Periwinkle vs. Purple — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on April 14, 2024
Periwinkle is a soft, pastel blue with hints of lavender, evoking a gentle and calming aesthetic, while purple is a deeper, bolder color associated with royalty and mystique.
Difference Between Periwinkle and Purple
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Periwinkle is a light, bluish-purple color that derives its name from the periwinkle flower. It is often seen as delicate and soothing. On the other hand, purple is a color that can range from light lilac to a deep violet, typically seen as more vibrant and associated with luxury.
Periwinkle tends to be used in design for creating a serene, welcoming atmosphere, ideal for bedrooms and nurseries. Whereas, purple is frequently chosen for its boldness, suitable for accents in areas that command authority or creativity.
In fashion, periwinkle offers a subtle, feminine touch to outfits, making it perfect for spring and summer wardrobes. Conversely, purple is a popular choice for making a fashion statement, often used in fall and winter collections.
Periwinkle is less saturated and lighter, making it less imposing in artwork and more adaptable to peaceful themes. Purple, with its varying shades, can evoke a wide range of emotions, from the mysterious to the spiritual.
Periwinkle often symbolizes blossoming friendships and gentle beginnings in floral arrangements and gifts. Purple, however, is frequently used to signify wealth, wisdom, and respect, making it a common choice for ceremonial and prestigious events.
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Comparison Chart
Hue
Light bluish-purple
Can range from light lilac to deep violet
Common Associations
Calm, serenity, gentleness
Royalty, luxury, mystery
Usage in Design
Nurseries, bedrooms, calming spaces
Bold accents, creative spaces
Symbolism
Gentle beginnings, friendship
Wealth, wisdom, prestige
Popular in
Spring and summer fashion
Fall and winter fashion
Compare with Definitions
Periwinkle
Used in design to create a welcoming and peaceful space.
The periwinkle curtains transformed the room into a serene haven.
Purple
A color ranging from deep violet to light lilac.
The artist chose a vibrant shade of purple for the sunset.
Periwinkle
A soft, light blue with hints of lavender.
The periwinkle walls added a soothing touch to the nursery.
Purple
Represents wisdom, dignity, and pride.
The graduates wore purple stoles as a mark of their achievement.
Periwinkle
Derived from the periwinkle flower, known for its gentle hue.
She wore a dress the color of periwinkle petals.
Purple
Associated with royalty and luxury.
The purple velvet robe gave him an air of regality.
Periwinkle
Often associated with tranquility and calm.
They chose periwinkle for the spa's interior to enhance the relaxing atmosphere.
Purple
Frequently used in ceremonial and prestigious contexts.
Purple flowers adorned the hall for the official ceremony.
Periwinkle
Symbolizes new friendships and beginnings.
The periwinkle ribbon represented a fresh start.
Purple
Popular in bold and creative designs.
They used purple accents to give the room a dramatic flair.
Periwinkle
An Old World plant with flat five-petalled, typically bluish flowers and glossy leaves. Some kinds are grown as ornamentals and some contain alkaloids used in medicine.
Purple
Purple may refer to any of a variety of colors with hue between red and blue. However, the meaning of the color term purple differs even among native speakers of English, for example when comparing speakers from the United Kingdom with those from the United States )..
Periwinkle
Another term for winkle
Purple
A colour intermediate between red and blue
The painting was mostly in shades of blue and purple
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
A crimson dye obtained from some molluscs, formerly used for fabric worn by an emperor or senior magistrate in ancient Rome or Byzantium.
Periwinkle
The shell or the flesh of any of these snails.
Purple
Of a colour intermediate between red and blue
A faded purple T-shirt
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
Make or become purple in colour
Edmund's cheeks purpled
The neon was purpling the horizon above the highway
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
Any of a group of colors with a hue between that of violet and red.
Periwinkle
A pale purplish blue.
Purple
Cloth of a color between violet and red, formerly worn as a symbol of royalty or high office.
Periwinkle
Any of several evergreen plants of the genus Vinca with blue or white flowers.
Purple
Imperial power; high rank
Born to the purple.
Periwinkle
Similar plants of genus Catharanthus.
Purple
The rank or office of a cardinal.
Periwinkle
A color with bluish and purplish hues, somewhat light.
Purple
The rank or office of a bishop.
Periwinkle
A mollusk of family Littorinidae.
Purple
Of the color purple.
Periwinkle
Of pale bluish purple colour.
Purple
Royal or imperial; regal.
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
Elaborate and ornate
Purple prose.
Periwinkle
A trailing herb of the genus Vinca.
Purple
To make or become purple.
Periwinkle
Chiefly trailing poisonous plants with blue flowers
Purple
A color that is a dark blend of red and blue; dark magenta.
Periwinkle
Commonly cultivated Old World woody herb having large pinkish to red flowers
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
Small edible marine snail; steamed in wine or baked
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
Edible marine gastropod
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
(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
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
Common Curiosities
What is purple?
Purple is a color that ranges from light lilac to deep violet, known for its depth and vibrancy.
Where is periwinkle commonly used?
It's commonly used in spaces intended for relaxation like bedrooms and nurseries.
Where is purple commonly used?
Purple is often used in spaces that aim to inspire creativity and make bold statements, like living rooms or galleries.
What does periwinkle symbolize?
It symbolizes new beginnings and friendship.
What is periwinkle?
Periwinkle is a soft, light bluish-purple color, soothing and gentle in appearance.
How do periwinkle and purple affect mood in interior design?
Periwinkle is calming and can make spaces feel more tranquil, whereas purple can energize and add a sense of luxury.
Which color is considered more luxurious?
Purple is typically associated with luxury and regality.
Which color is lighter?
Periwinkle is lighter with a pastel tone.
What does purple symbolize?
It symbolizes wealth, wisdom, and prestige.
Which is more popular in fashion?
Both are popular, but purple is often seen in bold, statement pieces, while periwinkle is favored in light, airy garments.
Can periwinkle and purple be used together in design?
Yes, they can complement each other well, especially in floral and fabric designs.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
