Purple vs. Mauve: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Updated on September 28, 2023
Purple is a color intermediate between blue and red; Mauve is a pale, grayish violet, a more subdued and neutral shade of purple.
Key Differences
Purple is a vivid color that exists between red and blue on the color spectrum, often associated with royalty, luxury, and power. It is a rich and prominent color often used to represent various cultural, religious, and political elements. In contrast, Mauve is a pale, grayish violet shade of purple, often associated with subtleness and sophistication. It's named after the mallow flower, and it is more subdued and neutral compared to the vibrancy of purple.
The variance in hue between Purple and Mauve can be attributed to their different undertones and color saturations. Purple generally has equal amounts of red and blue, leading to a deep, intense color. On the other hand, Mauve has more grey and blue tones, giving it a softer, more muted appearance. While both are derivatives of mixing red and blue, the proportions and additional tones significantly affect the final appearance of the colors.
In artistic contexts, Purple is frequently used to create a sense of depth, richness, and luxury in a piece due to its vibrant and intense nature. Mauve, with its subdued and elegant appearance, is often used to evoke feelings of softness, delicacy, and sophistication, making it a suitable color for subtle and calm atmospheres. These colors' application demonstrates the versatile roles they play in conveying emotions and aesthetics in art.
In historical contexts, Purple has always been a symbol of royalty and wealth due to the scarcity and expense of purple dye. The perception of Purple as a luxurious color can be traced back to ancient civilizations. Mauve, discovered in the mid-19th century, gained popularity during the Victorian era. It became a fashion sensation due to its uniqueness and the public's desire for new and fashionable colors. This demonstrates the cultural impacts and symbolisms attached to Purple and Mauve throughout history.
Comparison Chart
Hue
Intermediate between red and blue
Pale, grayish violet
ADVERTISEMENT
Intensity
Vibrant and rich
Subdued and neutral
Symbolism
Royalty, luxury, and power
Subtleness and sophistication
Usage in Art
Creates depth and luxury due to its intensity
Evokes feelings of softness and sophistication
Historical Context
Associated with royalty and wealth
Became popular in the Victorian era due to its uniqueness
Purple and Mauve Definitions
Purple
A symbol of wealth and luxury.
The Purple velvet was lush and rich.
ADVERTISEMENT
Mauve
Named after the French word for mallow flower.
The Mauve petals floated on the water.
Purple
A color associated with spirituality.
Many relate Purple to spiritual enlightenment.
Mauve
A neutral and soft hue of purple.
The Mauve shadows were soft and subtle.
Purple
A color used to depict depth in art.
The artist used Purple to add depth to the painting.
Mauve
A pale, grayish violet color.
The Mauve curtains added a subtle elegance to the room.
Purple
Any of a group of colors with a hue between that of violet and red.
Mauve
Popularized in the Victorian era.
Victorian ladies favored Mauve gowns.
Purple
Cloth of a color between violet and red, formerly worn as a symbol of royalty or high office.
Mauve
A moderate grayish violet to reddish purple.
Purple
Imperial power; high rank
Born to the purple.
Mauve
(historical) A bright purple synthetic dye.
Purple
The rank or office of a cardinal.
Mauve
The colour of this dye; a pale purple or violet colour.
Purple
The rank or office of a bishop.
Mauve
Having a pale purple colour.
Purple
Of the color purple.
Mauve
A color of a delicate purple, violet, or lilac.
Purple
Royal or imperial; regal.
Mauve
A moderate purple
Purple
Elaborate and ornate
Purple prose.
Mauve
Of a pale to moderate grayish violet color
Purple
To make or become purple.
Mauve
Associated with subtleness and sophistication.
Her Mauve dress was understated yet sophisticated.
Purple
A color that is a dark blend of red and blue; dark magenta.
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.
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
Purple
(by extension) Imperial power, because the colour purple was worn by emperors and kings.
Purple
Any of various species of mollusks from which Tyrian purple dye was obtained, especially the common dog whelk.
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.
Purple
(medicine) Purpura.
Purple
Earcockle, a disease of wheat.
Purple
Any of the species of large butterflies, usually marked with purple or blue, of the genus Basilarchia (formerly Limenitis).
The banded purple
Purple
A cardinalate.
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 intermediate between red and blue.
The Purple robe looked royal.
Purple
Representing creativity and wisdom.
Purple banners represented wisdom.
FAQs
Can Purple and Mauve be used interchangeably?
While related, they refer to different shades and are not interchangeable.
Can Mauve be considered a neutral color?
Due to its subtleness, Mauve can be considered more neutral compared to vibrant Purple.
Is Mauve always pale?
Typically, yes. Mauve is defined by its pale, subdued appearance.
How do you make the color Purple?
Purple is made by combining equal amounts of blue and red.
Is Mauve more gray than Purple?
Yes, Mauve often has grayish tones, making it more subdued than vibrant Purple.
Why is Purple associated with royalty?
Historically, Purple dye was scarce and expensive, making it a symbol of wealth and royalty.
Why was Mauve popular in the Victorian era?
Mauve gained popularity due to its uniqueness and the Victorian desire for new and fashionable colors.
Is Mauve a shade of Purple?
Yes, Mauve is a pale, grayish violet shade of Purple.
Is Purple always a bright color?
No, Purple can have varying degrees of brightness and saturation.
Are there different shades of Purple and Mauve?
Yes, both Purple and Mauve have varying shades with different levels of saturation and brightness.
When was Mauve discovered?
Mauve was first synthesized in the mid-19th century.
How do you make the color Mauve?
Mauve can be made by mixing purple and gray, or by adding more blue and less red to a purple mixture.
Are Purple and Mauve warm or cool colors?
Purple is generally considered a cool color, while Mauve, due to its grayish tones, can be perceived as a neutral or cool color.
Is Purple a primary color?
No, Purple is a secondary color made by mixing red and blue, which are primary colors.
Can Purple represent spirituality?
Yes, Purple is often associated with spirituality and enlightenment.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
