The common violet flower, belonging to the Viola genus, often prompts curiosity about its precise color. These blooms, found globally, have inspired discussions about the distinction between violet and purple. Understanding the flower’s color and its relation to color science reveals insights into how we perceive light.
The Color of the Violet Flower
Despite its name, the typical violet flower often presents as a deep purplish-blue or a rich shade of purple. The Viola genus encompasses 500 to 600 species, and while many are known for their “violet” hue, the specific shade can vary considerably.
For example, the common blue violet (Viola sororia) typically displays deep blue-violet petals, which may fade to white or pale yellow at the base. Some varieties of Viola odorata (sweet violet) are known for their fragrant purple flowers, while others like Viola tricolor (wild pansy) can feature tri-colored blooms including purple, yellow, and white. This natural variation means that while the term “violet” is derived from the flower’s name, the flower itself can display a spectrum of colors often leaning towards what many people commonly call purple. The Latin word “viola” specifically refers to the purple-blue color prevalent in many of these species.
What Defines the Color Violet
The color violet is a distinct concept in the visible light spectrum, representing a pure spectral color. It is positioned at the short-wavelength end, just beyond blue light and before invisible ultraviolet light. Violet light has a wavelength typically ranging between 380 and 450 nanometers. This makes it the shortest wavelength and highest frequency of light visible to the human eye.
Isaac Newton identified violet as one of the seven colors when he first divided the spectrum of visible light in 1672. When white light passes through a prism, it separates into its constituent colors, with violet appearing at one end due to its specific wavelength. Our perception of violet occurs when specialized cone cells in our eyes are activated by these wavelengths. Objects that primarily reflect light within this 380-450 nm range appear violet to us, though our eyes are not highly sensitive to these wavelengths, often making pure violet appear dark.
How Violet Differs from Purple
A fundamental difference exists between violet and purple. Violet is a spectral color, meaning it corresponds to a single, specific wavelength of light in the electromagnetic spectrum. This makes violet a “pure” color, much like red, green, or blue, and it can be observed in a rainbow or when light is dispersed through a prism.
Purple, in contrast, is a non-spectral color; it does not have its own unique wavelength on the visible spectrum. Instead, purple is perceived by the human eye and brain as a mixture of red and blue light. Our visual system processes these combined signals, creating the sensation of purple. While violet is a fundamental component of light, purple is a perceptual blend, a color that exists due to how our eyes interpret simultaneous input from red and blue light.