Periwinkle vs. Purple: What's the Difference?
By Harlon Moss || Updated on May 24, 2024
Periwinkle is a pale blue-purple color, whereas purple is a broader term encompassing a range of colors between red and blue.
Key Differences
Periwinkle is a specific shade that lies between blue and purple, often described as a light or pastel tone. It is named after the periwinkle flower, which has a distinct, soft blue-lavender color. Purple, on the other hand, is a more general term that includes a wide spectrum of colors from red-purple to blue-purple. Purple has a rich history and is often associated with royalty, luxury, and mystery.
Periwinkle is less intense and more pastel-like compared to the often bolder and more vibrant shades of purple. This makes periwinkle a popular choice for creating soft, soothing environments, whereas purple can be used to make a bold, dramatic statement.
In fashion, periwinkle is often used in spring and summer collections for its light, airy feel, while purple can be seen year-round, especially in autumn and winter collections for its depth and richness.
Both colors can be found in nature, but periwinkle is more specific to certain flowers like the periwinkle plant, while purple is seen in a variety of flowers, fruits, and even animals.
In art and design, periwinkle is used for its gentle and approachable quality, making it ideal for backgrounds and accents, whereas purple is employed for its striking and regal presence, often taking center stage in a composition.
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Comparison Chart
Color Range
Pale blue-purple
Broad spectrum between red and blue
Intensity
Light, pastel-like
Can be bold and vibrant
Association
Calmness, subtle elegance
Royalty, luxury, mystery
Usage in Fashion
Spring and summer collections
Year-round, especially in autumn and winter
Natural Occurrence
Specific flowers like periwinkle
Various flowers, fruits, animals
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Use in Design
Gentle, approachable
Striking, regal
Periwinkle and Purple Definitions
Periwinkle
A flowering plant with light blue-purple flowers.
The garden was full of blooming periwinkles.
Purple
Used in various contexts for its boldness.
The artist chose purple to highlight the centerpiece of the painting.
Periwinkle
A color used in design for its calming effect.
The nursery walls were painted in periwinkle.
Purple
Any of a group of colors with a hue between that of violet and red.
Periwinkle
A soft, pastel shade between blue and purple.
Her favorite color is periwinkle.
Purple
Cloth of a color between violet and red, formerly worn as a symbol of royalty or high office.
Periwinkle
A pale blue-purple color.
She wore a periwinkle dress to the party.
Purple
Imperial power; high rank
Born to the purple.
Periwinkle
Often associated with spring and summer.
Periwinkle hues dominated the spring fashion collection.
Purple
The rank or office of a cardinal.
Periwinkle
Any of various marine snails of the family Littorinidae, having thick, cone-shaped, whorled shells, especially Littorina littorea, an edible species of the North Atlantic Ocean.
Purple
The rank or office of a bishop.
Periwinkle
The shell or the flesh of any of these snails.
Purple
Of the color purple.
Periwinkle
Any of several shrubby, trailing, evergreen plants of the genus Vinca, especially V. minor, having glossy, dark green, opposite leaves and flowers with a blue, funnel-shaped corolla.
Purple
Royal or imperial; regal.
Periwinkle
Any of several erect herbs of the genus Catharanthus, especially C. roseus, having flowers with a rose-pink or white salverform corolla and a closed throat.
Purple
Elaborate and ornate
Purple prose.
Periwinkle
A pale purplish blue.
Purple
To make or become purple.
Periwinkle
Any of several evergreen plants of the genus Vinca with blue or white flowers.
Purple
A color that is a dark blend of red and blue; dark magenta.
Periwinkle
Similar plants of genus Catharanthus.
Purple
(colour theory) Any non-spectral colour on the line of purples on a colour chromaticity diagram or a colour wheel between violet and red.
Periwinkle
A color with bluish and purplish hues, somewhat light.
Purple
Cloth, or a garment, dyed a purple colour; especially, a purple robe, worn as an emblem of rank or authority; specifically, the purple robe or mantle worn by Ancient Roman emperors as the emblem of imperial dignity.
To put on the imperial purple
Periwinkle
A mollusk of family Littorinidae.
Purple
(by extension) Imperial power, because the colour purple was worn by emperors and kings.
Periwinkle
Of pale bluish purple colour.
Purple
Any of various species of mollusks from which Tyrian purple dye was obtained, especially the common dog whelk.
Periwinkle
Any small marine gastropod shell of the genus Littorina. The common European species (Littorina littorea), in Europe extensively used as food, has recently become naturalized abundantly on the American coast. See Littorina.
Purple
The purple haze cultivar of cannabis in the kush family, either pure or mixed with others, or by extension any variety of smoked marijuana.
Periwinkle
A trailing herb of the genus Vinca.
Purple
(medicine) Purpura.
Periwinkle
Chiefly trailing poisonous plants with blue flowers
Purple
Earcockle, a disease of wheat.
Periwinkle
Commonly cultivated Old World woody herb having large pinkish to red flowers
Purple
Any of the species of large butterflies, usually marked with purple or blue, of the genus Basilarchia (formerly Limenitis).
The banded purple
Periwinkle
Small edible marine snail; steamed in wine or baked
Purple
A cardinalate.
Periwinkle
Edible marine gastropod
Purple
Ellipsis of purple drank
Purple
Having a colour/color that is a dark blend of red and blue.
Purple
(US politics) Not predominantly red or blue, but having a mixture of Democrat and Republican support.
Purple state
Purple city
Purple
(in Netherlands and Belgium) Mixed between social democrats and liberals.
Purple
Imperial; regal.
Purple
Blood-red; bloody.
Purple
(of language) Extravagantly ornate, like purple prose.
Purple
Completed in the fastest time so far in a given session.
Purple
(intransitive) To turn purple in colour.
Purple
(transitive) To dye purple.
Purple
(transitive) To clothe in purple.
Purple
A color formed by, or resembling that formed by, a combination of the primary colors red and blue.
Arraying with reflected purple and goldThe clouds that on his western throne attend.
Purple
Cloth dyed a purple color, or a garment of such color; especially, a purple robe, worn as an emblem of rank or authority; specifically, the purple rode or mantle worn by Roman emperors as the emblem of imperial dignity; as, to put on the imperial purple.
Thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and purple, and scarlet.
Purple
Hence: Imperial sovereignty; royal rank, dignity, or favor; loosely and colloquially, any exalted station; great wealth.
Purple
A cardinalate. See Cardinal.
Purple
Any species of large butterflies, usually marked with purple or blue, of the genus Basilarchia (formerly Limenitis) as, the banded purple (Basilarchia arthemis). See Illust. under Ursula.
Purple
Any shell of the genus Purpura.
Purple
See Purpura.
Purple
A disease of wheat. Same as Earcockle.
Purple
Exhibiting or possessing the color called purple, much esteemed for its richness and beauty; of a deep red, or red and blue color; as, a purple robe.
Purple
Imperial; regal; - so called from the color having been an emblem of imperial authority.
Hide in the dust thy purple pride.
Purple
Blood-red; bloody.
May such purple tears be alway shed.
I view a field of blood,And Tiber rolling with a purple blood.
Purple
To make purple; to dye of purple or deep red color; as, hands purpled with blood.
When mornPurples the east.
Reclining soft in blissful bowers,Purpled sweet with springing flowers.
Purple
A chromatic color between red and blue
Purple
Of imperial status;
He was born to the purple
Purple
Become purple
Purple
Color purple
Purple
Of a color midway between red and blue
Purple
Excessively elaborate or showily expressed;
A writer of empurpled literature
Many purple passages
Speech embellished with classical quotations
An over-embellished story of the fish that got away
Purple
Belonging to or befitting a supreme ruler;
Golden age of imperial splendor
Purple tyrant
Regal attire
Treated with royal acclaim
The royal carriage of a stag's head
Purple
A color between red and blue.
The royal robes were deep purple.
Purple
Often associated with royalty and luxury.
The bedroom had a purple velvet bedspread.
Purple
A color that ranges from light lavender to dark violet.
The sunset painted the sky in shades of purple.
Purple
Seen in many natural elements.
The garden had flowers in every shade of purple.
FAQs
What color is purple?
Purple is a color between red and blue, encompassing a broad range of shades.
Is periwinkle a type of purple?
Yes, periwinkle is a specific, light shade within the purple spectrum.
Can periwinkle be used in home decor?
Yes, periwinkle is often used in home decor for its calming and gentle qualities.
Can purple be a dark color?
Yes, purple can range from light shades to very dark hues like indigo.
What color is periwinkle?
Periwinkle is a pale blue-purple color.
Is purple associated with royalty?
Yes, purple has long been associated with royalty and luxury.
What season is periwinkle most associated with?
Periwinkle is most commonly associated with spring and summer.
Where does the name periwinkle come from?
It is named after the periwinkle flower, which has a similar color.
Is purple used in fashion?
Yes, purple is widely used in fashion and is popular year-round.
What emotions does periwinkle evoke?
Periwinkle evokes calmness, tranquility, and subtle elegance.
What type of events might use purple decor?
Purple is often used in decor for events like weddings and royal ceremonies.
Can periwinkle be bold?
Periwinkle is generally more subtle and pastel-like, not typically bold.
Is periwinkle a popular color for weddings?
Yes, periwinkle is popular for weddings, especially in spring and summer themes.
Is periwinkle a common color in nature?
Periwinkle is common in certain flowers but less widespread compared to purple.
Can periwinkle be used in art?
Yes, periwinkle is used in art for its soft, approachable quality.
Is purple more versatile than periwinkle?
Purple is more versatile due to its broader range of shades.
What kind of statement does purple make in design?
Purple makes a bold, dramatic, and regal statement in design.
What emotions does purple evoke?
Purple evokes feelings of luxury, mystery, and sophistication.
Is periwinkle suitable for children's rooms?
Yes, periwinkle is a popular choice for children's rooms due to its calming effect.
What flowers are typically periwinkle?
The periwinkle plant and some varieties of lavender are typically periwinkle.
About Author
Written by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
