Purple vs. Indigo: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 27, 2023
Purple is a color combining red and blue. Indigo is a deep blue with a hint of violet.
Key Differences
"Purple is a secondary color made by combining red and blue. Indigo is a tertiary color, more complex, created by blending blue and violet."
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Dec 27, 2023
"Indigo is often associated with the deep color of denim. Purple is widely seen in flowers and is symbolic of royalty."
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Dec 27, 2023
"Purple can range from light lavender to dark plum. Indigo is typically a deep, saturated color, reminiscent of the night sky."
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Dec 27, 2023
"Indigo is named after the Indigo plant used for dyeing. Purple has historically been expensive to produce, hence its regal connotations."
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Dec 27, 2023
"Purple is used in art for its rich and vibrant hues. Indigo is essential in the traditional color spectrum, located between blue and violet."
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Dec 27, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Basic Definition
A color made by mixing red and blue.
A deep blue with violet tones.
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Common Associations
Royalty, luxury, creativity.
Depth, intuition, denim fabric.
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Historical Significance
Expensive dye in ancient times.
Named after the indigo dye plant.
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Usage in Art
Symbolizes fantasy, mystery.
Used to convey depth, night scenes.
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Purple and Indigo Definitions
Purple
A color combining red and blue.
The sunset sky was a beautiful shade of purple.
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Indigo
Associated with denim and deep sea colors.
Her indigo dress matched the color of the ocean.
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Purple
Can vary from light lavender to deep plum.
Her favorite flowers were the light purple lilacs.
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Indigo
Often used to represent intuition and depth.
His paintings often featured indigo to symbolize depth.
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Indigo
Named after the indigo dye from the plant.
The jeans were dyed with natural indigo.
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Purple
Cloth of a color between violet and red, formerly worn as a symbol of royalty or high office.
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Indigo
Any of various shrubs or herbs of the genus Indigofera in the pea family, having pinnately compound leaves and usually red or purple flowers in axillary racemes.
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Indigo
A dark blue crystalline compound, C16H10N2O2, that is obtained from these plants or produced synthetically and is widely used as a textile dye. Also called indigotin.
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Indigo
Any of several related plants, especially those of the genera Amorpha and Baptisia.
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Indigo
The hue of that portion of the visible spectrum lying between blue and violet, evoked in the human observer by radiant energy with wavelengths of approximately 420 to 450 nanometers; a dark blue to grayish purple blue.
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Indigo
An indigo-colored dye obtained from certain plants (the indigo plant or woad), or a similar synthetic dye.
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Indigo
An indigo plant, such as from species in genera Indigofera, Amorpha (false indigo), Baptisia (wild indigo), and Psorothamnus and Dalea (indigo bush).
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Purple
(colour theory) Any non-spectral colour on the line of purples on a colour chromaticity diagram or a colour wheel between violet and red.
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Indigo
A blue dyestuff obtained from several plants belonging to very different genera and orders, such as, the woad, Isatis tinctoria (family Cruciferae), Indigofera suffroticosa, Indigofera tinctoria (family Leguminosae), Indigofera Anil, Nereum tinctorium, Polygonum tinctorium Ait. (family Polygonaceae), etc.; called also natural indigo. It is a dark blue earthy substance, tasteless and odorless, with a copper-violet luster when rubbed. Indigo does not exist in the plants as such, but is obtained by decomposition of the glycoside indican.
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Purple
Cloth, or a garment, dyed a purple colour; especially, a purple robe, worn as an emblem of rank or authority; specifically, the purple robe or mantle worn by Ancient Roman emperors as the emblem of imperial dignity.
To put on the imperial purple
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Purple
(by extension) Imperial power, because the colour purple was worn by emperors and kings.
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Purple
Any of various species of mollusks from which Tyrian purple dye was obtained, especially the common dog whelk.
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Indigo
Deciduous subshrub of southeastern Asia having pinnate leaves and clusters of red or purple flowers; a source of indigo dye
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Purple
The purple haze cultivar of cannabis in the kush family, either pure or mixed with others, or by extension any variety of smoked marijuana.
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Indigo
A deep blue color with violet tones.
The night sky was a shade of dark indigo.
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Indigo
A color in the traditional rainbow spectrum.
Indigo is one of the seven colors of the rainbow.
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Purple
Any of the species of large butterflies, usually marked with purple or blue, of the genus Basilarchia (formerly Limenitis).
The banded purple
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Purple
(US politics) Not predominantly red or blue, but having a mixture of Democrat and Republican support.
Purple state
Purple city
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Purple
(in Netherlands and Belgium) Mixed between social democrats and liberals.
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Purple
A color formed by, or resembling that formed by, a combination of the primary colors red and blue.
Arraying with reflected purple and goldThe clouds that on his western throne attend.
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Oct 19, 2023
Purple
Cloth dyed a purple color, or a garment of such color; especially, a purple robe, worn as an emblem of rank or authority; specifically, the purple rode or mantle worn by Roman emperors as the emblem of imperial dignity; as, to put on the imperial purple.
Thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and purple, and scarlet.
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Purple
Hence: Imperial sovereignty; royal rank, dignity, or favor; loosely and colloquially, any exalted station; great wealth.
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Purple
Any species of large butterflies, usually marked with purple or blue, of the genus Basilarchia (formerly Limenitis) as, the banded purple (Basilarchia arthemis). See Illust. under Ursula.
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Purple
Exhibiting or possessing the color called purple, much esteemed for its richness and beauty; of a deep red, or red and blue color; as, a purple robe.
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Purple
Imperial; regal; - so called from the color having been an emblem of imperial authority.
Hide in the dust thy purple pride.
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Oct 19, 2023
Purple
Blood-red; bloody.
May such purple tears be alway shed.
I view a field of blood,And Tiber rolling with a purple blood.
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Purple
To make purple; to dye of purple or deep red color; as, hands purpled with blood.
When mornPurples the east.
Reclining soft in blissful bowers,Purpled sweet with springing flowers.
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Purple
Excessively elaborate or showily expressed;
A writer of empurpled literature
Many purple passages
Speech embellished with classical quotations
An over-embellished story of the fish that got away
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Purple
Belonging to or befitting a supreme ruler;
Golden age of imperial splendor
Purple tyrant
Regal attire
Treated with royal acclaim
The royal carriage of a stag's head
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Purple
Often associated with royalty and luxury.
The queen's robe was a rich purple.
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Purple
A vibrant color used in artistic expressions.
The artist used purple to highlight the painting's mood.
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Dec 27, 2023
Purple
Symbolic of creativity and imagination.
The purple decor in the room sparked creativity.
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Dec 27, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can purple vary in shade?
Yes, purple ranges from light lavender to dark plum.
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Dec 27, 2023
What emotions does indigo evoke?
Indigo can evoke feelings of depth and intuition.
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Dec 27, 2023
Is purple considered a warm or cool color?
Purple can be both, depending on the shade.
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Dec 27, 2023
How does purple affect room aesthetics?
Purple can add a touch of luxury and creativity to a room.
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Dec 27, 2023
What does purple symbolize in culture?
Purple often symbolizes royalty, luxury, and creativity.
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Dec 27, 2023
What is the primary difference between purple and indigo?
Purple is a mix of red and blue, while indigo is a deep blue with violet tones.
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Dec 27, 2023
How is indigo used in clothing?
Indigo is commonly used to dye denim fabric.
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Dec 27, 2023
Was purple always accessible as a dye?
Historically, purple dye was rare and expensive.
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Dec 27, 2023
How is indigo perceived in art?
Indigo is used to convey depth and is often seen in night scenes.
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Dec 27, 2023
Does indigo appear in the rainbow?
Yes, indigo is traditionally one of the rainbow colors.
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Dec 27, 2023
What industries use purple frequently?
Fashion, interior design, and arts often use purple.
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Dec 27, 2023
Are there natural sources of purple dye?
Yes, but they were historically rarer than other dyes.
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Dec 27, 2023
Is indigo more blue or violet?
Indigo is primarily blue with a hint of violet.
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What historical significance does indigo have?
Indigo has a long history in textile dyeing.
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
Hifza Nasir
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