There are many objects that can be the color purple in our everyday lives. Purple is a color that is often associated with royalty, spirituality, and creativity. When thinking about purple objects, things like purple clothes, flowers, foods, and gemstones likely come to mind first. However, there are many more examples of purple objects that surround us. In this article, we will explore and visualize the wide variety of objects that can be found in the color purple.
Purple Natural Objects
In nature, there are a number of plants and flowers that exhibit shades of purple. Some common examples include:
| Lavender | This fragrant flowering herb has purple flowers and leaves. |
| Violets | These classic purple flowers with heart-shaped leaves can be found growing wild in many parts of the world. |
| Purple Coneflower | Also known as echinacea, these vibrant purple flowers are commonly grown in gardens. |
| Eggplant | This nightshade vegetable has a deep purple skin and flesh when ripe. |
| Purple Grapes | Grape varieties like concord and red globe grapes develop a purple color as they ripen. |
| Plums | There are many domestic and wild plum varieties that have purple skin and flesh. |
| Purple Sweet Potato | This root vegetable has purple-hued skin and flesh. |
| Purple Cabbage | This variant of common green cabbage has vivid purple leaves. |
| Purple Asparagus | A type of asparagus that has purple spears rather than the usual green. |
| Purple Carrots | Heirloom and specially bred purple carrots have pigments called anthocyanins that give them a deep purple color. |
As you can see, the plant kingdom provides a wide spectrum of purple foods, flowers, and other objects. The purple color usually comes from water-soluble pigments called anthocyanins that are present in the plant cells. Truly, nature gives us a bounty of beautiful purple shades.
Purple Gemstones and Minerals
In the mineral world, amethyst is likely the first purple gemstone that comes to mind. However, there are many other stunning purple rocks and gemstones that exist as well:
| Amethyst | This popular violet-hued gemstone is composed of quartz. Significant deposits have been found in Brazil and parts of Africa. |
| Purple Garnet | While many think of red garnets, garnets also naturally form in shades of purple, green, yellow, brown, and pink. |
| Sugilite | This rare mineral is an opaque light to dark purple color and has a waxy luster. It’s found in Japan, Canada, and South Africa. |
| Purple Chalcedony | A variety of quartz that ranges from pale to deep purple and often has cloudy translucence. |
| Lepidolite | This lilac-gray or rose-colored mica mineral is an important source of lithium. |
| Charoite | A stunning purple mineral only found in Siberia that has a swirling, fibrous appearance. |
| Purple Fluorite | While most fluorite is blue or green, the color can also be rich purple when trace impurities are present. |
| Purpurite | This is a variety of manganese phosphate mineral that is a bright reddish-purple color. |
| Purple Beryl | Aquamarine beryl crystals that have been exposed to radiation may turn a deep purple color. |
The vibrant purple shades in these crystals, gemstones, and minerals arise from trace impurities of elements like chromium, iron, and manganese. When cut and polished, these purple rocks make stunning jewelry stones and collector’s items.
Purple Fabric and Clothing
One place we often encounter the color purple is in fabrics and clothing. Here are some common examples of purple textiles and fashion:
| Purple T-shirt | Purple cotton tees are a wardrobe staple, especially shades like lilac, plum, and lavender. |
| Velvet | This plush fabric comes in deep jewel tones like royal purple. |
| Purple Socks | Ankle, crew, and knee-high socks come in various purple shades and patterns. |
| Silk | The luxurious fabric can be dyed any color, including rich purples. |
| Purple Sweater | Pullover and cardigan sweaters look elegant and cozy in violet hues. |
| Purple Scarf | Lightweight purple scarves are pretty accessories that add a pop of color. |
| Lace | Delicate purple lace can trim dresses, collars, veils, and more. |
| Purple Handbag | Purse styles like totes, clutches, and backpacks come in various shades of purple. |
| Tie-dye | Using purple fabric dye is a popular technique to make psychedelic tie-dye patterns. |
| Purple Jeans | Casual denim pants come in unique colors like violet and lilac washes. |
By dyeing fabrics with purple pigments or using naturally purple materials like velvet, there are limitless purple clothing and fashion accessories to choose from.
Purple Decor Items
There are many ways to incorporate purple hues into home decor. Some purple decorative objects include:
| Purple Pillows | Accent pillows in deep jewel tones or pastel lavender add a colorful pop. |
| Purple Rug | Area rugs in rich violet tones complement wood floors. |
| Purple Vase | A vibrant purple ceramic or glass vase displays flowers beautifully. |
| Purple Wall Art | Purple artwork like paintings, prints, and tapestries can accent a wall. |
| Purple Dinnerware | Dinner plates, cups, and napkins in shades of lilac or violet create a unique tablescape. |
| Eggplant Throw Blanket | A cozy purple blanket in a soft fabric like velvet, wool, or cotton. |
| Purple Curtains | Sheer, linen, velvet – all types of curtains look elegant in purple tones. |
| Purple Chair | Upholstered armchairs and dining room seats come in rich purple fabrics. |
| Purple Candles | Scented purple candles create relaxing ambiance and soft lighting. |
| Purple Flower Arrangement | Purple roses, lilacs, chrysanthemums, and irises collected in a vase or pot. |
Whether it’s a subtle accent or bold statement, purple home furnishings, art, textiles, and flowers make for unique, eye-catching decor.
Purple Produce
In addition to purple carrots and purple sweet potatoes mentioned earlier, there are several other fruits and vegetables that may display purple shades:
| Purple Cauliflower | This variant of white cauliflower has a vivid purple head. |
| Purple Asparagus | A type of asparagus that has purple spears rather than the usual green. |
| Blackberries | Ripe blackberries are a deep purple hue. |
| Purple Figs | Some fig varieties have purplish-brown skin. |
| Red Cabbage | This cabbage appears purple rather than green because of anthocyanins. |
| Purple Potatoes | There are specific purple potato cultivars with purple skin and flesh. |
| Purple Corn | A type of corn with kernels that are deep purple when ripe. |
| Passionfruit | This tropical fruit turns purple-black when fully ripe. |
| Purple Peppers | Varieties like purple bell peppers and purple chili peppers. |
| Purple Broccoli | A type of broccoli that has small deep purple florets instead of green. |
The natural plant pigments called anthocyanins that give many fruits and veggies their purple colors act as antioxidants and may provide health benefits. Eating a rainbow of colorful produce like these provides great nutrition.
Purple Species of Animals
While less common than other colors, some interesting animals have purple markings or pigmentation:
| Purple Frog | A rare frog species discovered in India that has a unique purple color. |
| Purple Finch | A reddish-purple songbird found throughout North America. |
| Violet-backed Starling | A purple and yellow-colored starling found in parts of Africa. |
| Purple Swamphen | A large rail bird with deep purple plumage and a red bill. |
| Lilac-breasted Roller | A beautifully-colored purple and turquoise bird found in sub-Saharan Africa. |
| Purple Emperor Butterfly | A butterfly with iridescent purple wings found in parts of Asia and Europe. |
| Purple Sea Urchin | A species of spiny sea urchin that has a purple body. |
| Violet Jellyfish | Also called the purple sail jellyfish, this species has translucent purple coloration. |
| Purple Sea Star | A bright violet species of starfish found along the Pacific coast. |
| Violet Wood Nymph | A purple butterfly found in Central America with wings edged in white. |
While not extremely common, these vividly-colored creatures demonstrate that purple can be found beyond the man-made objects we interact with daily. The purple hues help some of these animals camouflage, attract mates, or warn predators that they may be toxic.
Purple Man-Made Items
Beyond the natural world, there are many purple items created by humans that we use in everyday life:
| Purple Pen | Writing utensils like ballpoint pens and gel pens often come in purple ink. |
| Purple Paint | Popular shades like lavender and lilac paint colors for walls and art projects. |
| Purple Notebook | Spiral and composition notebooks often come with purple covers. |
| Purple Smartphone Case | Protective cases for phones come in every color, including purple. |
| Purple Water Bottle | Stainless steel and plastic water bottles and tumblers are available in purple. |
| Purple Backpack | Kids and adult backpacks come in a range of purple shades. |
| Purple Folder | Manila folders and report covers colored purple help organize documents. |
| Purple Video Game Controller | Game controllers can have custom purple shell colors. |
| Purple Nail Polish | Deep purple and lilac nail polishes are popular nail lacquer colors. |
| Purple Yoga Mat | Yoga and exercise mats come in a variety of vibrant purple colors. |
Artificial purple dyes and pigments allow manufacturers to make any product imaginable in shades of purple, from electronics to office supplies to apparel. The color purple is versatile enough to appeal to all genders, interests, and age groups.
Conclusion
In summary, the color purple spans nature and man-made creations in our world. Natural purple is produced by pigments in plants and minerals while artificial purple comes from dyes and pigments. Things like flowers, gemstones, clothing, foods, animals, and everyday items surround us in shades of purple, lavender, lilac, violet, and more. Purple appeals to the senses and the psyche in its richness, creativity, and complexity as a color. Having an awareness of the range of purple objects both natural and manufactured gives us an appreciation for the beauty and ubiquity of the color in our lives. So next time you spot something purple, take a moment to consider how that object adds vibrant color to the world.