When mixing blue and purple paint colors, the resulting shade is often referred to as blue-purple or purple-blue. However, there are a few more specific names used to describe the range of colors found between blue and purple.
Blue-Violet
Blue-violet is a vivid color that lies between blue and violet on the color wheel. It is a medium brightness, high saturation color that pops and stands out. Blue-violet got its name because it appears more blue than violet in most lighting conditions. However, it retains some of the depth of violet through its lower lightness level.
Blue-violet is also known as purple-blue or electric purple due to its high-energy appearance. It straddles the line between the primary color blue and the secondary color purple. When blue and red are mixed, they make violet. But blue-violet keeps more of the vividness of blue in the mix.
In color theory, blue-violet is considered a tertiary color or intermediate hue. Its unique place between blue and purple means that blue-violet has the visual benefits of both colors. It takes on some of the stability and trust of blue while also embodying the intrigue and imagination of purple.
Color Wheel Placement
On the traditional RYB color wheel, blue-violet fits between the primary color blue and the secondary color violet:
| Red | Yellow | Blue |
| Orange | Green | Violet |
| Blue-Violet |
It sits at about 260 degrees on the color wheel if 0 degrees is red and 360 degrees is back to red again. Since blue-violet is made by mixing blue with a small amount of red, it is located closer to blue than violet on the wheel.
Uses of Blue-Violet
Some of the uses and associations of blue-violet include:
- In fashion, blue-violet expresses individuality and goes well with metallic silver.
- Blue-violet is playful but wise, making it fitting for toys and characters.
- It stands out on websites when used strategically with white space.
- Blue-violet inspires imagination and creativity as an office wall color.
- The color energizes athletic gear when used for accents.
- It adds visual intrigue to packaging when combined with neutral shades.
- In interior design, blue-violet brings a youthful style as an accent wall.
- It makes dynamic floral arrangements when used for pops of color.
- Blue-violet has a futuristic feel that’s perfect for technology brands.
Overall, the balance of stability and intrigue in blue-violet makes it fitting for fun, youthful, creative, and energetic use cases.
In Culture
Blue-violet has developed some cultural associations over time as well:
- It is associated with wisdom, dignity, independence, and creativity.
- But it also embodies enchantment, magic, and mystery.
- In Thailand, blue-violet is the color of mourning for widows.
- Light blue-violet is a color symbolic of prostate cancer awareness.
- The artist Yves Klein created a shade called International Klein Blue in the 1950s which is similar to blue-violet.
- Blue-violet brings balance as the color of the Sixth Chakra in Hinduism.
- It carries spiritual meaning as the color of the throat chakra in Buddhism as well.
So while blue-violet contains the stability of blue, it also takes on more magical and imaginative properties from its purple undertones.
Shades of Blue-Violet
There are a few shades that fall under the blue-violet umbrella. Here are some blue-violet color names and their specifications:
| Name | Hex Code |
|---|---|
| Han Purple | #5218FA |
| Purple Heart | #69359C |
| Royal Purple | #7851A9 |
| Blue-Violet | #8A2BE2 |
| Electric Violet | #8F00FF |
Han purple is the lightest and most blue toned while electric violet is the darkest and most purple toned. The shade of blue-violet itself sits in the middle with balanced blue and purple notes.
Blue-Violet vs. Violet
It’s easy to confuse blue-violet and violet since they sit so close together on the color wheel. But there are a few key differences:
- Violet is a secondary color made by mixing red and blue.
- Blue-violet is a tertiary color between blue and violet.
- Violet is closer to purple, while blue-violet is closer to blue.
- Violet is lower saturation and brightness than blue-violet.
- Blue-violet pops more while violet is more muted and gentle.
So in summary, violet includes more red which gives it a more purple appearance compared to the primary blue tone of blue-violet. Violet is best described as a soft, mellow purple whereas blue-violet is a vivid, energetic purple-blue.
Conclusion
When you mix blue and purple, the resulting tertiary color is blue-violet. It has a balance of the stability of blue and the intrigue of purple. This makes blue-violet both energetic and wise, youthful and dignified. It is a statement color that adds spirit and imagination to any use.
So if you see a vivid purple-blue, you can confidently call it by its real name – blue-violet! This brilliant blended shade lives up to its name by embodying the best qualities of blue and violet in one eye-catching color.