What is the Difference Between Violet and Purple

We often assume that violet and purple are the same color. Both sit between red and blue on the color wheel and look similar at first glance, which is why people easily confuse them. But scientifically and artistically, they are different

What is the difference between violet and purple? Violet is a true color of light that appears in the rainbow, whereas purple is a man-made color created by mixing red and blue.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Violet  
     – Definition, Features
2. What is Purple
     – Definition, Features 
3. Similarities Between Violet and Purple
     – Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Violet and Purple
     – Comparison of Key Differences
5. FAQ: Violet and Purple
     – Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Key Terms

Violet, Purple

What is Violet

Violet is a color that appears at the shortest wavelength of visible light (this means it sits at one end of the rainbow). Its light waves measure about 380 to 450 nanometers, so it is the highest-energy color the human eye can see. The name “violet” comes from the violet flower, a small purple-colored bloom from the Viola plant family.

Violet was one of the seven colors first named by Isaac Newton when he studied the spectrum of light in 1672. In the RGB color model used on screens (like TVs, phones, and computers), violet is made by mixing red and blue light, with more blue than red.

What is Purple

Purple is a color that sits between red and blue in a color wheel. In fact, it is created by mixing those two colors together. Purple is not a spectral color, and it doesn’t exist as a single wavelength of light. As it is a blend of red and blue light, it has many different shades, from soft lavender to deep plum.

The word “purple” has been used since around 975 AD, and throughout history, it has been linked to royalty, power, luxury, magic, and mystery. This is because purple dye was once extremely rare and expensive to make, so only kings, emperors, and high-ranking church leaders could afford it. For example, rulers of the Byzantine Empire and the Holy Roman Empire wore purple. Even today, Roman Catholic bishops use this color in their garments.

People often confuse violet with purple, but they are not exactly the same. In science, violet is a pure spectral color as it comes from a single wavelength of light. Purple, however, is a mix of red and blue light that the brain sees as a similar shade, but it doesn’t exist as a single wavelength in the rainbow.

Similarities Between Violet and Purple

1. Both are colors that appear between red and blue on the color wheel.
2. They are often grouped together because they look similar to the human eye.
3. Both are commonly used to represent creativity, mystery, and spirituality in art and design.
4. They can appear in nature, especially in flowers, plants, and gemstones.

Difference Between Violet and Purple

Definition

• Violet is a spectral color that occurs naturally in the visible light spectrum, whereas purple is a composite color made by mixing red and blue.

Wavelength

• Violet has its own real wavelength (about 380–450 nanometers). But purple does not have a single wavelength because it is not part of the spectrum.

How They Are Created

• Violet comes from a single light source, while purple is created by combining red and blue light or pigments.

Art

• In art, both violet and purple appear on the color wheel, but violet is placed closer to blue, while purple is closer to red.

Appearance:

• Violet usually looks more bluish and cooler in tone, whereas purple has a slightly redder, warmer appearance.

FAQ: Violet and Purple

1. Are violet and purple the same thing?

Violet and purple are not the same thing. Violet is a real color in the light spectrum, but purple is a mix of red and blue. They look similar, but they are created differently.

2. How to make purple?

You can make purple by mixing red and blue together. If you add more blue, the purple looks cooler, and if you add more red, it looks warmer.

3. Is the rainbow purple or violet?

The rainbow ends with violet, not purple. Violet is a real color of light in the spectrum, whereas purple is a mix of red and blue and doesn’t appear naturally in a rainbow.

4. Why is violet not a primary color?

Violet is not a primary color because it can be made by mixing two primary colors: red and blue. Primary colors are basic colors that cannot be created by mixing other colors.

5. Are violets always purple?

Violets are not always purple. Violet flowers can be purple, blue, white, or even yellow, depending on the species. The name refers to the plant, not just the color.

Reference:

1. “Violet.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation.

2. “Purple.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Close-up of Violet Flowers” (CC0) via Pexels

2. “Stripes Background In Purple Shades” (CC0) via PublicDomainPictures