Mauve is a pale purple color that takes its name from the mallow flower. The first known use of the word “mauve” as a color name in English was in 1856. Mauve became popular after Queen Victoria wore a mauve dress to the Royal Exhibition of 1862 in London. Since then, mauve has been a staple color in fashion and design. But what exactly is the number designation for mauve in color systems?
RGB and Hex Values for Mauve
In the RGB (red, green, blue) color model, mauve is created by combining red, blue, and a smaller amount of green light. The specific RGB values for mauve purple are:
| Red | 178 |
| Green | 132 |
| Blue | 190 |
So in RGB, the number designation for mauve is R: 178, G: 132, B: 190.
These RGB values can also be represented hexadecimally using six digits. The hexadecimal number for mauve purple is #B284BE.
The hex digits break down as follows:
| B | 178 |
| 2 | 132 |
| 8 | 128 |
| 4 | 64 |
| B | 190 |
| E | 190 |
So in the hex system, mauve purple is represented as #B284BE.
CMYK Values for Mauve
In the CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) color system used for print, the number values for mauve are:
| Cyan | 25 |
| Magenta | 51 |
| Yellow | 0 |
| Black | 22 |
So in CMYK, the number designation for mauve purple is C: 25, M: 51, Y: 0, K: 22.
The percentages of each color are:
| Cyan | 25% |
| Magenta | 51% |
| Yellow | 0% |
| Black | 22% |
HSV/HSB Values for Mauve
In the HSV/HSB (hue, saturation, value/brightness) color model, mauve purple has the following values:
| Hue | 276° |
| Saturation | 23% |
| Value/Brightness | 74% |
So in HSV/HSB, the number designation for mauve is H: 276°, S: 23%, B/V: 74%.
The hue value of 276° puts mauve purple close to the pure purple hue of 270° on the color wheel. The low saturation gives mauve its soft, pale tone.
Pantone Number for Mauve
In the Pantone Matching System (PMS), a popular color standard for printing and graphic design, the closest number match for mauve purple is PMS 2592 C.
PMS 2592 C is described as a pale, soft purple by Pantone. It fits nicely into the mauve family, capturing the characteristic light purple tone.
Natural Dye Sources for Mauve
Historically, before synthetic dyes, mauve shades were derived from natural plant and animal sources. Here are some natural dye sources that can produce mauve purple hues:
| Mallow flowers |
| Perkin’s mauve lichen |
| Purple carrots |
| Iris flowers |
| Purple cabbage |
| Shellfish purple |
The original mauve dye that sparked the mauve fashion craze in 1856 was synthesized from coal tar, not natural plant sources. But these organic materials can create beautiful, soft mauve dyes.
Mauve vs. Purple – What’s the Difference?
Though mauve and purple are closely related colors, there are some key differences:
| Mauve | Purple |
| – Paler, softer tone | – Richer, deeper tone |
| – Lower saturation | – Higher saturation |
| – Contains more red | – Contains more blue |
In summary:
- Mauve is a pale, soft purple with a higher amount of red.
- Purple is a richer, deeper shade with more blue.
So mauve has a softer, more delicate appearance compared to the bold vividness of purple.
Uses of Mauve
Throughout history, mauve has been used in:
- Fashion – dresses, hats, neckties
- Interior design – wallpaper, upholstery, carpets
- Packaging and logos
- Art – paintings, dyed textiles
- Photography – capturing mauve lighting and flowers
- Cosmetics and beauty – eyeshadow, lipstick, nail polish
Mauve creates a soft, romantic mood with its delicate pale purple tones. It adds a touch of elegance and femininity to any application.
Mauve in Nature
Mauve coloration can be found in numerous flowers and plants, including:
- Lilac
- Lavender
- Wisteria
- Iris
- Petunia
- Morning glory
- Hydrangea
- Periwinkle
- Orchid
The mauve mallow flower that gave mauve its name has delicate purple-pink petals. Mauve lichens and mosses are also common in nature.
Some fruits, vegetables, and seeds contain natural pigments that create mauve hues, like purple carrots, radishes, cabbages, and berries.
Certain bird species also display striking mauve feathers, such as the cotingas in South America and the lory birds of Indonesia and Australia.
Mauve in Culture
Mauve has woven itself into human culture in many symbolic ways:
- Associated with springtime and youth
- Represents whimsy, romance, and nostalgia
- Used in art to create a dreamy atmosphere
- Symbol of LGBTQ pride along with lavender
- Used to convey feminine beauty and elegance
In Thailand, mauve is part of the national identity. Friday is considered the “mauve day” and mauve is the birthday color for those born on Fridays.
Politically, mauve is associated with progressive movements that originated in the late 1800s around the same time as the Art Nouveau and aesthetic styles that used mauve extensively.
Mauve in Fashion
Mauve became a fashion sensation in 1856 after the new synthetic mauve dye was invented by chemist William Henry Perkin. Suddenly, mauve dresses were the height of style.
Queen Victoria’s endorsement cemented mauve as a staple in women’s fashion. It contributed to the growing trendiness of purple and lavender hues.
Mauve suits and neckties were also popularized for men in the late 1800s. Mauve remained prevalent in fashion off and on throughout the early to mid 1900s.
It saw a revival in the 1960s and still appears regularly on fashion runways today, especially in spring collections. Modern mauve clothing often has a muted, dusty tone.
Mauve in Interior Design
In home décor, mauve rose to prominence during the Art Nouveau movement in the late 1800s as a trendy accent color. Mauve wallpaper, upholstered furniture, and carpet were hallmarks of Art Nouveau interiors.
The soft quality of mauve made it a natural decorative color that created an elegant, welcoming environment. Mauve continues to be used in interior design today to cultivate a relaxed, feminine mood.
Modern mauve decor embraces pastel and dusty shades of mauve rather than the bold jewel tones of the Victorian era. Mauve paint is especially popular in bedrooms and bathrooms.
Conclusion
So what number represents that unique pale purple color known as mauve? While several color systems have their own numeric designations for mauve, the hue sits primarily between red and blue, combining their qualities into a soft, delicate tone.
From its 19th century debut to today, mauve remains an evocative shade that conjures feelings of nostalgia, romance, and tranquility. Whether in the latest fashions or interior palettes, mauve’s appeal endures as a beautiful intermediary between red and purple.
