Purple and violet are two colors that can often be confused with one another. Though they look similar, there are some key differences between the two shades. Understanding the distinction between purple and violet can help make choosing between them easier.
In brief, purple is a secondary color made by combining red and blue. Violet is a spectral color on the visible light spectrum. While purple is a mix of two primary colors, violet is a pure chromatic color.
There are also some slight visual differences between purple and violet. Violet tends to have a bluer undertone compared to purple. When placed side by side, violet often appears lighter and brighter, while purple looks darker and muted.
The origins of the color names also provide insight into how they differ. The word purple comes from the name of a purple dye produced in ancient times from a Mediterranean sea snail called murex. The word violet relates to the violet flower.
In color theory and on the color wheel, purple and violet are used somewhat interchangeably. But in optics and art, violet has a more precise definition as a spectral color, meaning it has its own wavelength of light.
The Difference Between Purple and Violet
So what exactly sets purple and violet apart? Here are some of the key distinctions between the two colors:
Purple
– Purple is a secondary color made by combining two primary colors – red and blue.
– On the color wheel, purple sits between red and blue.
– The first recorded use of the word purple in English was in the year 975 AD.
– Purple is a combination of two wavelengths of light and does not occupy its own place on the visible spectrum.
– Purple has shades ranging from reddish-purples to blueish-purples.
– Darker or muted purples are created by adding black or brown. Lighter or brighter purples add white or pink.
Violet
– Violet is a spectral color with its own wavelength of light on the visible spectrum, of around 380-450 nanometers.
– Violet sits at the end of the spectrum, next to blue and indigo.
– The first recorded use of the word violet in English was in the year 1370.
– Violet has a single wavelength of light and occupies a distinct spot on the visible spectrum.
– Violet usually refers to shades ranging from a deep blue-based purple to purplish-blue.
– Tints of violet add white while shades add black or blue.
So in summary:
– Purple is a secondary color, violet is a spectral color.
– Purple is made of red and blue, violet has its own wavelength.
– Violet leans bluer, purple can be redder or bluer.
– Violet appears lighter, purple appears darker.
– Violet came into use in English several centuries after purple.
The Origins of Purple and Violet
The origins of the color terms purple and violet also provide some insight into their history and how they differ.
Purple
The word purple originally comes from the name of a purple dye extracted from a Mediterranean sea snail in ancient times. Specifically, a species of sea snail called murex produced a rare and highly prized purple-colored dye.
In ancient times, purple fabric dyed with murex dye was incredibly rare and expensive. It became associated with royalty and high status. The rarity and brilliance of murex purple led to the name becoming synonymous with the color.
The first use of the word purple in English dates back to the year 975 AD. It was adapted from the Latin word purpura, referring to the purple murex dyes.
Some other key facts about the history of purple:
– Tyrian purple was another name for the murex purple dye produced in the ancient city of Tyre.
– In ancient Rome, purple dye and purple clothing was restricted to only the emperor and highest nobilitas class.
– Purple is traditionally associated with royalty, ambition, power, and luxury.
Violet
Unlike purple, violet relates directly to the violet flower. Specifically, the word violet derives from the Middle English and Old French word violette. This in turn comes from the Latin word viola for the violet plant.
The first recorded use of the word violet in English texts showed up in 1370 AD. At the time, purple and violet were used somewhat interchangeably to refer to a range of reddish, purplish and bluish hues.
It wasn’t until the 1800s that violet became an established name for the distinct spectral color with a blue and purple tone. Having its own place on the visible light spectrum set violet clearly apart from purple.
Some other key facts about the history of violet:
– Violet flowers have a purple-blue color that inspired the color name. Popular types include Viola odorata and Viola arvensis.
– Violet is traditionally associated with spirituality, humility, peace, and tranquility.
– Violet gemstones like amethyst and tanzanite also contribute to its color connections.
So in summary, purple relates to rare ancient dyes, while violet comes from a delicate flower. Their different roots contribute to purple’s luxurious, noble associations compared to violet’s spiritual, calming ones.
Purple and Violet in Optics
In the field of optics and physics, purple and violet take on more concrete definitions based on how they interact with light.
Purple in Optics
In optics, purple is not recognized as a pure spectral color. This is because purple is not part of the visible light spectrum. Rather, purple is a non-spectral color made by combining two wavelengths of red and blue light.
When red light and blue light mix together on the visible spectrum, the resulting color that our eyes perceive is purple. Red light has wavelengths around 620-750 nanometers. Blue wavelengths are around 435-500 nanometers.
So purple forms through an optical illusion when these two wavelengths meet. Our brains blend the two colors together to create the distinctive purple sensation. But a pure beam of purple light does not exist.
This makes purple an extra-spectral color. Other extra-spectral colors include magenta and pink. Since purple lies between red and blue, purples can shift toward reddish or bluish tones.
Violet in Optics
Unlike purple, violet is recognized as a true spectral color in optics. This means violet light has a single wavelength range on the electromagnetic spectrum.
The wavelength of violet ranges roughly from 380-450 nanometers. Violet sits at the shortest end of the visible spectrum, between indigo and blue. The human eye sees this wavelength as a light purple-blue tone.
Violet light can also be produced through an optical LED light. This single wavelength sets it apart from the two combined wavelengths that make up purple.
In optics, violet occupies its own discrete position on the visible spectrum. Having a pure wavelength makes violet a pure chromatic color. So in physics and optics, violet is clearly distinguished from the mixed color purple.
Comparing Shades of Purple and Violet
Purple and violet also have some slight differences when comparing their shades and color mixing properties.
Purple Shades
Purple is made up of the primary colors red and blue. By changing the proportions of the two colors, different purple shades can be made.
– Reddish purples contain more red and less blue. These are warmer in tone, like raspberry or mulberry.
– Bluish purples have more blue and less red. These are cooler in tone, like purple iris or amethyst.
– Dark or deep purples are created by adding black, brown or grey to a purple base.
– Light or pale purples are made by adding white or pink to lighten the tone.
So purple can take on a wide range of shades. While purple often leans bluer, adding more red creates warmer purples.
Violet Shades
Since violet is a spectral color, its shades are created by modifying the base violet wavelength using other colors.
– Tints of violet add white to lighten the color. These pastel violet shades include lilac and wisteria.
– Tones of violet are made by combining violet with grey. These muted violets include slate and mauve.
– Shades of violet add black for a darker effect. These deep violets include amethyst and purple iris.
– Adding blue intensifies the blue undertones in violet. Bluish violet shades include periwinkle and pansy.
In general, violet will appear lighter, softer and cooler than bold saturated purples. But deep violet shades can come close to a true purple.
Purple vs Violet: Key Comparison
Here is a quick overview table summarizing some of the main differences between the colors purple and violet:
| Purple | Violet |
|---|---|
| Secondary color | Spectral color |
| Not in spectrum | In spectrum |
| Red + blue | Single wavelength |
| Darker, muted | Lighter, brighter |
| Royal, mystical | Spiritual, tranquil |
As shown in the table, while purple and violet can sometimes look similar, they have distinct properties and associations. Understanding their unique characteristics can help creatives, designers, artists and marketers select the perfect purple or violet shade.
When to Use Purple vs Violet
So when should you choose purple, and when is violet a better option? Here are some guidelines for when to use each color:
Use Purple When You Want
– A secondary color made from red and blue
– A wide range of tones from red-based to blue-based purples
– Darker, richer, bolder color qualities
– A sense of luxury, ambition, power or nobility
– Mystical, magical, spiritual symbolism
Use Violet When You Want
– A primary spectral color with its own wavelength
– Soft, light purple-blue tones
– A sense of tranquility, wisdom, imagination, or nostalgia
– Spring-like, floral, delicate symbolism
– Cooler, lighter color qualities
Use Either Purple or Violet When
– You want a color between red and blue
– A color associated with royalty, creativity or mystery
– A balance of warm and cool color qualities
– A sense of cosmic, psychic or spiritual energy
So in summary, purple tends to create richer, darker, warmer effects, while violet produces softer, cooler, lighter results. But both evoke a sense of imagination, creativity, and mysticism.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while purple and violet are often used interchangeably, they have some distinct differences.
Purple is a secondary color combining two primary hues, red and blue. It has a wide range of shades from red purples to blue purples. Violet is a spectral color with its own wavelength of light. It sits between indigo and blue on the spectrum.
Violet usually appears lighter and brighter than the deeper, muted tones of purple. Violet also has a cooler, bluer tone compared to the wide spectrum of purple shades.
Understanding the technical and historical distinctions between purple and violet can help artists and designers select the perfect shade. Both evoke a sense of creativity, spirituality, and imagination.
So while purple reigns with its noble, luxurious associations, the delicate spring-like violet flower also has its place. With their unique blend of mystery, tranquility, and intrigue, both purple and violet continue to fascinate and inspire.