What Are Some Things That Are Purple?

Looking for some ideas for things that are purple? Stick around as we share the answer and some interesting facts about the color purple.

Colors are everywhere in nature and man-made things. From the color of trees and plants to the hues of the rainbow, it is easy to observe that color is definitely colorful. In fact, most pigments used to give life to man-made things are derived from nature.

Of all the colors, purple is one that is associated with royalty. However, this hue is pretty common nowadays. Want to know exactly what things bear this hue?

Keep reading…

About Purple

Before we proceed with talking about purple-colored things, you might be wondering what exactly this color is. To explain it simply, purple is what you get when you combine the primary colors red and blue.

This means that purple is a secondary hue.

When you look at the color wheel, purple is located between red-purple and blue-purple. When taken as a set, these three are called analogous colors.

Now, when you look on the other side of the wheel, directly opposite of this hue, you will see yellow. This means that yellow is the complementary color of purple.

The History of Purple

Now that you know exactly what this hue is, you might be wondering at what point in history it was first used. You will be surprised to know that this pigment is one of the oldest.

In fact, there are records of prehistoric cave paintings that have this hue. These works are said to be created between 16,000 and 25,000 B.C.

When it comes to its usage as a dye, sources say that it was used by ancient civilizations. There are records of the Phoenician Civilization (1550 BC to 300 BC) using this pigment.

However, this dye was rare because it can only be obtained by catching and extracting mucus from a species of sea snail called Bolinus brandaris. To produce even an ounce of the dye, you need 250,000 of these snails, which made the pigment extremely rare and only affordable for the wealthy and powerful.

The Meaning of Purple

One of the most popular ideas associated with purple is that it is the color of royalty. When you look at the history of this dye, you can understand why. As mentioned, the pigment was rare and expensive.

Because of this, only royals were able to buy items dyed purple. Royalty wore purple clothing in various civilizations including the Romans, Persians, and Byzantine Empires, making it easy to associate the hue with such powerful individuals.

Today, this hue is associated with luxury, power, creativity, and magic. When it comes to color psychology, it is said to have a calming effect, while also triggering imagination and creativity. Different versions of this hue can also signify varying ideas. Lighter tints are seen as feminine, while a dark tone shows sadness and frustration.

Things That Are Purple

Knowing the origin of this hue, as well as the meanings attached to it, you may be curious as to what things are colored purple. Here are some of them:

• Amethyst

This gemstone is known for having a purple hue. It is a variety of quartz associated with a wide variety of meanings. People who were born in February have amethyst as their birthstone. It signifies luck, health, and abundance.

• Red Onion

Another natural thing that bears this color is red onion. It is aromatic that triggers a variety of senses. It offers a delightful taste and aroma to various recipes. While this aromatic is associated with painful, watery eyes, it can also represent good ideas.

One of these is Valentine, a poem by Scottish contemporary poet Carol Ann Duffy. The poem depicted the onion as a symbol of love using defamiliarization, a technique used by artists to present common things in an unfamiliar manner.

• Lavender

Another thing with this color is lavender. In fact, a kind of purple is named after this plant. This herb belongs to the mint family and is known to promote calmness and wellness, especially in aromatherapy.

Lavender is not the only plant that bears this hue. Lilacs, salvias, and wisterias also have this color.

• Blueberries

Those who want to give their desserts a purple color can use blueberries to do so. When in a lighter shade, these berries are colored blue, but darker varieties are considered purple. They are high in nutrients, making them a great addition to healthy snacks.

Conclusion

What do you think of our list of purple things? Purple has always been a regal and elegant color. However, many popular and common items now bear this color thanks to the invention of synthetic dyes.

Can you think of other purple-colored things aside from those mentioned above?