often used for velvet coverings on church altars. Purple has also been a symbolic color within Catholic tradition to represent sorrow and mourning.
Beyond its religious meanings, purple is also associated with magic, mystery, creativity, independence, dignity, wisdom, transformation, and imagination throughout various cultures and belief systems. With its blend of passionate red and tranquil blue, it evokes feelings of balance, intuition, and spirituality.
Purple in Nature
In nature, purple hues stand out as rare and special. Purple flowers like lavender, lilac, violet, and iris evoke feelings of nostalgia, femininity, and grace. Gardens often include pops of purple for visual interest and to attract pollinators.
Certain foods found in nature contain natural purple/blue pigments as well. Blueberries, plums, grapes, eggplants, and purple varieties of carrots and potatoes contain anthocyanins, a special antioxidant that provides their rich color. The rarity of these colorful plant foods connects purple to luxury, health, and indulgence.
Purple Gemstones
Precious purple gemstones also connect the color to wealth and royalty. Amethyst, a crystalline quartz in various shades of violet, has been valued for thousands of years. Ancient Greeks believed it protected the wearer from intoxication, while medieval European soldiers wore it for protection and courage in battle. Amethyst gems symbolize peace, spirituality, wisdom, and hope.
Other precious purple stones include sapphire, tanzanite, spinel, iolite, and purple garnet. These gems are associated with qualities like rarity, mystery, intuition, creativity, and magic. Purple jewelry containing these gems provides a regal accent for any Valentine’s Day outfit.
Purple in Fashion and Décor
In fashion, purple stands out as a color of luxury, individuality, and confidence. It’s commonly worn by creative trendsetters and performers seeking to make a bold statement. In Victorian times, women would wear violet silk gowns decorated with lace, ribbon, flowers, and precious jewels. Today, purple remains a staple color for evening gowns, cocktail dresses, and statement accessories.
In interior design, purple accents create an environment of luxury, creativity, and sophistication. Deeper plums and eggplants work well in formal living rooms and bedrooms, while pale lilacs and lavenders create a more whimsical, feminine vibe. Purple pairs nicely with metallic accents and botanical prints. It’s used in moderation in most décor, as an accent wall, pillow, rug, or floral arrangement.
Is Purple Romantic?
So how does purple tie into Valentine’s Day? As a blend of passionate red and calm blue, purple carries a sense of balance, spirituality, and openness that connects to romance. It expresses the mystical feeling of being in love while keeping the vibe mellow versus the bright intensity of red.
Literature and poetry have long associated the color purple with love and romance:
- In Greek myths, the crocus flower that bloomed from Crocus and Smilax’s turned purple from their undying love.
- In Alice Walker’s novel The Color Purple, letters written between lovers Celie and Nettie are on purple paper.
- Poet Percy Bysshe Shelley compared love to the rare and precious dye of purple in his poem “One Word is Too Often Profaned.”
Purple’s rarity in nature gives it an exotic, indulgent feeling perfect for celebrating Valentine’s Day in a memorable way.
Using Purple in Valentine’s Day Décor
Want to incorporate some purple into your Valentine’s Day décor? Here are some ideas:
| Décor Item | Purple Varieties |
|---|---|
| Flowers | Lilacs, violets, lavender, purple roses, tulips |
| Candles | Lavender, lilac, plum, violet, amethyst, orchid |
| Table Runner | Deep purple, pale purple, patterned with purple accents |
| Place Settings | Purple napkins, chargers, tablecloths with purple details |
| String Lights | Purple bulb or filter shades |
A dash of purple can turn an ordinary Valentine’s Day tablescape into something magical. Light purple works nicely when combined warm tones like red, pink, and gold. Deep plums and eggplants pair beautifully with silver and black for a more opulent, romantic look.
Purple Valentine’s Day Gifts
Still unsure what to gift your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day? Consider a present in decadent purple wrapping, or better yet, a gift featuring purple prominently:
| Gift Idea | Purple Options |
|---|---|
| Flowers | Purple roses, tulips, lilacs, orchids, violets |
| Jewelry | Amethyst, purple sapphire, tanzanite |
| Clothing | Purple dress, tie, scarf, accessories |
| Lingerie | Purple bra and panty set, babydoll, robe |
| Beauty | Purple makeup palette, nail polish, bath bombs |
| Food | Purple chocolates, macarons, cake, wine |
Wrap your gift in a shiny purple paper with a lavender bow for an extra pop of color. Opt for an amethyst jewelry box or purple gift bag for easy coordinating.
Purple Clothing on Valentine’s Day
Incorporating purple clothing and accessories into your Valentine’s Day outfit is an easy way to nod to this romantic shade. Here are some stylish purple clothing ideas to try:
| Item | Outfit Suggestion |
|---|---|
| Purple dress | Feminine maxi or cocktail dress for date night |
| Purple blouse | Pair with black slacks and jewelry for work |
| Purple tie | Wear with a crisp white shirt and grey suit for dinner |
| Amethyst jewelry | Necklace, earrings, or tennis bracelet as accent |
| Purple scarf | Light purple infinity scarf with winter coat |
| Purple shoes | Heels, flats, or sneakers as a playful splash |
Don’t be afraid to pair different purple tones in one outfit. Light purple top with deep purple skirt or pale purple dress with amethyst jewelry keeps it sophisticated. Have fun playing with different purple shades!
Purple Cocktails and Treats
Purple food and beverages make for a festive Valentine’s Day color theme. Incorporate purple into your holiday menu with these ideas:
| Item | Recipe Idea |
|---|---|
| Cocktails | Purple martini with violet liqueur; lavender gin fizz; blueberry mojito |
| Wine | Portuguese red blend, merlot, cabernet sauvignon |
| Dessert | Blackberry tart, purple velvet cake, blueberry cobbler |
| Chocolates | Lavender, violet, or berry-flavored truffles |
| Candies | Jelly beans, gumdrops, or hard candies |
Infuse cocktails, lemonade, or tea with lavender simple syrup. Float purple berries in champagne. Have fun mixing up purple-themed treats!
Conclusion
Purple may not be the first color that comes to mind for Valentine’s Day, but it has a long history of association with love, romance, and mystical passion. Its rarity in nature gives purple an exotic, indulgent feeling perfect for celebrating relationships. Adding touches of purple décor, clothing, jewelry, flowers, food, and gifts is a unique way to make the holiday more memorable. Next Valentine’s Day, consider embracing purple hues to express your affection in a colorful new way.
