When it comes to shades of purple, eggplant is a distinctive and popular color. But with so many purple, violet, and lavender tones to choose from, what color is actually the closest match to classic eggplant? Let’s take a look at some of the top contenders.
Defining Eggplant
First, it helps to precisely define what we mean by “eggplant.” This rich, deep purple hue is named after the glossy skin of eggplants. It falls somewhere between purple and black on the color wheel.
Eggplant is considered a tertiary color, meaning it is created by combining a primary color (red) and secondary color (blue). More specifically, it contains more blue than red, giving it that deep, almost blackish purple appearance.
In hex code, the RGB value of eggplant is #614051. Using other color models:
- CMYK: 59, 90, 32, 43
- HSV: 291°, 51%, 38%
- HSL: 291°, 24%, 26%
So in summary, eggplant can be characterized as a dark purple with subtle hints of blue and red.
Eggplant Color Matches
Now let’s look at some of the closest color matches to true eggplant:
Persian Indigo
Persian indigo is a rich, jewel-toned purple very similar to eggplant. Its hex code is #32127A, with an RGB value of 50, 18, 122. This makes it slightly lighter and brighter than eggplant, but still in the same deep purple family.
Phlox
Phlox is a purple hue named after the phlox flower. With a hex code of #DF00FF, its RGB value is 223, 0, 255. This makes phlox lean slightly more toward the cooler end of the purple spectrum compared to eggplant.
Purple Heart
Purple heart has a hex code of #69359C and an RGB value of 105, 53, 156. This rich, vivid purple is quite close to eggplant, just slightly lighter and warmer in tone.
Royal Purple
As the name suggests, royal purple is a regal, jewel-toned shade close to eggplant. Its hex code is #7851A9 and RGB value is 120, 81, 169. So it is a touch lighter and brighter than classic eggplant.
Deep Purple
Not to be confused with the rock band, this deep purple hue lives up to its name. The hex code is #36013F and the RGB value is 54, 1, 63. Deep purple is extremely close to eggplant, just barely darker.
| Color | Hex Code | RGB Value |
|---|---|---|
| Eggplant | #614051 | 97, 64, 81 |
| Persian Indigo | #32127A | 50, 18, 122 |
| Phlox | #DF00FF | 223, 0, 255 |
| Purple Heart | #69359C | 105, 53, 156 |
| Royal Purple | #7851A9 | 120, 81, 169 |
| Deep Purple | #36013F | 54, 1, 63 |
Comparing Eggplant to Other Purples
Beyond those closest matches, eggplant also relates to some other purples, though they are further away on the color wheel:
Lavender
Lavender is much lighter and softer than eggplant. With a hex code of #B57EDC, it contains more white and pink undertones than the deeper, richer eggplant.
Lilac
Similar to lavender, lilac is also lighter and more pastel than eggplant. Its hex code is #C8A2C8. Lilac is calm, gentle, and feminine compared to the bold intensity of eggplant.
Purple
The basic color purple, with a hex code of #800080, is brighter, cooler, and has more blue undertones than eggplant. When picturing purple, most people visualize a shade lighter than eggplant.
Plum
Plum is a soft reddish-purple that looks almost pink compared to eggplant. It has a hex code of #DDA0DD. While eggplant leans blue, plum goes much more in the red/pink direction.
Mauve
Mauve is a pale, dusty kind of purple, almost grayish lavender. Its hex code is #E0B0FF. This subdued tone couldn’t be more different than the bold, deep eggplant.
Conclusion
When evaluating all these purple shades, the colors closest to classic eggplant are Persian indigo, phlox, purple heart, royal purple, and deep purple. These hues sit right alongside eggplant on the color wheel, containing similar levels of red and blue.
Colors like lavender, lilac, plain purple, plum, and mauve are definitely in the purple family but are quite a bit lighter and brighter than true, deep eggplant. So for paint, fashion, or interior design, if you want to capture the look of eggplant, go with one of those top contenders for an accurate match.
Finding Eggplant in Nature
Beyond color swatches and paint chips, eggplant can also be found in several flowers and plants. Some botanicals that showcase shades of eggplant purple include:
- Calla lilies – These elegant flowers feature deep purple spathes.
- Purple coneflowers – The petals on these daisy-like blooms can be a rich eggplant color.
- Lisianthus – Ruffled lisianthus flowers are available in dusky eggplant hues.
- Clematis – Certain clematis vine varieties produce large vibrant purple flowers.
- Purple basil – This herb’s leaves and blossoms take on hues ranging from royal purple to deep eggplant.
- Eggplants – Of course the actual vegetable that inspired the color often has an eggplant-toned skin.
- Purple heart plant – The leaves on this low-growing perennial are nearly blackish purple.
Incorporating any of these plants into your garden, flower arrangements, or table decor is a great way to bring in that signature eggplant color in a natural form. The rich depth and jewel-tone appear even more stunning on petals and foliage compared to paint.
Eggplant in Fashion and Decor
Beyond the natural world, eggplant is a bold and popular shade for apparel, accessories, and home decor accents. You’ll see it incorporated in elements like:
- Pillows, throws, rugs
- Tablecloths, napkins, placemats
- Drapes, curtains
- Women’s dresses, blouses, and skirts
- Men’s shirts, ties, and scarves
- Purses, handbags
- Shoes, boots
- Jewelry
- Picture frames, vases, candles
Eggplant is a great choice for adding a touch of richness and sophistication. It has an inherently luxurious, elegant look. This makes it perfect for everything from formal tablescapes to cocktail attire.
Compared to lighter purples like lavender, eggplant has a deeper, more mysterious appeal. It creates an exotic, almost regal ambiance. You can use it in moderation as an accent, or make a bold statement covering large pieces of furniture or clothing.
Psychology of Eggplant
Color psychology suggests people see eggplant as:
- Spiritual – The traditional color of spirituality, intuition, and the mystical.
- Creative – Stimulates the imagination, originality, and vision.
- Royal – Associated with luxury, wealth, and extravagance.
- Dramatic – Captures a sense of mystery, allure, and intensity.
So clothing, decor, or designs integrating eggplant tap into this sense of magic, imagination, privilege, and passion. It makes quite a statement and impression compared to more subdued hues.
Cultural Meanings of Eggplant
Looking beyond color psychology, eggplant carries some interesting cultural symbolism:
- In Thailand, eggplants represent good fortune and prosperity.
- During the Victorian era, giving purple flowers (including eggplant-shaded blooms) signified capriciousness.
- In Turkey, eggplant is thought to remove freckles and blemishes from the skin.
- Catholic bishops wear eggplant purple robes to show repentance and solemnity.
- Chinese and Hindu cultures link eggplant to protection against evil spirits.
- Eggplants were initially cultivated in India around 300 BCE.
- The eggplant emoji is often used suggestively for male genitalia.
So the meanings and associations tied to this regal color run quite the gamut, from holy to healthy to naughty!
Signature Eggplant Moments
Finally, eggplant has graced some iconic pop culture moments over the past century. Some of the most memorable include:
- Prince often performed in eggplant-colored suits, guitars, and accessories as a signature look.
- The original book covers for Harry Potter featured deep eggplant purple backgrounds.
- Eggplant was Pantone’s color of the year in 1998.
- Bette Midler wore an eggplant gown to the Oscars in 1986, a major fashion moment.
- Jaclyn Smith famously wore an eggplant-hued jumpsuit in the TV series Charlie’s Angels.
- Legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix favored eggplant-tinted “Purple Haze” guitars later in his career.
Clearly this regal, glamorous shade has made quite an impact through the years across music, movies, fashion, and more. Anytime eggplant appears, it makes a bold, unforgettable statement.
Conclusion
So in summary – when evaluating the closest color match to classic eggplant purple, look for shades like Persian indigo, phlox, purple heart, royal purple, and deep purple. These hues all sit right alongside eggplant on the color wheel for accurate results.
Lighter purples like lilac and mauve may be in the same family but don’t truly capture that iconic deep eggplant appearance. This luxuriously dark purple conveys creativity, spirituality, and sophistication, giving it enduring popularity in both nature and manmade spaces.
