Shades of Purple - A Comprehensive Look at the Different Types of Purple

Purple is a beautiful, regal, and spiritual color. One of the most exciting things that the color purple has to offer is its wide variety of shades. Purple offers so much variety, from deep dark maroons to light and flirty violets. In this article, we are going to take a closer look at the history of some of the most beautiful purple shades that you can incorporate into your work.

The History and Psychology of Purple

When the first purple pigment, called Tyrian purple, was discovered in 1200 B.C.E, the shade was immediately established as a color of luxury and money. This pigment was made by crushing up tiny sea snail shells, making it expensive and time-consuming to produce. As a result, purple was a color reserved for those with power, influence, and money.

From figures like Alexander the Great and Egyptian royalty to Queen Elizabeth II of England, purple has remained a shade of elegance and opulence.

Purple as a Color of Spirituality, Bravery, and Wisdom

In addition to associations of wealth, purple is also associated with wisdom, bravery, and spirituality. In addition to royalty, purple is also commonly used in commendations of bravery, as can be seen in the Purple Heart Medal awarded to soldiers.

When it comes to spiritual meanings, different purple shades have slightly different translations. Light purple hues, for example, tend to have associations with romance and light hearts, while darker shades often encourage feelings of frustration or sadness. In fact, darker purple hues are sometimes associated with the mourning process in some parts of the world.

Shades of Light Purple

We begin our inquiry into purple by investigating a range of different light purple hues. In this list, you will find any kind of purple shade your heart desires, whether they are warm or cool, with blue or pink undertones.

So, let us dive right in and explore the world of light purple, beginning with the warmest shades.

Lavender Blush Purple

A barely-there light purple hue, the lavender blush looks a lot like light pink at first glance, but it is actually composed of equal amounts of blue and red.

Little Princess Purple

Made by the Porter Paints brand, this color is enchanting and light. Although only containing a touch of purple, this shade is very similar to cream and ivory hues. When it comes to painting walls or stationary, try this light purple hue instead of other off-white shades.

Languid Lavender Purple

Like a wistful and lazy Sunday afternoon, so is this lovely airy shade of light purple. If you are looking for a color to represent spring, then you need not look any further than this pale amethyst shade. Versatile and very pretty, we love this gorgeous dusky shade.

Thistle Purple

Just like many of the purple shades on this list, thistle purple receives its name from the thistle plant. This spikey plant is native to Scotland and sports this light warm purple hue. There is a slight gray undertone to this beautiful shade.

Pale Purple

A very light purple shade, pale purple is more of a white shade with a slight purple tint. The purple tint in this light hue is very warm, placing this color right on the border between pink and purple.

Fairy Tale Purple

Fairy tale purple is another purple shade that is bordering on pink because it is so warm. This soft pink-ish shade has underlying hues of lavender, placing it on the purple spectrum.

Fairy tale purple gets its name from its common use in fairy tale illustrations.

Middle Purple

This is the lighter shade of purple in the Crayola sets. Quite close to pink, this shade is described as being medium-light and rather red-heavy. There is a slightly dusky tone to this wonderful shade of purple and as a result, it works very well with neutral shades like tan.

Plum Purple

Plum purple is another very warm light purple shade. This bright purple shade is lighter than the plum fruit, with reddish undertones. Plum purple is so warm and very close to being a pink shade.

African Violet Purple

African violet purple is a beautiful and warm light purple shade. Named after the tone of African violet flowers, this purple is friendly and welcoming. This purple shade definitely leans more towards pink and red rather than blue, and it makes us think of summer and fields of wildflowers.

Heather Purple

Just as the name suggests, heather is one of those purple shades that borders on the gray spectrum. This soft purple shade is the color of the tiny heather blossoms that grow on the moors of Scotland. Similar to lavender purple, this is a beautiful and calming shade that compliments other purple hues very well.

Brilliant Purple

Although the name may suggest a darker and deeper purple hue, this light shade is bright and playful. For us, this color is one of the defining shades of the light purple spectrum.

Mauve Purple

Mauve is a very light and vibrant purple shade that reflects the natural color of a wildflower called mallow. This is a brilliant and warm purple shade, perfect for fields of flowers.

Good Tax Purple

You will have noticed by now that many purple shades have quite strange names, and this beautiful pastel shade is one of them. This purple hue contains a lot of cyan, creating a sense of relaxation and calm.

The lack of yellow and black within this purple shade makes it a little cooler than some of the other shades on this list.

Periwinkle Purple

While the general perception of periwinkle is a baby blue hue, in reality, the periwinkle flower is this beautiful light purple shade. The periwinkle flower can bloom in a range of different shades along this spectrum of purple, blue, and white. This dreamy pale purple shade is warm and inviting.

Shades of Medium Purple

Such a range exists within the purple spectrum that we need to break all the different shades down into three different categories. Medium purple shades are those that are dark in comparison to the lightest, but light when compared against the darkest purple hues.

Again, we begin our list of medium purple colors with the warmest.

Mulberry Purple

As we move towards the pink end of the purple spectrum, we find this beautiful dark mulberry hue. Named after the berry and jam of the same color, this purple shade definitely looks good enough to eat!

Hopbush Purple

Hopbush purple is heavy in magenta and it is on the border of pink. Named after the fruit of the hop bush, this bright beautiful purple shade contrasts wonderfully with bronze and green shades.

Pearly Purple

Pearly Purple is a slightly more muted shade on the warmer side of the purple spectrum. First appearing in crayon sets in the 1990s, this shade is beautifully warm and slightly more understated than some of the bright purples around it on this list.

Orchid Purple

Named after a vivid orchid flower, this beautiful and bright purple shade is incredibly vibrant. Again, this shade is on the border between a very warm purple and a hot pink.

Heliotrope Purple

Heliotrope purple is another vibrant and impactful purple hue. A little cooler than some of the other purple shades on this side of the spectrum, like orchid purple, this hue has a little more of a blue undertone.

Like many of these light purple shades, heliotrope purple is named after the flower of the same name and color.

Sunset Purple

The beautiful shade of a dusky sky as the sun sets, sunset purple is warm and inviting. If you want a purple hue that is a little bolder and darker than lavender, then perhaps you should consider sunset purple.

Dull Purple

Although the name leaves something to be desired, it is a beautiful and warm shade of purple. If you like lilac purple, you are likely to enjoy this darker and deeper shade. This purple is a great option as a very solid medium purple shade.

Lilac Purple

Although this shade is slightly darker than the flower it was named for, it is a beautiful warm purple hue. One of the lighter purple shades, this color can brighten up and breathe life into any color pallet. For the greatest contrast, try pairing this purple hue with light blues like turquoise.

Fuchsia Blue Purple

This brilliant warm purple shade takes its name from the Fuschia pink shade that is used to mix it. Fuschia pink combined with cyan results in this beautiful and bright purple hue.

Purpureus Purple

This beautiful purple shade is one of the oldest hues on this list, receiving its name as far back as 1382. The beautifully vivid purple shade is beginning to lean towards the warmer side of the purple color spectrum.

Twilight Lavender Purple

The color of red wine, this lovely dusky purple makes us think of lavender fields as the sun sets. If you need a slightly warmer mauve purple, this is an ideal option.

Twilight lavender pairs perfectly with a few blues and greens and cool gray shades.

Traditional Purple

When asked to think of a warm purple shade, this is the color that most people picture. Whichever way you go about making this shade of purple, whether with a combination of magenta and cyan or red and blue, the ratio is a roughly even split. A purple of averages in these respects, it is no surprise that this purple hue is called traditional.

Razzmic Berry Purple

It is likely that you have heard the name of this beautiful deep purple hue before. This fun twist on Crayola’s raspberry purple is a little less red than the original. If you want a fun and child-like berry purple shade, this is a wonderful option.

Chinese Violet Purple

If you are looking for a light but deep warm purple hue, then you do not need to look any further than Chinese violet purple. This stunning light aubergine shade makes us think of light red wine or grape juice.

Named after the Chinese flower, this is a moderately deep purple shade.

Pomp and Power Purple

This purple shade is slightly muted but very deep and strong. One of the more moderate tones of purple, this shade is very often associated with royalty and luxury.

Strong Purple

Strong purple is a medium shade of purple that is not as forceful as the name suggests. This color is versatile and reminds us of ripe summer fruits like blackberries.

Old Lavender Purple

Named for its resemblance to dried lavender flowers, this very cool and quite gray purple shade has a significant amount of black and green in the mix. These two additional shades give old lavender its distinct dried shade.

Blue Lilac Purple

As the name suggests, this medium shade of purple is blue-heavy, leaning towards the cooler side of the spectrum. If you like the color purple, perhaps you should consider painting your office walls with this cooler shade, as it has been said to boost productivity and creativity while maintaining an air of calm and tranquility.

Studio Purple

Studio purple is a vibrant shade that combines a sense of playfulness and serenity. This lovely shade has a little more blue in the ratio making it on the cooler side of the purple spectrum.

Amethyst Purple

Amethyst purple is a beautiful shade that leans ever-so-slightly towards the warmer side of the purple spectrum.

Named after the crystal thought to promote love, safety, and healing, you can find emotional support and release in amethyst purple.

Iris Purple

Named after the bright purple flower of the same name, this light, and bright hue is dreamy and soft. Iris purple is a light shade that does not appear muted or lackluster. This stunning purple hue works wonderfully alongside light yellow and green shades to create the impression of fresh spring.

Medium Purple

A cooler shade of purple, this medium shade is in many ways the classic purple hue. You can see from the tone of this purple shade that the ratio has a little more blue than red, giving this vibrant purple hue a cooler edge.

Purple Heart

One of the darkest medium hues, this is another classic Crayola shade. Paler than the color associated with the medals of the same name, this color can be compared to a more intense lavender. This shade contains a fair amount of blue and very little black, giving it its light hue.

Shades of Dark Purple

We have finally reached the last, and biggest section of our list. There are many shades of dark purple with a great variety. Some dark purples actually lean towards green, while others are on the side of deep reddish-brown hues.

Let us explore some of the beautiful dark shades of purple beginning with the warmest.

Insolent Purple

If you are a lover of purple lipstick, then you are likely familiar with this reddish-brown purple hue. A signature shade of Estee Lauder, this color is a combination of pink and deep purple.

Black Currant Purple

Another popular purple lipstick shade is a very dark but very red-purple hue. Perfect for painting black currents and other dark juicy berries, this color would work beautifully with gold and yellow hues.

Wine Dregs Purple

If you were to picture wine purple that is slightly old and musty, then you will arrive at this warm purple hue. This purple shade contains a little gray which tones down the brightness quite a lot. If you want a purple hue that does not quite fit into the traditional boxes, give wine dregs a shot!

Japanese Violet Purple

In Japan, this shade of purple is the official violet shade. This hue belongs to the Japanese traditional group of colors that originated in 660 AD. The purple is a slightly muted violet shade that contains a fair amount of red.

Deep Ruby Purple

Another very red purple hue, this shade contains a significant amount of red. The color is deep, warm, and rather dusky. If you want to make brighter colors pop, you can use this shade alongside them.

Jam Purple

Imagine a freshly canned jar of blackberry jam, and you have this stunning and warm dark purple hue. The dark red in its composition gives the color an incredible vibrancy. If you want to make an impact, try using this purple hue in your work.

Cardinal Purple

This dark reddish shade may not be your idea of a purple hue, but technically it is as it contains blue and red. Close to burgundy in shade, pair this color with jewel tones like amethyst and emerald green.

Amaranth Purple

Named after the flower on a rather unusual-looking plant, this is another reddish-purple hue that straddles the fence of purple and pink. Whether you believe this is a shade of purple or not, you cannot deny that it is an attractive color.

Pansy Purple

This warm dark purple is named after the flower of the same name and color. Somewhere between violet and indigo, you find this deep and dark hue.

Vivid Reddish Purple

The fairly unimaginative name of this color does sum up the shade pretty perfectly. A very warm berry-like purple, this shade would work wonderfully alongside similarly bright hues or more muted shades.

Deep Magenta Purple

A bright neon purple shade, this shade contains a significant amount of magenta. Many may not consider this to be a shade of purple but rather a bright pink.

Electric Purple

While purple is typically a relaxing and calm shade, this bright and fun purple is anything but that. If you are looking for a vibrant splash of color in your work, you will be hard pressed to find anything better than this purple hue.

For the ultimate attention-attracting appearance, try pairing this purple shade with greens and yellows.

Munsell Purple

Another bright purple shade, this color is part of the color system of the same name. This group of colors classifies shades based on the lightness, saturation, and place within the color spectrum. This purple is bright and warm.

Hot Purple

The equivalent of hot pink, this is another very bright and vibrant shade of dark purple. With similarities to electric purple, this shade offers a wonderful pop of color to any piece. For a summary pallet, pair this shade with bright greens, pinks, and yellows.

Mauveine Purple

As one of the first synthetic dyes to be produced, this purple hue has a very interesting history. Discovered purely by chance by a researcher looking for a malaria cure, this beautiful dark warm purple came into our lives by pure accident.

Traffic Purple

A deep and welcoming shade of maroon, this is one of the warmest purple hues. You can find this shade as part of the system for matching colors created by the European RAL.

FedEx Purple

As you can probably guess, this color is synonymous with one of the most prominent delivery companies, known for their speedy delivery and signature purple branding. This purple is quite warm, containing a little more red than blue.

Luxury Purple

One of the colors that give purple its luxurious name, this deep and warm dark purple shade works wonderfully in jewelry. Try pairing this lovely purple hue with shades of gold and green to elevate it to new levels.

Imperial Purple

A beautiful and deep dark purple hue, this color certainly has a royal feel to it. With a strong blue accent, this dark purple shade looks stunning when used next to deep green and blue hues.

Kingfisher Daisy Purple

Named after the plant of the same name, this purple shade reflects the beautiful hue of the blue daisy. This beautiful warm purple hue works very well with cool blues, in particular, making a great addition to purple palettes.

Eminence Purple

This purple color truly lives up to its name, shining brightly and elegantly among some of the other darker purple shades. Since the 1800s, this hue has been commonly used by royal families throughout the world.

Ripe Plum Purple

If you are looking for a bold and bright dark purple, then ripe plum may be the perfect option for you. The shade is fairly warm and very deep, creating an impression wherever it goes.

Séance Purple

You can certainly feel the witchy vibes with this beautiful warm shade of purple. With a slightly ominous and otherworldly tone, this purple contains a significant amount of black and blue.

While still quite warm, these two tones help to dial back the heat of this purple hue.

Tacao Purple

If you need a more subdued cool purple hue, then this may be just the right hue for you. Leaning more towards blue than red, this shade pairs wonderfully with bright and neutral shades.

Ocean Purple

Despite the fact that on the whole, the sea is not purple, the deepness of this color does make us think of the rolling deep. The blue-green undertones make this shade calming.

Spanish Violet Purple

This purple hue has quite a backstory. Named after the shade in a Spanish book of colors, this shade is rich with history and cultural tradition. A middle ground between warm and cool, this dark purple shade is versatile and stunning!

Number 4 Purple

On the cooler side of the purple spectrum, you will find the imaginatively named number 4 purple. Not excessively dark, but dark enough to make an impact, this purple shade is energetic while remaining slightly understated.

Aztech Purple

Of all the purple hues on this dark purple list, this is one of the brightest. With similar energy to bright blues, this cool purple shade contains a significant amount more blue than red.

There is a neon quality to this bright and electrifying purple hue.

Mythical Purple

This lovely calming shade of warm purple pairs wonderfully with sap green and gold.

Aesthetic Purple

Very pleasing to the eye, as suggested by the name of this lovely hue, this deep blue-purple hue has a sense of elegance about it. As with most purple shades, this color really pops when used with yellows, greens, golds, and silvers.

Metallic Purple

Although you may not understand the association between the name and the shade, this deep purple hue works wonderfully with sparkles. Whether you pair it with bright yellows, golds, and silvers, or a range of light blue hues, you will love this color endlessly.

Lakers Purple

Another shade named after a sports team, this color is the signature shade of the team. As you may guess, this purple hue pairs beautifully with bright shades like yellow.

Vulgar Purple

Although the name may not give you a particularly positive impression, this cool and dark shade of purple is more representative of grape jelly. Containing a little more blue than red, this is a lovely deep purple hue that has many versatile uses.

Ultraviolet Purple

On the cooler side of the dark purple spectrum, we find ultraviolet purple. Although we usually associate ultraviolet with things that are bright and outrageous, this is a relatively muted purple shade. With calming energies, ultraviolet purple pairs perfectly with olive green and gray hues.

Cyber Grape Purple

This purple hue has one of the most unique names, and the color itself is also beautiful and original. This purple shade has a calming effect, thanks to the significant amount of blue in its composition.

Deep Purple

A relatively cool blue shade is lovely and deep, hence its name. Compared to dark blue shades, like navy blue, this shade is much lighter and warmer.

To make this color pop, try placing it alongside jewel tones like emerald green.

Navy Purple

If you were to picture a shade of purple that is equivalent to navy blue, then this is the obvious choice. With significantly more blue than red in the mix, this is a very cool shade, that cannot decide whether it is blue or purple.

Kikyo-iru Purple

With a brownish undertone, this dark purple hue is a middle ground between red and blue, with fairly equal amounts of each. The complementing color for this gorgeous purple hue is a slightly muted green shade, like olive green.

Purple Violet

Although you can only see the shade when you look closely, this is a very warm and very dark shade of purple. Another RAL hue, it is possible to compare this dark red shade to slightly brown hues like Oxblood. Thanks to the brown undertones, you can pair this shade with neutral shades and greens.

Matte Purple

At a first glance, you may think that this is actually a shade of black. This very dark and inky purple hue is a great choice as part of a black pallet.

Dark Byzantium Purple

Reminiscent of the extravagance of Byzantium, the ancient city in Greece, this is a dark and luxurious purple hue.

Murasaki Purple

When it comes to this side of the purple spectrum, it may be challenging to spot the differences between these very dark shades. In terms of shades of purple names, the name is the Japanese translation of “purple”, although the word denotes a range of different vegetables of the same hue.

If you are looking to create dramatic accents on a fairly light background, consider this purple hue.

Rustic Purple

This color gets its name from the slightly dusty undertones in it. This dark and warm shade pairs beautifully with heather gray shades and other neutral tones.

Baltimore Ravens Purple

The name of this dark purple shade is named after the distinctive color of the team’s logo. As a result of its darkness, you can pair this purple hue very nicely with black and other dark hues.

Embassy Purple

So dark and cool that it almost seems green, this color was originally created by none other than Ralph Lauren. If you are familiar with black cherries, then you will likely recognize this shade. If you are printing on fabrics, it can be effective to use this shade rather than black.

Eggplant Purple

This purple shade is one of the most recognizable shades with its deep dark hues. This shade is quite regal and works very well alongside green shades.

Purple Taupe

Another purple that seems less purple and perhaps more gray, but is simply more of a neutral shade. Taupe is a shade of beige, and this purple is a combination of this hue and a warm purple. If you are working with a neutral color scheme, this purple will be a great addition.

With so many gorgeous purple shades to choose from, you are spoilt for choice! Whatever your project requires, we guarantee you will find the perfect shade here. From light, neutral purples to deep and dark mulberry shades, there is endless variety and beauty.

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