The name for the light purplish pink color is thistle. Thistle is a soft, light tone of the purple-pink color that lies between lavender and lilac on the color wheel. It is a pale, delicate shade that evokes a sense of femininity, romance, and nostalgia. Thistle got its name from the flowering thistle plant, which produces light purple-pink flowers. The color thistle has been known by this name since the late 19th century. It is a popular pastel color for wedding themes and décor, as well as in fashion. Thistle also has artistic and cultural associations, having been a popular color worn by Victorian women and used by Rococo painters. Here we will explore the origins, uses, symbolism, and variations of this pretty purple-pink color known as thistle.
Origins of the Color Name Thistle
The name “thistle” has been used to refer to a light purplish pink color since the 1890s. It comes from the name of the thistle flowering plant, which has delicate purple-pink flowers. There are over 200 species of thistles, which grow across the world in temperate climates. Some common types of thistles include milk thistle, blessed thistle, Scottish thistle, spear thistle, and Russian thistle. The thistle flower varies in shades from lavender to pale pink. It is the soft purple-pink color of some thistle blossoms that gave rise to the color name “thistle.”
One of the first known uses of thistle as a color name in the English language was in the early 1890s. An article in the May 3rd, 1890 edition of the Musical Herald magazine described women’s gowns being “embroidered with thistle-colored floss.” Over the next few decades, thistle emerged as a popular name for the pale, delicate purple-pink shade associated with the thistle blossom.
By the 1920s and 30s, thistle was being used as a color name across fashion, design, and visual arts. It was frequently referenced in descriptions for women’s clothing, fabrics, and fashion accessories. Thistle-colored garments, hats, gloves, shoes, and jewelry were popular during this era. The rise of synthetic dyes also helped make shades like thistle widely accessible for fashion and consumer goods. Since then, thistle has remained in use as the standard name for this soft pastel purple-pink.
Uses and Symbolism of the Color Thistle
| Context | Use and Symbolism |
|---|---|
| Fashion | Popular for women’s clothing, accessories, and shoes. Associated with femininity, romance, and softness. |
| Interior Design | Used in bedrooms, studies, and living rooms. Gives a sense of nostalgia, calm, and tranquility. |
| Weddings | Popular for wedding themes and dresses. Symbolizes everlasting love, sentimentality, and innocence. |
| Art | Used by Rococo and Victorian painters. Symbolized youth, tenderness, and sensuality in artwork. |
| Culture | Worn by Victorian women and young girls. Represented feminine purity, innocence, and romance. |
| Botany | The thistle flower. Associated with resilience, durability, security, and protection. |
The color thistle has feminine, sentimental, and delicate connotations. In fashion, thistle emerged as a popular pastel shade for women’s clothing in the late Victorian period. It was viewed as a dainty, romantic color that enhanced the wearer’s femininity and softness. Thistle remains associated with women’s apparel and accessories today. It also links to modesty and youth, having been worn by young Victorian girls.
In interior decorating, thistle evokes a sense of nostalgia and old-world charm. It is commonly used in bedrooms, studies, or sitting rooms. Thistle offers a soft, tranquil vibe suited to restful spaces.
Thistle is ubiquitous in wedding themes and bridal fashion. As a blend of purple and pink, it symbolizes everlasting love, romanticism, innocence, and purity. Thistle décor and details are popular for spring and summer weddings.
In fine art, Rococo and Victorian painters utilized shades of thistle to portray femininity, tenderness, and sensuality. The soft, delicate purple-pink was used to paint women’s gowns, fans, flowers, and porcelain.
Culturally, thistle also links to Scottish national pride. The thistle is the national flower of Scotland and thistle symbolism is intertwined with Scottish culture. It represents durability, resilience, security, and protection.
Thistle Color Variations
There are a few major variations of thistle to note:
- Pale Thistle – The lightest thistle shade is a very pale, ethereal purple-pink. It has a high amount of white.
- Thistle – The standard thistle is a pale purple-pink, balanced between its pink and purple undertones.
- Dark Thistle – This deeper version has more purple. It starts nearing lavender or lilac.
- Blue Thistle – A thistle variation with blue undertones rather than purple. It may also be called periwinkle.
Additionally, thistle can take on pearl, pastel, or neon variations. Pastel thistle is popular for Easter themes and children’s products. Neon or fluorescent thistle offers a bold, bright spin on the color.
Thistle vs. Similar Colors
It’s helpful to compare thistle against similar purple-pink shades:
- Lavender – More purple and blue. Lavender is also brighter than the soft thistle.
- Lilac – Lilac is lighter and cooler toned than thistle, with a stronger purple base.
- Wisteria – Wisteria is a light purple, while thistle runs pink. Wisteria is also brighter.
- Orchid – Orchids range in color, but tend to be more purple than thistle.
- Amethyst – Amethyst is gem-toned, jewel purple. Thistle is lighter and more delicate.
Thistle stands apart from these other purple shades by just how pale, soft, and feminine it is. It occupies a unique place on the color wheel between pink and purple.
Conclusion
In summary, the light purplish pink color known as thistle has a rich history and depth of symbolism. It is a soft, feminine shade associated with femininity, romance, and nostalgia. The origins of the color name thistle trace back to the late 1800s, derived from the light purple-pink thistle blossom. Thistle has decorative, fashion, bridal, artistic, and cultural associations that give this pale purple its delicate, sentimental personality. So next time you come across a pale purple-pink, you can confidently call it by its rightful name – thistle!