Purple vs. Crimson — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 3, 2024
Purple represents royalty and creativity with its blend of red and blue tones, while crimson signifies energy and passion, being a deep, vivid red.
Difference Between Purple and Crimson
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Purple, a color often associated with royalty and mysticism, results from a combination of red and blue hues. It strikes a balance between the calm stability of blue and the fierce energy of red. Whereas crimson, a deep and vivid red, evokes feelings of passion and dynamism, often linked to love and vitality.
In historical contexts, purple was a color of luxury and power, worn by emperors and kings, due to the rarity and cost of the dye needed to produce it. Crimson, on the other hand, was also prized but more accessible, commonly used in the regalia of churches and in academic robes, symbolizing deep respect and seriousness.
When it comes to symbolism, purple is often seen in the branding of products related to luxury, wisdom, and spirituality. Meanwhile, crimson is frequently used to grab attention, used in warnings and to signify importance due to its high visibility and association with blood.
In nature, purple can often be seen in flowers like lavender and lilac, which are generally soft and appealing, providing a soothing visual experience. Crimson appears in roses and apples, offering a more striking and immediate visual impact with its bold presence.
Regarding cultural significance, in many societies, purple is seen as a color that represents mourning or death, adding a layer of solemnity. Crimson, however, often represents life and vitality, making it a popular color in celebrations and ceremonies like weddings and national holidays.
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Comparison Chart
Color Origin
Blend of red and blue
Deep, vivid red
Historical Use
Clothing of royalty
Regalia in churches and academic robes
Symbolism
Royalty, wisdom, spirituality
Passion, energy, vitality
Common in Nature
Lavender, lilac
Roses, apples
Cultural Significance
Often associated with mourning
Represents life and celebration
Compare with Definitions
Purple
A color mixing blue and red; associated with royalty.
The royal cloak was a deep shade of purple.
Crimson
Represents vitality and life in many cultures.
Crimson flags are used in celebrations to symbolize energy and excitement.
Purple
Symbolizes creativity and wisdom.
The artist chose purple for her logo to represent creativity.
Crimson
Symbolic of passion and strong emotion.
Crimson roses are a popular choice for expressing deep love.
Purple
Represents luxury and extravagance.
The luxury resort themed its décor in purple to suggest opulence.
Crimson
Used for alerts and emphasis due to its visibility.
The document was marked with a crimson stamp to highlight urgency.
Purple
Commonly used in spiritual or mystical settings.
The meditation room was painted a calming shade of purple.
Crimson
A deep red color, often with a hint of blue.
The sunset turned the clouds a fiery crimson.
Purple
Can indicate mourning in some cultures.
In Thailand, purple is worn during mourning periods.
Crimson
Found in academia and ecclesiastical garments.
The professors wore crimson robes at the graduation ceremony.
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 )..
Crimson
Crimson is a rich, deep red color, inclining to purple. It originally meant the color of the kermes dye produced from a scale insect, Kermes vermilio, but the name is now sometimes also used as a generic term for slightly bluish-red colors that are between red and rose.
Purple
A colour intermediate between red and blue
The painting was mostly in shades of blue and purple
Crimson
Of a rich deep red colour inclining to purple
She blushed crimson with embarrassment
Purple
A crimson dye obtained from some molluscs, formerly used for fabric worn by an emperor or senior magistrate in ancient Rome or Byzantium.
Crimson
A rich deep red colour inclining to purple
A pair of corduroy trousers in livid crimson, they were horrid to behold
Purple
Of a colour intermediate between red and blue
A faded purple T-shirt
Crimson
(of a person's face) become flushed, especially through embarrassment
My face crimsoned and my hands began to shake
Purple
Make or become purple in colour
Edmund's cheeks purpled
The neon was purpling the horizon above the highway
Crimson
A deep to vivid purplish red to vivid red.
Purple
Any of a group of colors with a hue between that of violet and red.
Crimson
To make or become deeply or vividly red.
Purple
Cloth of a color between violet and red, formerly worn as a symbol of royalty or high office.
Crimson
A deep, slightly bluish red.
Purple
Imperial power; high rank
Born to the purple.
Crimson
Having a deep red colour.
Purple
The rank or office of a cardinal.
Crimson
Immodest. en
Purple
The rank or office of a bishop.
Crimson
(intransitive) To become crimson or deep red; to blush.
Purple
Of the color purple.
Crimson
(transitive) To dye with crimson or deep red; to redden.
Purple
Royal or imperial; regal.
Crimson
A deep red color tinged with blue; also, red color in general.
Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
A maid yet rosed over with the virgin crimson of modesty.
Purple
Elaborate and ornate
Purple prose.
Crimson
Of a deep red color tinged with blue; deep red.
The blushing poppy with a crimson hue.
Purple
To make or become purple.
Crimson
To dye with crimson or deep red; to redden.
Signed in thy spoil and crimsoned in thy lethe.
Purple
A color that is a dark blend of red and blue; dark magenta.
Crimson
To become crimson; to blush.
Ancient towers . . . beginning to crimson with the radiant luster of a cloudless July morning.
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.
Crimson
A deep and vivid 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
Crimson
Turn red, as if in embarrassment or shame;
The girl blushed when a young man whistled as she walked by
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
What cultural significance does crimson hold?
Crimson is often associated with life, vitality, and major celebrations.
What does crimson typically symbolize?
Crimson often symbolizes passion, vitality, and urgency.
How do purple and crimson differ in their use in nature?
Purple is commonly seen in soothing flowers like lavender, whereas crimson appears in bold, vibrant flowers and fruits like roses and apples.
What is the effect of purple in design?
Purple often imparts a sense of luxury and creativity in design contexts.
Which color is more commonly associated with royalty?
Purple is more commonly associated with royalty due to its historical use by kings and emperors.
What are the symbolic meanings of purple?
Purple symbolizes royalty, creativity, wisdom, and spirituality.
Is crimson a warm or cool color?
Crimson is considered a warm color because of its strong red base.
What is the basic difference between purple and crimson?
Purple is a blend of red and blue, often associated with royalty and mysticism, while crimson is a deep, vivid red, linked to energy and passion.
Why was purple historically a color of luxury?
Purple dye was rare and expensive, making it a status symbol for wealth and power.
Can both colors be found in academic settings?
Yes, both colors are used in academic regalia, though crimson is more prevalent.
Which color would be more appropriate for a branding project aimed at luxury?
Purple would be more appropriate for luxury branding due to its historical and cultural associations with wealth and exclusivity.
How does crimson impact emotions when used in visuals?
Crimson can evoke strong emotions, often used to attract attention and convey urgency or importance.
Which color is more visually striking?
Crimson is generally considered more visually striking due to its deep, vivid hue.
How does the combination of red and blue to make purple affect its symbolism?
The combination gives purple a balanced symbolism, merging the stability of blue with the energy of red.
Which color is typically used more in warnings and why?
Crimson is used more in warnings because its vividness captures attention quickly, effectively signaling caution or alert.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
