Psychology of Colour – Purple

Purple (or violet) is a color with many connotations and meanings.  In the past it was associated with royalty as it was such a hard color to create from natural materials to dye fabric thus was only worn but the very rich and powerful.  It’s symbolic for wealth and status in Japan.

These days, as purple is the shortest wavelength, and the last color to be seen before the ultra-violet spectrum of rays, purple has been taken on as a spiritual color.  It’s associated with the crown shakra, and to those who believe in such things, is associated with pure thoughts and spirituality.

There are many types of purples, from the red-violets to the blue violets.  The red-violets are warmer and more inviting and invigorating, the blue-violets are cooler and is more calming.

Violet is a more creative colour, it’s not one that you see frequently in traditional business-wear, but excessive use of it can give others the impression of eccentricity.

It’s the symbol of bravery too in the US Military – which awards the Purple Heart for courage in action.

23% of women rate purple as their favorite color.  Pretty much no men do, but 22% of men rate it as their least favorite color.  It’s one that divides – love it or hate it!