Red-violet is a rich, deep, luxurious color that combines the passion and energy of red with the sophistication and mystery of purple. It sits between ruby and purple on the color wheel, drawing associations from both. Red-violet gets its vibrancy from the dominance of red, while the addition of purple gives it more complexity. This striking blend is known by several names, each with its own nuances and histories.
Names for Red-Violet
Some of the most common names for the red-violet color family include:
Magenta
Magenta is the most universal and widely-recognized name for the red-violet color. It has a bold, bright, sensual personality. The name magenta was coined in the 1860s to describe the new aniline dye discovered by French chemist François-Emmanuel Verguin. He named it after the Italian town of Magenta associated with the bloody Battle of Magenta in 1859. The vivid new color drew connections to blood and war.
Today magenta retains those exhilarating, intense qualities. It’s used in printing and on the web as one of the three secondary colors along with cyan and yellow. Magenta brings energy, passion, drama, and liveliness to designs from logos to websites. It’s an eye-catching, vibrant shade perfect for grabbing attention.
Fuchsia
Fuchsia is another common name for the red-purple color, often used interchangeably with magenta. It has the same vibrant purple-red hue but carries more feminine, graceful connotations.
The name fuchsia actually comes from the flower known as fuchsia or fuchsia hybrida. This exotic flowering plant produces elegant drooping flowers in a range of pinks and purples. The vibrant fuchsia color lent its name to the dye and colored pencils sporting the same rich jewel tones.
In designs today, fuchsia brings delicacy, radiance, and charm. It has artistic flair suitable from fashion to floral themes.
Rubine Red
Rubine red is a deep red-violet that gets its name from the mineral rubine, or red tourmaline. This mineral radiates an intense, glowing red-purple color when cut and polished.
The first synthetic rubine red dye was formulated in 1859. It quickly became a popular alternative to the costly real rubine gemstones. In design today, rubine red carries jewel-tone richness, elegance, and subtle exoticism. It has dramatic old world flair.
Orchid
Orchid is a light, delicate purple with pink undertones. It’s named after the flowers that come in a huge range of purple, pink, and white varieties. Light orchid is a soft red-violet with feminine, romantic qualities. Dark orchid is richer and more saturated.
Orchids suggest beauty, refinement, and sophistication. The color brings a touch of luxury and charm. It has an artistic, elegant personality suitable for upscale, feminine themes.
Thulian Pink
Thulian pink is an old name for light red-violet tones. It comes from “thulite”, a pink variety of the mineral zoisite first discovered on the Thule island of Greenland. The soft pinkish purple was a trendy color for jewelry and objets d’art in the Victorian era.
Today thulian pink retains those antique, delicate, feminine qualities. It’s light and airy but still richly hued, sitting between magenta and lavender. Thulian pink brings nostalgia along with its soft prettiness.
Opera Mauve
Opera mauve is a dramatic, rich red-purple. The name comes from the Opera dye company in the 1880s. Opera mauve dye provided a striking, stylish alternative to popular mourning crepe.
Opera mauve suggests luxurious extravagance with its deep, wine-like tones. It has bold presence but more refinement than bright magenta. Opera mauve adds richness and flair to any design.
Technical Names
In technical terms, red-violet colors also go by several names:
Rhodamine (Rhodamine Red)
Rhodamine is a family of synthetic red and pink dyes first discovered in 1887. Rhodamine red is the deep red-purple shade. It’s used as a dye, laser dye, and colorant. Rhodamine gets its name from rhododendrons, whose red flowers serve as a natural source.
Munsell 5RP
In the Munsell color system, red-violets are denoted by hue codes beginning with 5RP. 5RP sits between 5R (red) and 5P (purple). The higher the number before RP, the darker and lower in chroma the color becomes. A vibrant red-violet might be 5RP 4/14.
Pantone 226
In the Pantone Matching System, 226 C is the red-violet swatch. It’s a vivid fuchsia perfect for making bold statements in any design. Other Pantone reds and purples bordering 226 include 207, 2406, 2577, and 255.
RAL 4006
RAL 4006 is the red-violet code in the RAL color matching system. This European system is widely used for varnishes, paints, plastics, and lacquers. RAL 4006 is a vivid magenta halfway between purple and pure red.
Hex #C71585 (RGB 199, 21, 133)
In HTML, hex triplet #C71585 denotes the web color medium violet red, a vivid magenta. In the RGB color model, its mix comes from R 199, G 21, B 133. This hot pink sits between red and purple online.
Shades of Red-Violet
Red-violet spans a wide spectrum, with lighter baby pinks on one end and deepest burgundies on the other. Here are some of its most popular shades:
Thulian Pink – A delicate, airy pink-infused purple named after thulite mineral. Graceful and feminine.
Lavender Rose – A light, soft pinkish purple blending red and lavender. Romantic, nostalgic, gentle.
Orchid Pink – A lighter orchid shade with vivid magenta tones. Bright and artistic.
French Fuchsia – Vibrant, bold mid-tone fuchsia with blue undertones. Fun, lively, energetic.
Shocking Pink – An intense, neon-like hot pink. Youthful, funky, and loud.
Razzmatazz – Strong, vibrant pink-red. Cheerful and attention-grabbing.
Ruby – A luxurious, deep red touched with purple. Rich, elegant, passionate.
Wine – Dark burgundy red-purple, named after red wine. Sophisticated, refined, dramatic.
Byzantium – A royal Tyrian purple, deeper and darker than magenta. Opulent, mysterious, historic.
Mulberry – A red-based purple, like the mulberry fruit. Earthy, classic, traditional.
Tones of Red-Violet
Red-violet also comes in a range of light, medium, and dark tones:
Pastel Red-Violet – Light, delicate red-violet, like a faded magenta. Soft, dreamy, romantic.
Medium Red-Violet – A rich, vivid red-purple, like magenta. Sensual, striking, passionate.
Dark Red-Violet – A deep, intense burgundy or mulberry shade. Dramatic, elegant, sophisticated.
How Light Affects Red-Violet
The intensity and warmth of different light sources impacts how red-violet is perceived. Here’s how it shifts:
Incandescent Light – Warmer light enhances the red tones, making red-violet appear more vibrant.
Fluorescent Light – Cooler light gives red-violet a slightly more purple cast.
Natural Light – Clear daylight shows the true red-violet color.
Candlelight – Soft candlelight illuminates the rich depth of red-violet.
Firelight – Flickering firelight brings out vivid, shimmering fuchsia tones.
Psychology of Red-Violet
Red-violet color psychology:
Passionate – Evokes desire, love, and sensuality with its vibrant red base.
Royal – Has a quality of luxury and nobility from its purple undertones.
Quirky – Its unusual blend makes it seem fun, eccentric, and creative.
Dynamic – Full of energy and excitement with its hot pink vibrancy.
Nostalgic – Has an old-fashioned, antique charm in lighter tones.
Sophisticated – Deep hues have an air of refinement and intrigue.
Culture & History of Red-Violet
Some cultural and historic connections to red-violet color:
19th Century Fashion – Red-violet dyes were popular for Victorian ballgowns and ribbons.
Art Nouveau – Fuchsia and orchid motifs were common in Art Nouveau floral designs.
Punk Rock – Shocking pink and magenta featured in punk fashion and graphic design.
1980s – Bright fuchsia took off in pop culture, fashion, and interior design.
New Age – Light orchid and thulian pink have spiritual connotations in New Age culture.
Anime/Manga – Vibrant red-violet hair is a common trope among anime characters.
Uses for Red-Violet
Some popular uses for red-violet color include:
Branding – Stands out on packaging, logos, and advertising to grab attention.
Fashion – Adds flair to clothing, shoes, makeup, and accessories.
Web Design – Catches the eye on websites, graphics, and user interfaces.
Home Decor – Makes a dramatic, luxurious statement in any room.
Events – Perfect for invitations, florals, and details at weddings, parties, etc.
Crafts – Ideal for DIY projects, jewelry-making, decorative painting, and more.
Matching Colors for Red-Violet
Some flattering color combinations:
White – Crisp, fresh contrast to make red-violet pop.
Black – Classic pairing that intensifies red-violet’s depth.
Gray – Subtle contrast to soften and highlight red-violet.
Yellow – Vibrant, energetic partner to increase visual impact.
Green – Complementary color for a harmonious, balanced look.
Blue – Calming contrast to temper red-violet’s heat.
Gold – Luxurious accent that enhances red-violet’s richness.
Conclusion
Red-violet is a powerful, eye-catching color that makes a bold statement wherever it goes. This exciting blend of passionate red and regal purple has inspired names from thulian pink to opera mauve that reflect its multifaceted personality. From branding to weddings, fashion to home decor, red-violet brings vitality, luxury, and charm. So embrace the vibrancy and go magenta!
