Meaning of the Color Periwinkle – Unravel the Allure of Periwinkle

Many might not know what the periwinkle color is, as it is one of those colors that might get different answers when asking people for a definition. However, even if you do not know the exact color of periwinkle, its name alone evokes feelings of amusement and gentleness. Periwinkle is, in fact, a pale indigo color that sits between violet and blue. In this article, we aim to discover the meaning of the color periwinkle, along with a few other interesting facts about the color!

The Meaning of the Color Periwinkle

The periwinkle color is originally named after the periwinkle herb and flower. The pale indigo hue might appear pale blue, with traces of lavender or purple. The subtle color provides a calming and dreamy effect. Periwinkle is also a color that represents peace, comfort, and femininity. The color also represents romance and affection. Below, you can see a short list of both positive and negative associations of the periwinkle color.

Periwinkle color meaning infographic. Click on the image to download a printable PDF.

Positive Associations of the Color Periwinkle

• Serenity
• Peacefulness
• Femininity
• Innocence
• Friendship
• Love
• Inspiration
• Hope

Negative Associations of the Color Periwinkle

• Childish
• Immature
• Unpredictable
• Unreliable

Psychological Meaning of the Color Periwinkle

All colors can have an emotional and psychological impact. The combination of blue and purple of the periwinkle makes it more interesting and complex and can provide a wide range of meanings and associations.

The Periwinkle Color Is Soothing

The most obvious periwinkle color meaning is its way of soothing and producing a sense of tranquility. Most pale or lighter shades of color help to produce this effect. The soft color helps to reduce stress as it calms the mind. The blue part of the periwinkle provides coolness and helps to produce feelings of peace and serenity, while the purple is mostly associated with spirituality and creativity. The combination is soothing for the mind and the body. This combination also represents a certain balance between the mind, body, and spirit.

The periwinkle color meaning can also be associated with nostalgia, often reminding us of our childhood and happy memories. This can be another reason why periwinkle is a calming color.

The Periwinkle Color Is Inspirational

The periwinkle color can appear whimsical and curious and can inspire the imagination. The harmony of blue and purple can help to nurture feelings of independence while providing a sense of focus. So, it provides a balance between logic and creativity, intuition, and exploring new ideas.

The Periwinkle Color Is Subtle and Lighthearted

Periwinkle is a soft, subtle, and child-like hue that evokes feelings of innocence. A trusting color that always has a positive outlook. The periwinkle color is also lighthearted, does not take things too seriously, and is a symbol of developing friendships.

The color can also represent patience, empathy, and compassion. However, negatively, periwinkle can also seem immature and childish.

The Color Periwinkle Is Elegant

The soft shade of periwinkle is timeless and elegant and does not overpower a design or look. Periwinkle is a feminine, romantic, and delicate color that provides a sense of grace and dignity. It evokes a sense of calm but also provides feelings of confidence and courage.

Physical Effects of Periwinkle

Since periwinkle is a calming color, it can help to reduce stress as it can aid in reducing the heart rate and slow breathing. So, it might help to reduce blood pressure. However, it can also be used to create a more focused environment, which can promote productivity.

The Color Periwinkle in Different Cultures    

As we have mentioned, the color originally comes from the flower with the same name. For many years, it was known as the “flower of death” in Italy because of its toxic nature and was commonly used in wreaths that were laid on the graves of dead children. You might even find periwinkle flowers that have been planted in cemeteries in the United States today. However, the periwinkle is an evergreen plant, which also gave another more positive meaning, that of immortality. This association has been popular in Italy and Europe for many years.

The periwinkle color also has a strong connection to religion. The color is associated with innocence and chastity in the Christian religion. Many of the artworks that depict the Virgin Mary have periwinkle flowers in them. The periwinkle color is often used as a symbol of innocence in Catholicism.

The color periwinkle has become popular over the years in the Western world and is a popular fashion and interior design. Periwinkle was even the color of the year in 2022, according to Pantone. The hue has also been chosen as an official color for certain causes. For example, it is the color of stomach and esophageal cancer, as well as for the eating disorders of bulimia and anorexia. Periwinkle has become a symbol of healing and hope.

In African cultures, periwinkle represents protection and healing, while in Chinese cultures, periwinkle is a color associated with longevity. So, the periwinkle color does have a certain universal appeal when it comes to representing well-being and spirituality.

Meaning of the Shades of Periwinkle

As with most colors, there can be many variations of a single color, which can include lighter and darker shades. Sometimes, the undertones can also vary, slightly changing the meaning of the original periwinkle color. Here are some examples of the different shades of periwinkle.

Dark Periwinkle

The dark periwinkle contains more blue in the above web color version. Not only is it a darker color, but it also produces cooler properties as there is less red included. The color provides more depth and interest, and generally, adds more mystery to the look.

Dark periwinkle has a subtle sophistication that is more intense than the original periwinkle color.

Periwinkle Powder

This is a very soft shade of periwinkle that offers a sense of peace and serenity. The best description for the above web color is a light or pale blue-gray. This soft color, like all pastels, is perfect for creating a calm and peaceful look and feel.

Bright Periwinkle

If you are looking for something that provides a little more energy, then a bright periwinkle is a great choice. The color is more invigorating and is a bolder color that will make more of a statement.

Even though it is a brighter and more energizing version of periwinkle, it still retains its sense of cool and calm.

True Periwinkle

This is a close representation of the actual color of the periwinkle plant. The color is a balance between violet and blue, having a soft and calming effect. This is a slightly stronger version of the above periwinkle color, as you can see when comparing them in the table provided.

Is Periwinkle a Chakra Color?

The different chakras represent energy centers that can be found in the body. There are seven major chakras, each positioned in a line along the spine, from the root chakra, up to the crown chakra. Each energy center is represented by a certain color and is associated with various organs and psychological characteristics. A blockage in these energy centers will produce certain physical and emotional problems.

There are also numerous other levels and colors to consider. Periwinkle can be associated with the third eye chakra, which is represented by the indigo color and represents spirituality, wisdom, and intuition. However, some might also associate it with the fifth or throat chakra, which is represented by blue.

This chakra is the communication center and helps with speaking the truth. It also represents peace and friendship.

Interesting Idioms and Famous Quotes About the Color Periwinkle

Periwinkle is not a well-known color like red or blue, which is why there are not as many idioms or quotes. However, we did find one or two idioms and quotes that might interest you. Maybe you have heard the saying, “In a periwinkle world”? This idiom refers to an idealist life, where you only find peace and harmony. How about “A Touch of Periwinkle”? This refers to adding a small unique but significant element to something. Next, let us look at a few periwinkle quotes, the first is from a well-known writer, who you might recognize.

• “Through primrose tufts, in that sweet bower, The periwinkle trailed its wreaths; And ’tis my faith that every flower Enjoys the air it breathes” by the famous English poet, William Wordsworth (1770 – 1850).
• “My favorite name for a color is “puce.” It’s kind of a dried blood color. It’s a hideous color. But I love the word. It’s so euphonic. But my favorite colors are lavender, purple, periwinkle blue, and white” by the actress Elizabeth Taylor (1932 – 2011).
• “It’s an odd thing, happiness. Some people take happiness from gold. Or black pearls. And some of us, far more fortunate, take their happiness from periwinkles” by the American author Patricia Anne McKillip (1948 – 2022).

The periwinkle color is a soft lavender blue that helps to inspire feelings of calm and peace. The gentle tones of periwinkle also represent romance, friendship, and creativity. The combination of blue and purple that make up periwinkle produces a balanced and harmonious hue that can easily be used in a variety of design applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Meaning of the Color Periwinkle?

Periwinkle is a subtle indigo hue that often represents peacefulness and calmness. The color also represents peace and innocence, and is thought of as a romantic hue. Periwinkle is a thoughtful, fun, and feminine color that is often associated with friendship and spirituality.

What Color Is Periwinkle?

The periwinkle color can be described as a pale indigo, which contains shades of blue and purple or lavender. Periwinkle is located somewhere between blue and purple on the color wheel.

What Is the Spiritual Meaning of Periwinkle?

In many religions, periwinkle embodies purity, innocence, and eternal love. The periwinkle flower is often linked to the Virgin Mary and is present in many Catholic paintings.

Charlene Lewis( Content Creator and Creativity Writer )

In 2005, Charlene completed her Wellness Diplomas in Therapeutic Aromatherapy and Reflexology from the International School of Reflexology and Meridian Therapy. She worked for a company offering corporate wellness programs for a couple of years, before opening up her own therapy practice. It was in 2015 that a friend, who was a digital marketer, asked her to join her company as a content creator, and this is where she found her excitement for writing.

Since joining the content writing world, she has gained a lot of experience over the years writing on a diverse selection of topics, from beauty, health, wellness, travel, and more. Due to various circumstances, she had to close her therapy practice and is now a full-time freelance writer. Being a creative person, she could not pass up the opportunity to contribute to the Art in Context team, where is was in her element, writing about a variety of art and craft topics. Contributing articles for over three years now, her knowledge in this area has grown, and she has gotten to explore her creativity and improve her research and writing skills.

Charlene Lewis has been working for artincontext.org since the relaunch in 2020. She is an experienced writer and mainly focuses on the topics of color theory, painting and drawing.

Learn more about Charlene Lewis and the Art in Context Team.