Periwinkle is a color that falls somewhere between blue and purple on the color spectrum. When most people think of periwinkle, they imagine a light purplish-blue hue. But is periwinkle technically more blue or more purple? The answer depends on how you define and categorize colors.
What is Periwinkle?
Periwinkle is a pale indigo color that takes its name from the periwinkle flower. The color periwinkle is said to have been first used in the 18th century, while the color takes its name from the periwinkle plant which has been known since ancient times.
The periwinkle plant (Vinca minor) is a flowering plant that grows as a ground cover and has blue flowers. The word periwinkle comes from Middle English pervenke, from the Latin pervinca, possibly meaning “to overpower” in reference to the plant’s spreading growth.
In terms of hex color codes, periwinkle colors are defined as:
| Periwinkle | #CCCCFF |
| Periwinkle (Crayola) | #C5D0E6 |
| Baby Periwinkle | #D1D1FF |
These color codes demonstrate that periwinkle falls in the spectrum of lighter blues and purples. The hue sits between a lavender shade and a light sky blue.
Is Periwinkle More Blue or Purple?
When deciding whether periwinkle is more blue or more purple, there are a few factors to consider:
Appearance
In terms of appearance, periwinkle looks more blue than purple to most observers. It lacks the deep red undertones of purple and appears closer to a pale blue. However, it is not a pure blue and has hints of purple, so it falls somewhere in between the two hues.
Color Wheel Position
On a traditional RYB (red, yellow, blue) color wheel, periwinkle falls closer to blue than purple. Blue and purple are complementary colors, meaning they are directly across from each other on the color wheel. Periwinkle lies much closer to blue on the spectrum.
Hex Codes
Looking at common hex color codes for periwinkle also suggests it is more blue. Most codes start with “CC” which denotes a shade of cyan blue. Pure blues have hex codes starting with “33” while purples start with “99” or “66”. So in the hexadecimal system, periwinkle is classified as a light blue.
Technical Definitions
Technically, periwinkle would likely be defined as a “light bluish purple” or a “light purplish blue”. In color theory terms, it is defined more by its lightness and softness than as strictly a blue or purple. This indicates it falls somewhere between the two hues rather than fitting squarely into one category.
Is Periwinkle Considered a “Warm” or “Cool” Color?
In color theory, hues are often categorized as being “warm” or “cool” colors. Warm colors like red, yellow and orange evoke feelings of energy and warmth. Cool colors like blue, purple and green are considered tranquil and soothing.
Periwinkle would be considered a cool color, because it falls on the blue side of the color spectrum. Its soft blue tones give it a cool and calming feeling, rather than the vibrancy of warm colors.
Subjective Nature of Color
How people perceive color is largely subjective. Factors like personal experiences and cultural associations can influence how we classify a color. This means that not everyone will see periwinkle in the same way.
While many see periwinkle as a light blue, someone else may perceive it as more of a soft purple. In the end, whether periwinkle is blue or purple comes down to an individual’s own color interpretation.
How Periwinkle is Used
Examining how periwinkle is used in design and marketing also gives clues to whether it fits better as a blue or purple:
Clothing & Fashion
In clothing and accessories, periwinkle is often used to provide a subtle pop of color that complements outfits in blue, purple, pink or white. Its soft blue hue allows it to fit seamlessly into ensembles in a variety of cool color palettes.
Weddings
Periwinkle is a popular wedding color, included often in color schemes along with soft greens, silvers, blues and purples. It provides a lighter alternative to more traditional royal purple wedding hues. The cool tone allows it to complement white for bridal gowns and decor.
Branding
Some well-known brands have used periwinkle in their logos and branding, including The New Yorker, Anne Klein, Garanimals,Dickeys and Tiffany & Co. In marketing, it evokes feelings of wisdom, sentimentality and nostalgia.
Gender Marketing
Many baby products and children’s toys use periwinkle as a gender-neutral color. It provides a softer color that isn’t strongly feminine or masculine like pink or blue.
Periwinkle vs. Lilac and Lavender
Periwinkle is often compared to the pastel purple shades of lilac and lavender. While it shares some similarities, periwinkle is distinct from these other hues:
Periwinkle vs. Lilac
| Periwinkle | Lilac |
| Slightly bluer, with only a small amount of red/pink undertone | Contains more red/pink undertones compared to periwinkle |
| Appears brighter and crisper | Muted and soft, less vibrant |
| Cool undertones | Slightly warm undertones |
Periwinkle vs. Lavender
| Periwinkle | Lavender |
| Blue with a hint of purple | Purple with a hint of blue |
| Brighter, more saturated | Paler, less saturated |
| Bold blue undertones | Subtle cool undertones leaning gray |
As shown above, periwinkle differs from lilac and lavender due to its stronger blue undertones. It is also brighter than the more muted purple shades.
How Lighting Affects Periwinkle
The way periwinkle appears is affected by different lighting conditions. This can make it seem more blue or more purple depending on the environment.
Daylight
In natural daylight, periwinkle often looks more blue because cool, white light brings out its blue undertones. Outdoor light emphasizes the crispness of the color.
Indoor Lighting
Under incandescent or fluorescent indoor lighting, periwinkle can take on a subtle lavender appearance, looking slightly more purple or grayish.
Shade/Shadow
In shaded areas or shadow, periwinkle loses some of its brightness and can look more purple than blue. The cool tones become muted rather than vibrant.
Conclusion
Based on an analysis of its technical qualities and usage, periwinkle seems to fit better as a light blue with hints of purple, rather than strictly a shade of purple. Its hue lies closer to blue on the color wheel and spectrum, and it lacks the strong red/pink undertones of most purple shades. Periwinkle’s soft, cool nature does make it somewhat of a hybrid color that bridges the gap between blue and purple, but it falls decisively on the blue side. However, individual perceptions may vary, especially depending on lighting conditions. In the end, periwinkle is a beautiful and versatile color, whether you consider it blue or purple!