Blue and purple are two colors that evoke a sense of calm, sophistication and creativity. But there are many shades within these cool hues, ranging from the bright pop of electric blue to the muted elegance of lavender. Understanding the tones found in blue and purple can help bring depth and interest when using them in design, fashion or decor.
The color wheel
On the color wheel, blue and purple reside next to each other in the cool spectrum, directly opposite orange and red. Blue is considered a primary color, while purple is a secondary color made by combining blue with red.
Within the family of blues, there are three primary shades:
– Azure – A pale, sky blue.
– Blue – A pure, bright blue.
– Navy – A very dark midnight blue.
By mixing these main blue tones with white and black, you get a range of lighter and darker blue shades like baby blue, periwinkle, denim, cobalt, etc.
For purple, the core shades are:
– Violet – A light purple with more red undertones.
– Purple – A pure, rich purple.
– Indigo – A very deep midnight purple that can appear almost black.
Mixing these core purples with white creates softer lavender and lilac shades. Mixing with black produces darker eggplant and wine-colored purples.
Blue tones
Here are some of the most common blue tones:
Azure – A pale, sky-blue tone associated with peacefulness and ethereal qualities.
Baby Blue – A very light, almost white blue named for its association with baby boys. Conveys innocence.
Periwinkle – A light violet-blue with magical, whimsical associations.
Blue – The pure blue pigment. Evokes stability, trust, intelligence and open communication.
Denim – A grayish-blue named after the ubiquitous blue jeans fabric. Connotes casual comfort.
Cornflower – A medium-light blue with purple undertones, the color of the cornflower flower.
Royal Blue – A rich, deep blue historically used for royal garments. Conveys prestige.
Cobalt – A vivid medium-dark blue. Associated with creativity and imagination.
Navy – A very dark midnight blue, the color of naval uniforms. Authoritative and dignified.
Midnight Blue – A dark, inky blue associated with mystery and ambiguity.
Electric Blue – An intense, neon blue. Evokes energy, excitement and experimentation.
Purple tones
Common shades found in the purple family include:
Lavender – A light purple with a delicate, floral feel. Calming and romantic.
Lilac – A soft, pale purple evoking spring blooms. Feminine and nostalgic.
Wisteria – A light purple named after the hanging flower clusters. Whimsical and elegant.
Violet – The true, pure purple pigment with more red undertones than purple. Magical and spiritual.
Plum – A reddish purple resembling ripe plums. Sophisticated and luxurious.
Eggplant – A dark purple with gray undertones, named for the eggplant skin hue. Rich and dramatic.
Mauve – A muted, dusty purple. Understated and vintage.
Mulberry – A reddish-purple tone, named after the mulberry fruit. Earthy and diverse.
Purple – The pure purple pigment. associated with royalty, mystery and magic.
Wine – A deep reddish-purple evoking red wine. Elegant and ornate.
Indigo– A midnight blue-purple, resembling the indigo plant dye. Mystical and wise.
Use in design
Blue and purple tones are widely used in visual design to create certain moods and effects:
Light blues like azure, periwinkle and baby blue suggest openness, tranquility and innocence. Light purples like lavender and lilac also evoke a soft, gentle mood.
Bright blues and purples lend energy and whimsy. Electric blue and violet create youthful, cutting-edge designs.
Darker blues like navy, midnight and indigo speak to elegance and prestige. Deep purples like eggplant and wine suggest drama and luxury.
Cool neutrals like denim, mauve and plum provide versatile backdrops as contemporary neutrals.
When combining shades, stick to the same blue or purple family for a harmonious look. For striking contrast, pair complementary colors from opposite sides of the color wheel like purple with yellow.
Use in fashion
Blue and purple hues let you make a stylish statement. Here are some fashion applications:
Pastels – Light blue and lilac purple work for spring and summer in soft, romantic styles.
Bright tones – Vivid blues and purples create fun looks for assertive dressers.
Dark tones – Navy, indigo and plum project sophistication in suits, evening gowns and accessories.
Retro styles – Mid-century vintage looks come to life with mauve, periwinkle and turquoise.
Ethnic textiles – Blue and purple prints and patterns reflect artistic heritage in different cultures.
From a simple blue denim jacket to an elegant violet evening dress, blue and purple present endless fashion possibilities.
Use in interiors
Decorating with shades of blue and purple adds visual richness and personality to any room:
Light tones like baby blue or lavender create soothing, relaxing spaces. Great for bedrooms and spas.
Vivid tones like cobalt or plum make dramatic accent walls or focal points.
Natural tones like denim, slate and mauve work as sophisticated neutral backdrops.
Layered tones for textiles, pillows and art provide depth within a cool color scheme.
Complementary colors such as yellow, peach or green add liveliness and contrast.
Metallic accents in silver, gold and copper tie in elegance and shine.
With infinite shades to explore, blue and purple offer versatile, sophisticated options for interior design.
Symbolism and meanings
Beyond aesthetics, blue and purple tones also carry symbolic connotations:
Trust – The stability of deep navy blue inspires loyalty and trust.
Peace – Light blues like azure symbolize calmness and peace.
Magic – Vivid violet and indigo speak to imagination and mystique.
Spirit – Pure purple represents higher purpose and spiritual awakening.
Wisdom – Dark shades like indigo convey inner wisdom and insight.
Creativity – Bright blues such as cobalt inspire creative energy.
Nostalgia – Soft purple pastels evoke fond memories and sentiment.
Romance – Light lavender and periwinkle convey delicate romance.
Luxury – Rich purples like plum and amethyst suggest extravagance.
Ambition – The intensity of electric blue reflects drive and determination.
Cultural and historical meanings
Blue and purple also have cultural, religious and historical significance:
– Royalty – For centuries, deep purple robes were reserved for kings, queens and emperors.
– Aristocracy – Nobles and aristocrats wore blue as a symbol of status in Europe.
– Religion – Blue and purple are sacred colors in Judaism. Purple also symbolizes penance in Christianity.
– Nature – Blue and purple flowers like hydrangeas, irises and lilacs bloom in spring.
– Art – Pablo Picasso and other famous artists had notable “blue periods” using cool hues.
– Commerce – Corporate giants Facebook, Samsung and Dell use blue in their logos to convey trust.
– Femininity – Shades like lavender and lilac are considered traditionally feminine.
– Masculinity – Navy blue is widely used in uniforms and suits for men.
– Counterculture – Psychedelic art and music of the 60s used blue and purple tones.
So in addition to their aesthetic appeal, blue and purple tones also connect us to history, cultural identity, values and ideas.
Blue and purple in nature
Blue and purple occur naturally in the environments around us:
– Skies – Gradients of blue make up the sky and atmospheric hues.
– Oceans – Blue waters cover 70% of Earth’s surface.
– Mountains – Distant ranges take on purplish-blue shadows.
– Flora – Blue and purple flowers include hydrangeas, irises, hyacinths, morning glories.
– Fauna – Some animals are purple and blue, like indigo snakes, blue jays, blue butterflies.
– Geology – Blue and purple gems and minerals include sapphires, tanzanite, fluorite, lapis lazuli.
– Food – Naturally purple and blue foods include blueberries, purple sweet potatoes, purple cauliflower.
– Microbes – Some fungi, molds and bacteria produce blue or purple pigments.
So blue and violet hues commonly surround us in the natural environment, though they are considered rare in nature compared to greens, oranges or reds.
Science of blue and purple
The wavelengths of light determine how we perceive color:
– Blue light has short wavelengths (350-495 nanometers).
– Purple light has medium-long wavelengths (440-490 nanometers).
When light with these wavelengths enters our eye, signals get sent to our brain telling us the color we see is “blue” or “purple.”
But purple is not found in the rainbow spectrum – it exists solely in our minds. There is no single purple wavelength of light. Our brain mixes blue and red light signals to construct the perception of purple.
So purple is considered a non-spectral color, meaning it has no single wavelength on the light spectrum. It is an extra-spectral color created by the brain blending blue and red. Other non-spectral colors include pink, brown and magenta.
Blue, however, does correspond to a single wavelength of light, making it a spectral color like all the hues of the rainbow.
Digital colors
On screens, blue and purple colors are made by mixing light from red, green and blue pixels (RGB):
Blue (#0000FF) – Only the blue pixel is turned on full brightness.
Purple (#800080) – Blue and red pixels are on, with no green.
Shades are made by adjusting levels of the RGB pixels. Electric purple increases blue pixel intensity. Lilac lowers blue and increases red pixels.
In print design using CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black), blue uses 100% cyan ink, while purple overlays cyan and magenta.
Pigments and dyes
Historically, blue and purple dyes were rare and difficult to produce, making them prized pigments.
Blue main pigments include:
– Ultramarine blue (lapis lazuli stone)
– Cerulean blue (cobalt ore)
– Prussian blue (ferric ferrocyanide salts)
– Indigo blue (indigofera plant)
Purple pigments include:
– Tyrian purple (murex sea snails)
– Ruby red & violet mixtures
– Manganese violet minerals
Today most blue and purple pigments are synthetic. Modern indigo dye allows jeans to fade from dark blue to light blue.
Conclusion
From the vivid sparkle of electric purple to the soothing tranquility of sky blue, shades of blue and purple speak to the human experience in many ways.
They let us create beautiful things, express ourselves, remember connections to the past, interpret the natural environment, and understand elements of light and perception.
Blue and purple represent creativity and wisdom, intellect and spirit, trust and loyalty – dual colored strands woven through culture and history.
Their tones guide us to realms of imagination, invention, contemplation and artistry.
So in both simple pleasures, like admiring a hydrangea bloom, and complex endeavors, like fashioning new technologies, blue and purple grant us boundless possibilities to explore.
| Blue Tone | Purple Tone |
|---|---|
| Azure | Lavender |
| Baby Blue | Lilac |
| Periwinkle | Wisteria |
| Blue | Violet |
| Denim | Plum |
| Cornflower | Eggplant |
| Royal Blue | Mauve |
| Cobalt | Mulberry |
| Navy | Purple |
| Midnight Blue | Wine |
| Electric Blue | Indigo |