Lilac vs. Purple — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 16, 2024
Lilac is a pale violet tone, reminiscent of the lilac flower, symbolizing early spring. Purple is a deeper, richer hue, often associated with royalty and luxury.
Difference Between Lilac and Purple
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Lilac is a light, pale purple color with a pinkish hue, inspired by the color of lilac flowers. It is often associated with freshness, youth, and the beginning of spring, evoking a sense of renewal and growth. On the other hand, purple is a more saturated color that combines red and blue in varying degrees, resulting in a deep, vibrant hue. Purple has historical associations with royalty, nobility, luxury, and power, due to the rarity and expense of purple dye in ancient times.
The color lilac, due to its softness and subtlety, is frequently used in design and fashion to convey femininity, elegance, and a sense of calmness. It's also a popular choice in interior design, particularly for spaces seeking to create a serene, inviting atmosphere. Whereas, purple, with its richness and depth, is often used to create a bold statement, symbolizing creativity, mystery, and sophistication. It's a favored color in branding for products and services that wish to convey a sense of luxury and exclusivity.
In the context of color psychology, lilac can evoke feelings of nostalgia and romance, partly due to its association with the first blooms of spring. It's considered uplifting and can inspire creativity, especially in lighter, more pastel settings. Purple's psychological effects are more varied, ranging from calming, when used in lighter shades like lavender, to stimulating and inspiring awe in its deeper, royal variations. Purple can also signify spiritual fulfillment and is often used in meditation spaces and branding for wellness products.
The use of lilac versus purple can significantly affect the mood and style of a space or design. Lilac, with its airy and light quality, is excellent for creating a soft, welcoming environment, making it ideal for bedrooms, nurseries, and personal care brands. In contrast, purple, especially in its darker shades, is suited for spaces and products that aim to evoke a sense of luxury, creativity, and depth, such as high-end fashion, luxury goods, and creative arts.
While lilac and purple share a base in the color spectrum, their cultural, psychological, and visual impacts differ greatly. Lilac, light and delicate, brings a sense of spring and renewal, while purple, rich and deep, communicates luxury, creativity, and a touch of mystery.
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Comparison Chart
Hue
Light, pale violet with a pinkish hue.
Deep, vibrant mix of red and blue.
Associations
Freshness, youth, spring.
Royalty, luxury, nobility.
Use in Design
Femininity, elegance, calmness.
Boldness, creativity, luxury.
Psychological Effects
Nostalgia, romance, upliftment.
Creativity, mystery, luxury.
Ideal for
Inviting atmospheres, serene spaces.
Bold statements, luxury branding.
Compare with Definitions
Lilac
Symbolizes spring.
The wedding theme was lilac, symbolizing new beginnings.
Purple
Associated with royalty.
The purple velvet robe highlighted his regal presence.
Lilac
Inspires creativity.
The artist used lilac hues to add a touch of whimsy.
Purple
Varies in meaning.
Deep purple signifies wealth, while lavender suggests serenity.
Lilac
Promotes calmness.
The spa’s lilac walls created a soothing environment.
Purple
Symbolizes luxury.
Luxury brands often use purple in their packaging.
Lilac
Elicits nostalgia.
The lilac scent evoked memories of early spring days.
Purple
Encourages creativity.
The studio was painted purple to inspire artistic work.
Lilac
Conveys femininity.
She chose a lilac dress for its soft and elegant appeal.
Purple
Used for bold statements.
Her purple hat added a dramatic flair to her outfit.
Lilac
A Eurasian shrub or small tree of the olive family, which has fragrant violet, pink, or white blossom and is a popular garden ornamental.
Purple
Purple may refer to any of a variety of colors with hue between red and blue. However, the meaning of the color term purple differs even among native speakers of English, for example when comparing speakers from the United Kingdom with those from the United States )..
Lilac
Any of various shrubs of the genus Syringa, especially S. vulgaris, which has been widely cultivated for its clusters of fragrant flowers that are usually purplish or white but may be pink, blue, or creamy yellow depending on the cultivar.
Purple
A colour intermediate between red and blue
The painting was mostly in shades of blue and purple
Lilac
A pale to light or moderate purple.
Purple
A crimson dye obtained from some molluscs, formerly used for fabric worn by an emperor or senior magistrate in ancient Rome or Byzantium.
Lilac
A large shrub of the genus Syringa, especially Syringa vulgaris, bearing white, pale-pink, or purple flowers.
Purple
Of a colour intermediate between red and blue
A faded purple T-shirt
Lilac
A flower of the lilac shrub.
Purple
Make or become purple in colour
Edmund's cheeks purpled
The neon was purpling the horizon above the highway
Lilac
(color) A pale purple color, the color of some lilac flowers.
Purple
Any of a group of colors with a hue between that of violet and red.
Lilac
Having a pale purple colour.
Purple
Cloth of a color between violet and red, formerly worn as a symbol of royalty or high office.
Lilac
A shrub of the genus Syringa. There are six species, natives of Europe and Asia. Syringa vulgaris, the common lilac, and Syringa Persica, the Persian lilac, are frequently cultivated for the fragrance and beauty of their purplish or white flowers. In the British colonies various other shrubs have this name.
Purple
Imperial power; high rank
Born to the purple.
Lilac
A light purplish color like that of the flower of the purplish lilac.
Purple
The rank or office of a cardinal.
Lilac
Any of various plants of the genus Syringa having large panicles of usually fragrant flowers
Purple
The rank or office of a bishop.
Lilac
Of a pale purple color
Purple
Of the color purple.
Purple
Royal or imperial; regal.
Purple
Elaborate and ornate
Purple prose.
Purple
To make or become purple.
Purple
A color that is a dark blend of red and blue; dark magenta.
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.
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
Purple
(by extension) Imperial power, because the colour purple was worn by emperors and kings.
Purple
Any of various species of mollusks from which Tyrian purple dye was obtained, especially the common dog whelk.
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.
Purple
(medicine) Purpura.
Purple
Earcockle, a disease of wheat.
Purple
Any of the species of large butterflies, usually marked with purple or blue, of the genus Basilarchia (formerly Limenitis).
The banded purple
Purple
A cardinalate.
Purple
Ellipsis of purple drank
Purple
Having a colour/color that is a dark blend of red and blue.
Purple
(US politics) Not predominantly red or blue, but having a mixture of Democrat and Republican support.
Purple state
Purple city
Purple
(in Netherlands and Belgium) Mixed between social democrats and liberals.
Purple
Imperial; regal.
Purple
(of language) Extravagantly ornate, like purple prose.
Purple
Completed in the fastest time so far in a given session.
Purple
(intransitive) To turn purple in colour.
Purple
(transitive) To dye purple.
Purple
(transitive) To clothe in purple.
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.
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.
Purple
Hence: Imperial sovereignty; royal rank, dignity, or favor; loosely and colloquially, any exalted station; great wealth.
Purple
A cardinalate. See Cardinal.
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.
Purple
Any shell of the genus Purpura.
Purple
See Purpura.
Purple
A disease of wheat. Same as Earcockle.
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.
Purple
Imperial; regal; - so called from the color having been an emblem of imperial authority.
Hide in the dust thy purple pride.
Purple
A chromatic color between red and blue
Purple
Of imperial status;
He was born to the purple
Purple
Become purple
Purple
Color purple
Purple
Of a color midway between red and blue
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
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
Common Curiosities
Why is purple associated with royalty?
Purple is associated with royalty due to its historical rarity and the expense of producing purple dye, making it exclusive to wealth and power.
Is there a psychological impact of using lilac in a space?
Lilac can have an uplifting and soothing psychological impact, making it suitable for spaces where calmness and creativity are desired.
Are there any industries where lilac or purple is particularly popular?
Lilac is popular in beauty, health, and wellness industries for its calming effect, while purple is favored in luxury, creative, and technology sectors for its association with creativity and innovation.
How are lilac and purple used differently in design?
Lilac is often used to convey femininity, elegance, and serenity, ideal for soft and inviting spaces. Purple is used for creating bold statements and conveying luxury, creativity, and depth.
Can lilac and purple evoke different feelings?
Yes, lilac tends to evoke feelings of nostalgia, romance, and calmness, whereas purple can inspire creativity, luxury, and in its deeper shades, a sense of majesty and mystery.
What does purple symbolize in different cultures?
In various cultures, purple can symbolize mourning, wealth, spirituality, and nobility, with its meaning influenced by historical, religious, and social contexts.
What is the difference between lilac and purple?
Lilac is a pale, soft hue of violet with pinkish tones, while purple is a deeper, more saturated color blending red and blue.
Can the use of purple in branding affect consumer perception?
Yes, using purple in branding can convey a sense of luxury, exclusivity, and quality, affecting consumer perception and attracting a certain clientele.
Why might a designer choose lilac over purple?
A designer might choose lilac for its softness, to create a light and airy feel, whereas purple might be chosen for its depth and to evoke a sense of luxury or creativity.
How do cultural perceptions of lilac and purple influence their use?
Cultural perceptions can influence the use of lilac and purple significantly, with certain cultures favoring one over the other based on traditional associations with femininity, luxury, spirituality, or mourning.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
