Colors exist on a spectrum, and there are many shades between the basic colors like red, blue, yellow, etc. Pinkish purple is a color that lies between pink and purple, as the name suggests. It has elements of both pink and purple but is distinct from each. Determining the exact name for pinkish purple can be tricky since there are many subtly different shades that could be described as pinkish purple. However, there are some commonly used terms that are generally understood to refer to a pinkish purple color.
Key Characteristics of Pinkish Purple
Pinkish purple is a tertiary color, meaning it is created by combining a primary and secondary color. In this case, red and blue are combined to create purple, which is then lightened by adding white to create a pinkish tone. The amount of red, blue, and white can vary to create different shades of pinkish purple. But in general, pinkish purple:
– Has a medium to light brightness and slightly muted tone compared to pure purple.
– Contains more red undertones than pure purple, giving it a warmer, pinker appearance.
– Often has a soft, delicate look compared to the deeper tones of pure purple.
– May contain hints of white, light pink, lilac, or lavender depending on the specific shade.
So while it is not an exact 50/50 blend between pink and purple, pinkish purple takes clear inspiration from both parent colors. This sets it apart as its own distinct tertiary shade.
Common Names for Pinkish Purple
There are a few commonly used color terms that are widely recognized as referring to a pinkish purple shade:
Lilac
Lilac is probably the most common name for a light pinkish purple. It is generally understood to be a pale, delicate purple with distinct pink undertones. Some specific shades of lilac include:
– Pale Lilac – Nearly white with just a hint of soft pinkish purple.
– Periwinkle Lilac – A grayish lavender shade.
– French Lilac – Very pale and pink-infused.
So in general, lilac refers to the lighter end of the pinkish purple spectrum.
Lavender
Lavender is similar to lilac but applies to slightly deeper shades of pinkish purple. It is characterized by its soft, muted appearance and floral reference. Some examples include:
– Pale Lavender – A pale purplish pink.
– Lavender Blush – Has more pink than purple.
– French Lavender – More subdued than traditional lavender.
So lavender covers pinkish purples ranging from pale to moderate tones.
Thistle
Thistle refers to more middle-of-the-road shades of pinkish purple, with a balance between pink and purple undertones. For example:
– Thistle Pink – A light purplish pink.
– Thistle Lavender – More emphasis on purple than pink.
So while thistle can vary between pink and purple tones, it generally refers to more balanced pinkish purples.
Orchid
Orchid encompasses pinkish purples on the deeper end of the spectrum. It implies a richer, more saturated color vs. the paler, daintier shades of lilac and lavender. Some orchid variations include:
– Pale Orchid – Subdued, light tone but more color than lilac.
– Dark Orchid – A richer, more vivid pinkish purple.
– Pink Orchid – Deep pink-purple, compared to blue-toned purple orchids.
So orchid refers to deeper, sometimes brighter pinkish purples.
Pinkish Purple vs. Similar Colors
It can also be helpful to compare pinkish purple against similar color shades to highlight the differences:
Pinkish Purple vs. Pure Purple
– Pure or true purple contains no undertones of other colors. Pinkish purple has distinctive pink undertones.
– Pinkish purple is softer and more muted than bold, deep purple.
– Pinkish purple is lighter and brighter, while pure purple is darker and richer.
Pinkish Purple vs. Mauve
– Mauve is more grayish and lacks the pink brightness of pinkish purple.
– Pinkish purple retains more of a true purple tone vs. mauve’s dusty purple-gray.
– Mauve is more matte and earthy, while pinkish purple has a brighter finish.
Pinkish Purple vs. Dusty Rose
– Dusty rose is predominantly pink with subtle purple-gray tones.
– Pinkish purple has more distinct purple undertones than dusty rose.
– Dusty rose is inherently more pink based, while pinkish purple is a pink/purple blend.
So while similar, pinkish purple stands on its own between pure pink, purple, and their related tertiary colors.
Where Does the Name Come From?
Since pinkish purple sits between pink and purple, the descriptive color name simply stems from this placement on the color wheel.
The word “pink” originated in the 17th century from the frilled edge of flowers called “pinks” which were often pale red. Over time, the word became associated with the pale reddish hue itself.
“Purple” comes from the ancient dye Tyrian purple that was produced from seashells. It had a deep red-purple color. So purple has long been tied to reddish hues.
By combining pink and purple, the name pinkish purple emerged as a way to describe these soft shades that merge pink and purple qualities.
Some other influences on the pinkish purple color name include:
– Pinkish Purple Flowers – Many flowers combine soft purple and pink tones, like lilacs, contributing to the descriptive color term.
– Overlapping Color Categories – Pink, purple, red, and blue overlap, so shades in between also take on descriptive names like pinkish purple.
– Increasingly Subtle Color Distinctions – As color naming has expanded, subtle in-between shades like pinkish purple have become more defined.
So while not as concrete as primary colors, pinkish purple has emerged as a helpful way to categorize the soft purplish-pink tones between two color families.
What are Pinkish Purple Shades Called in Other Languages?
Pinkish purple color shades have similar but uniquely nuanced names across other languages. Here are some examples:
Spanish:
– Morado Rosado – Directly translates to “Pinkish Purple”.
– Liláceo – Connects to the lilac shade, like English.
– Lavanda – Same root as lavender.
French:
– Pourpre Lilas – Relates to lilacs.
– Violet Rose – Combines purple (violet) with pink (rose).
– Lavande – Also links to the lavender flower.
Italian:
– Purpura Lilaceo – Refers to the purple shade.
– Viola Chiaro – Viola means “purple”, chiaro means pale or light.
– Orchidea – Connects to the orchid flower.
German:
– Lavendelfarben – Relates to the lavender color.
– Fliederfarbig – Named after the lilac flower (Flieder).
– Orchideenfarben – Referencing the orchid flower.
So while slightly varied, many languages integrate descriptors that link to flowers and the balance of pink and purple. This captures the soft floral quality of pinkish purple tones.
Contemporary and Historical Uses of Pinkish Purple
Pinkish purple shades have emerged in art, design, fashion, and consumer products throughout history into today:
Pre-1600s
– Ancient Roman Nobility – Associations with luxury due to the high cost of Tyrian purple dye.
– Medieval Art + Tapestries – Depictions of purple-tinged flower scenes.
– Byzantine Fashion – Purple silks and textiles among royalty and elites.
17th-18th Century
– Rococo Interior Design – Pale orchid and lavender in fashionable interiors.
– Georgian + Regency Fashion – Mauve, lilac, lavender in dresses and accessories.
– Impressionist Art – Soft purple shadows and atmospheric tones.
19th Century
– Victorian Gardens – Popular lilacs, hyacinths, wisteria.
– Art Nouveau – Pinkish purple motifs in graphic design.
– Gibson Girl Fashion – Pale purples, mauves in embroidery and accessories.
Early 20th Century
– Art Deco – Bolder pinkish purples as accent colors.
– Panton Chair – Violet design by Verner Panton.
– Rock + Roll Fashion – Princes purple tones among musicians.
Mid-Late 20th Century
– Disco – Deep pinkish purples and orchids.
– Prince Logo + Love Symbol – Royal purple as central brand image.
– 500s Japanese Animation – Wide use of pinkish purple for characters and themes.
Contemporary (21st Century)
– Millennial Pink – Blush pinkish purples among Millennial consumers.
– K-Pop – Significant use of pinkish purple hair and fashions.
– Wisteria Decor Trend – Blush purple wisteria-inspired wedding and home decor.
So pinkish purples have an extensive history but have taken on renewed popularity in recent decades across visual culture and design.
Significance and Symbolism
What do pinkish purple colors represent in culture and design? Some key symbolism includes:
– Femininity – Pinkish purples relate to culturally feminine traits like softness, flowers, romance.
– Royalty + Luxury – Historically tied to ancient dyes expensive for commoners. Connotes exclusivity.
– Whimsy + Playfulness – Soft, lighter pinkish purples evoke a youthful, fairy tale-like quality.
– Spirituality – Connections to mysticism and divination in some cultures and time periods.
– Balance – Blending pink and purple represents balance between warm/cool, yin/yang.
– Androgyny – Increasingly used to represent gender fluidity as pinkish purple mixes masculine and feminine hues.
So pinkish purples can range from traditional femininity to modern representations of fluidity and unconventionality. Their meaning continues to evolve.
Conclusion
While pinkish purple is not as concrete as primary colors, it has clearly established itself as a distinct tertiary shade between pink and purple. Modern color analysis helps define subtle in-between tones that might have been lost in eras when only bold pigments existed. Pinkish purples’ soft, delicate nature has lent them to many flower-inspired color names like lilac and lavender across languages. And their blend of pink and purple qualities gives them a multifaceted symbolism from traditional royalty to contemporary gender fluidity. So pinkish purples represent an intriguing space on the color wheel and in design history.
