Purple is a secondary color that is made by combining two primary colors – red and blue. The mixing of red and blue to make purple has been known since ancient times, with the first written uses of the word ‘purple’ dating back over 2,500 years. While red and blue are the most common primary colors used to make purple, varying the shades and ratios of the primaries results in a wide variety of purple hues, tints and tones.
Primary Colors Red and Blue
On the traditional RYB (red, yellow, blue) color wheel used by artists and designers, red and blue appear as two of the three primary colors, with yellow being the third. In color theory, primary colors are defined as being colors that cannot be created by mixing other colors together. Conversely, secondary colors like purple are obtained by combining two primary colors.
| Primary Color | Color Wheel Position | Wavelength Range |
|---|---|---|
| Red | 0° | ~700–635 nm |
| Blue | 240° | ~470–450 nm |
As seen in the table, red and blue are positioned opposite each other on the standard color wheel at 0° and 240° respectively. They also occupy different wavelength ranges in the visible color spectrum. When combined together in varying proportions, these two primary colors produce the many shades of purple.
Different Shades of Purple
By altering the amount of red and blue primary colors, a wide array of purple shades can be produced. Some common purple shades created from red and blue include:
| Purple Shade | Color Mix |
|---|---|
| Violet | More blue, less red |
| Mulberry | Balanced mix of red and blue |
| Mauve | More red, less blue |
| Amethyst | Slightly more blue than red |
As you move around the color wheel from blue towards red, the purple shades transition from violet shades with more blue tints, to redder toned purple hues. By tweaking the proportions of the primaries, any purple hue can be created.
Tints, Tones and Shades
In addition to mixing different ratios of red and blue to alter the purple hue, tints, tones and shades of purple can also be produced by modifying the saturation and lightness.
Tints are made by adding white to a purple hue, creating softer, lighter colors like lavender or lilac. Adding grey or black produces more muted, grayish purple tones. And combining a purple with more black generates deeper, darker purple shades.
| Variation | Description |
|---|---|
| Tint | Lightened with white |
| Tone | Grayed with black/grey |
| Shade | Darkened with black |
These variations in tint, tone and shade allow for an endless number of purple colors to be derived from the two parent primaries of red and blue.
Complementary and Split Complementary Colors
Looking again at the traditional RYB color wheel, red’s complementary color is green and blue’s complementary is orange. These complementary color pairs contrast strongly with each other when placed side-by-side, creating a vibrant look.
The complement of purple is yellow, since purple is directly opposite yellow on the color wheel at 180°. Using purple with yellow can form an eye-catching, high contrast color scheme.
Split complementary color schemes utilize a color along with the two colors adjacent to its complementary. For purple, this would mean pairing it with the colors yellow-orange and yellow-green, since these are the colors next to its complement yellow.
| Color Scheme | Color Combination |
|---|---|
| Complementary | Purple and Yellow |
| Split Complementary | Purple, Yellow-Orange, Yellow-Green |
These types of color combinations allow purple to stand out against other shades, creating visually stimulating designs.
Psychology of the Color Purple
In color psychology, purple is associated with nobility, luxury, ambition, creativity and imagination. It’s seen as a regal, exclusive color that evokes mystery, magic and spiritual awakening.
Darker purples like amethyst or mulberry suggest seriousness and introspection. Lighter lavenders and lilacs impart a sense of nostalgia and femininity. Vivid purples denote artistic expression and unconventionality.
This range of color meanings arises from the mixing of passionate red and tranquil blue that makes up purple. The balance of excitation and calmness from its parent primaries gives purple a thoughtful, introspective quality.
Examples and Usage
Throughout history, purple has been associated with royalty, power and wealth due its rarity and expense to produce from natural dyes. Here are some iconic uses of various purple shades:
| Context | Purple Shade |
|---|---|
| Roman Emperors | Tyrian Purple |
| Byzantine Rulers | Imperial Purple |
| New Age Culture | Amethyst |
| Rock Music | Mulberry |
| Feminism | Lavender |
| LGBTQ Pride | Vivid Violet |
These examples showcase the rich history and meaning behind the color purple in various cultural realms. From emperors to feminists, purple’s blend of passion and tranquility underlies its broad use.
Conclusion
In summary, purple derives from the primary color combination of red and blue. By mixing varying ratios and shades of its parent colors, altering saturation levels, or adding white, grey or black, a wide spectrum of purple hues can be produced. From the bright violets to deep mulberries, purple’s depth arises from the fusion of stimulation and calmness. This dichotomy is what makes purple an intriguing, nuanced color with magical and spiritual symbolism.
