There are a few potential reasons why the numbers 1 and 3 may be associated with the colors pink and purple respectively. Here are some possibilities:
Number symbolism and color
In numerology, numbers are thought to have symbolic meanings and vibrational energies associated with them. The number 1 is often considered to represent new beginnings, individuality, motivation, and self-reliance. The color pink also represents similar energies of joy, sweetness, playfulness and newness. So there is a natural association between the number 1 and the color pink.
The number 3 is associated with communication, creativity, the arts, self-expression and imagination. It’s considered a highly creative number. Purple is also a creative color, associated with royalty, spirituality, mystery and magic. The complementary nature of 3 and the color purple make them a fitting pair.
Early color associations
Early color symbolism often assigned colors, especially primary colors, to the first numbers. The color red was considered number 1, blue was 2 and yellow was 3. The order and associations simply evolved over time to the more common pink for 1 and purple for 3 that we know today.
Primary school education about colors and numbers probably reinforced and standardized these associations in modern times. Generations of children learning that 1 is pink and 3 is purple from early coloring books and visual aids may have cemented the symbolism into our culture.
Aesthetic ordering
There may also be some innate aesthetic ordering to the pairing. The lightness and delicacy of the color pink seems to suit the simplicity of the number 1. The richness and complexity of the color purple seems more fitting for the multidimensionality of the number 3.
Interestingly, in China the color red is considered lucky and positive, so red is more commonly associated with 1 rather than pink. Number symbolism often varies across cultures. But the connectivity between 1 and pink persists strongly in Western culture.
Gender stereotyping
The pairing of 1 with pink may also relate to outdated gender stereotypes that link pink with girls and femininity. One is the smallest single digit number so it is stereotyped as more feminine than masculine numbers like 2 or 3.
Of course, nowadays we recognize that assigning genders to numbers, shapes and colors is an arbitrary social construct. But the early associations are still prevalent.
Branding trends
Branding and marketing strategies that use numbers and colors to appeal to consumers probably reinforce the associations between numbers and colors like 1 and pink as well.
Many brands use pink in their logo or branding if their name starts with a 1. similarly, brands starting with a 3 may be more inclined to use purple branding. Once a few major brands establish a trend, others follow.
Shared symbolism
| Number 1 | Color Pink |
|---|---|
| New beginnings | Newness |
| Youthfulness | Innocence |
| Simplicity | Simplicity |
| Individuality | Femininity |
When you compare the symbolism, pink and 1 share many similar meanings. They both represent fresh starts, purity, innocence, singularity and femininity. So the long-standing association between the two is not surprising given their overlapping symbolic traits.
Shared symbolism
| Number 3 | Color Purple |
|---|---|
| Trinity | Spirituality |
| Creativity | Mystery |
| Balance | Wisdom |
| Communication | Royalty |
Number 3 and the color purple also share many symbolic meanings. They both represent spiritual awareness, mystery, creativity, imagination and nobility. So their pairing seems aligned based on their overlapping symbolism.
Use in education
Young children are commonly taught their numbers and colors together. Number and color pairing starts early with simple activities.
Young students may be instructed to “color the number 1 pink” or “find the purple number 3” in worksheets and assignments. Repetition establishes an early link between certain numbers and colors.
Beyond worksheets, posters, learning toys and more that pair numbers with colors are used to build these associations. The consistent pairing of 1 with pink and 3 with purple in early education materials reinforces the link.
Alignment with early graphics
Primitive computer graphics in the early digital era frequently used basic colors like pink and purple to distinguish elements on the screen. Using pink for any single unit and purple for a group of three was common in early games and graphics.
Seeing 1 rendered in pink and 3 in purple built an inherent visual logic even if unconsciously. The graphics were simple but reinforced the numerical and color connections.
Shared personalities
Some believe numbers and colors have distinct personalities and vibrational qualities. From this view, the energetic quality of the color pink matches the frequency of the number 1.
Pink energy is focused, determined and forward-moving which aligns with the singular leadership of 1. Purple’s magical and visionary energy resonates with the creative dynamism of 3.
So pairing 1 and 3 with pink and purple respects their shared energetic personalities. The numbers and colors “feel” right together based on their spiritual qualities.
Order of rainbow colors
In the visible light spectrum, the order of colors is red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet. Pink sits between red and purple. So pink aligns with 1 and purple follows sequentially at 3 in the color spectrum.
The logical position of pink before purple in the color sequence contributes to the numeric association. Drawing on the physics behind color helps make the 1 pink and 3 purple pairing seem reasonable.
Harmonic patterns
Those who study harmonic mathematical patterns may find additional reasons for the pairing. In pillar numerology, 1 resonates with the harmonic tone of pink and 3 with purple’s wavelength.
In this view, pink and purple notes harmonize elegantly with 1 and 3 due to innate acoustic mathematics underlying colors and numbers. This reveals a harmonic logic to the long-paired association.
Conclusion
The association between 1 and the color pink and between 3 and the color purple stems from many interwoven historical, symbolic, aesthetic and educational influences. While the origins may be unclear, repeated cultural exposure over time establishes logic in the pairings.
The alignment between the symbolic qualities of the numbers and colors creates reasonable meaning. And repeated instruction, graphics and patterns reinforce the combinations as a cultural norm. So the long-standing numerical and color associations persist due to tradition, meaning and familiarity over time.