Periwinkle (color)
Periwinkle is a soft blue-violet (lavender-blue) hue named for the Vinca minor flower; it appears in design, fashion, and art and is often described as a pastel indigo. First recorded as a color name in 1922.
Overview
Periwinkle is a gentle, cool-toned hue that sits between blue and violet on the color spectrum. Often described as a pale blue-violet or lavender-blue, it conveys a delicate, calming appearance. The name traces to the small flowering plant Vinca minor, commonly called lesser periwinkle, whose blossoms display the characteristic shade.
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Characteristics
Visually, periwinkle reads as a muted blend of blue with a hint of purple. It is commonly treated as a pastel or desaturated indigo and is used where a soft, soothing tone is desired rather than a saturated, bright blue. Designers may describe it as belonging to the broader blue family while noting its lavender undertones.
History and name
The color’s name comes from the plant rather than the reverse, and the descriptive term entered English usage in the early 20th century; the first documented appearance of “periwinkle” as a color name in English dates to 1922. Alternative names include lavender blue, and some sources refer to it as a pastel form of indigo or simply a pastel blue-violet.
Uses and associations
Periwinkle is popular in textiles, interior design, and graphic arts where a tranquil, friendly atmosphere is desired. It appears in spring and wedding palettes, children’s products, and web design for a welcoming, nonassertive look. Artists and stylists use it as an accent or background color to soften contrasts without becoming neutral.
Related colors and distinctions
- Periwinkle vs. lavender: lavender is often more purple and floral in reference, while periwinkle leans bluer.
- Periwinkle vs. lilac: lilac tends to be warmer and pinker; periwinkle is cooler.
- Periwinkle as pastel indigo: some descriptions emphasize its kinship to indigo, but periwinkle is lighter and less saturated.
Because exact tones can vary by medium, there is no single standardized hex or pigment for periwinkle; the name describes a narrow family of light blue-violet shades used across many visual disciplines.
Questions and answers
Q: What color family does periwinkle belong to?
A: Periwinkle belongs to the blue family.
Q: Where does the name "periwinkle" come from?
A: The name "periwinkle" comes from the lesser periwinkle or myrtle herb (Vinca minor) which has flowers of the same color.
Q: What other name is periwinkle known as?
A: Periwinkle is also known as lavender blue.
Q: What is the shade of periwinkle?
A: Periwinkle can be considered a pale tint of indigo – a pastel indigo.
Q: When was the first time periwinkle was used as a color name in English?
A: The first written use of periwinkle as a color name in English was in 1922.
Q: Is periwinkle a bright color?
A: No, periwinkle is not a bright color. It is a pastel shade of blue.
Q: What type of plant gave periwinkle its name?
A: The lesser periwinkle or myrtle herb (Vinca minor) gave periwinkle its name.
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AlegsaOnline.com Periwinkle (color) Leandro Alegsa
URL: https://en.alegsaonline.com/art/75848