RAL-Farben
320 40 40
Veilchenpurpur
Violet purple

THE DIGNITY OF A MINOR KEY IS WHERE VIOLET CALLS HOME, RICH IN COLOUR, PROUD AND BEAUTIFUL, IT BESTOWS ITS GIFTS.

The History of violet purple

In antiquity, true or Tyrian purple was an extremely valuable dyestuff that was difficult and complicated to produce. It was only used to dye cloth intended for special occasions. It is reasonably certain that the art of dyeing cloth purple was discovered by the Phoenicians and, from there, spread to Egypt, Greece and Rome.

Many legends swirl around the discovery of the dye, not least in Greek mythology. According to legend, the dog of the Phoenician god Melqart, known as Tyrian Hercules in Roman mythology, ate a snail on the beach which stained his muzzle purple. The mysterious colour could not be washed off. The legend then tells how Melqart presented his lover, the nymph Tyros, with a dress dyed the same colour. What we do know for certain is that ancient Greek fleets dyed the sails of their admirals’ ships purple to emphasise their importance.
The ancient Romans were also aware of the value of the dye. Only the highest-ranking officials and members of the emperor’s family were permitted to wear purple.

The labour-intensive process of producing the natural dye meant that, over the centuries, the historical uses of purple were gradually replaced by what today is known as cardinal violet, a colour closer to deep red. It was only when it became possible to produce a synthetic purple dye that its use again became more widespread.

Why do so many designers and architects shy away from colour? Is there nothing more than the monochrome, standardised material-oriented ranges which we have become used to? The truth lies not only in their appreciation of functionality. An important aspect is frequently that greater expertise is required to use colour in a targeted way. However, if colour design is understood at a professional level, the results will speak for themselves.

Alina Schartner, Design Consultant + Trend Forecaster, Vienna

Violet purple and colour research

The colour researcher Heinrich Frieling stated that the combination of pale mauve and dark violet reaches its climax in an association of lilac and violet. He further discussed the synesthetic processes (perception of colour through smell, sound, taste and touch) as he believed that the process of fragrance is particularly important in this colour. He describes how the sight of violet purple arouses memories and emotional connections to cosmetic products; something more generally expected of the female half of the population.

Goethe and Schiller have their say

In early 1799, Goethe and Schiller developed a “rose of temperaments”. It presents a psychological overview of six basic colours and six intermediate shades. It is easy to find oneself agreeing with their not entirely objective conclusions. They attribute a preference for the colours purple and blue-red to overlords and philosophers, saying that these are the colours of those with a melancholic temperament. By contrast, those with a choleric temperament, often the preserve of tyrants, heroes and adventurers, have a love of yellowy red, a touch of purple with yellow.

In this context, we can consider Goethe and Schiller’s temperament rose from 1799. Amongst other works, both illustrations appeared in Goethe’s Theory of Colour by Ruprecht Matthei (publisher).

Notes of the typification of violet purple

The historical and geo-cultural variations relating to violet purple are in part both considerable and unusual. For example, the English purple is closer to ultramarine blue than its German equivalent, which 40 years ago was still closer to carmine red. Today, it has shifted even further away from pure red and closer to magenta instead.

With regard to its linguistic components, the close relationship between violet and violence has much to do with its heraldic claim to power. “Viola” is the Italian word for violet, “violentia” is the Italian word for “violence” in English.

Colours are a language of nature and the largest communication system in the world. They influence everything – our perception, our feelings, our actions – and continue to fascinate us. Anyone who works with them, will discover the wealth of nuances of their effect and an incomparable design diversity. The use and determination of colour is extremely important when developing brand strategies and communication concepts and makes a major contribution to the success of a brand.

Angela Specht & Charlotte Oelze: Mimono – Agency for Communication + Design, Cologne

The rich and powerful clothe themselves in violet purple and bright red

Across history and cultures, clothing was one of the most valuable possessions. Great military deeds were rewarded with noble titles or a new set of richly embroidered clothes. Gold brocade, purple sash, red doublet, blue trousers and high-heeled buckle shoes were the outfit of a gentleman. The powdered and beribboned wigs of the late Baroque and early Rococo periods were supported by an architectural “scaffolding” up to 80 cm in height. The value and respect accorded to purple silk can be seen in textile samples from the Middle Ages, which cost more than 1500 euros per m2 in today’s money.

These were “colours that looked their best on velvet cloth,” opined the aforementioned Heinrich Frieling. In silk, they lacked depth; it was right to ensure that violet shimmered with blue highlights. This lends it a mysterious luminosity that comes from within. The bluer the shade of violet, the better it complements blonde colouring and the redder the violet, the better it suits people with black hair.

Violet purple in hotels – A model for its use

Some privately-owned hotels in prime locations in large and not-so-large cities are frequently used by their owners as vehicles for demonstrating their exclusive right to self-determination.
Inside, the eyes are assailed by floor-to-ceiling expanses of violet purple – the standard lamps and ceiling pendants illuminate the space in feudal shades of mid-blue and grass green. The reception hall is decorated with fine silk coverings in the house livery, the service uniform is ultramarine blue with gold buttons. Armchairs, chairs and tables stand resplendent in an intense carmine red. The lift interiors are often styled to match staircases and hallways in deep violet purple! Only the walls of the rooms and suites in champagne rose diverge from the dominant colour scheme.

Solemn tranquility when violet purple sets the tone

The almost clerical colour schemes of these hotels is accompanied by mahogany wood, finely inlaid with playfully spiralling patterns. It strengthens the sense of fullness and depth in the restaurant and bar where the sound-muffling carpeting ensures that no snippet of unwanted conversation nor the clinking of glasses and dishes, nor clatter of cutlery presses too loudly on the ears of the diners.

Bearable in small doses – Tricky across larger spaces

Purple and violet very rarely meet in large format applications, whereby a connection can be made between intense colour and an acceptable dosing thereof that is best measured in square centimetres. A phenomenon that is universally familiar from practical daily experience: Small patches of intense colours appear paler and more easily “digested” than large swathes. A colour that is normally presented in discreet and subtle amounts can switch from pleasant to unbearable when applied more liberally.

For that reason, full-bodied, deep colours like violet purple are used in colour design in the form of small, modestly-sized colour samples. It is therefore advisable when decorating larger areas to test samples very carefully and assess their objective and aesthetic qualities under a variety of different light sources.

RAL DESIGN SYSTEM plus

RAL 320 40 40
VIOLET PURPLE

SYMBOLIC IMPRESSIONS OF VIOLET PURPLE
SYMBOLIC LEVEL
church
transcendent
odd
ASSOCIATIVE LEVEL
pious
otherworldly
unreal
PSYCHOLOGICAL LEVEL
lonely
sad
moody
METAPHORICAL LEVEL
inconcrete
feminine
enchanting
PHYSIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS ARE
EAR
HEARING SYMBOLS
violin
organ
heavy
SENSE OF TOUCH
TOUCH SYMBOLS
creamy
cool
rubbery
SKIN SENSE
TEMPERATURE SYMBOLS
hot to
medium
smooth
MUSCLE SENSE
GRAVITAS CHARACTERISTICS
medium to heavy
woolly
artificial
SMELL / TASTE
Flavour
sour
fruity
berry-like

RAL 320 – RAL COLOUR DNA

RAL 320 20 05
Lavaschwarz
Lava black
RAL 320 20 10
Obsidienrot
Obsidian red
RAL 320 20 15
Spinellviolett
Spinel violet
RAL 320 20 20
Auberginenlila
Aubergine mauve
RAL 320 20 25
Dunkelpurpur
Dark purple
RAL 320 30 05
Violettschwarz
Violet black
RAL 320 30 10
Steinviolett
Stone violet
RAL 320 30 15
Amethystdunkelviolett
Amethyst dark violet
RAL 320 30 20
Dunkelbrombeer
Dark blackberry
RAL 320 30 25
Purpuritviolett
Purpurite violet
RAL 320 30 30
Zwetschgenlila
Damson mauve
RAL 320 30 35
Traubenpurpur
Grape purple
RAL 320 30 37
Loungeviolett
Lounge violet
RAL 320 40 05
Schieferlila
Slate mauve
RAL 320 40 10
Olivinbasalt
Olivine basalt
RAL 320 40 15
Antikgrau
Antique grey
RAL 320 40 20
Basilikumlila
Basil mauve
RAL 320 40 25
Gladiolenviolett
Gladiola violet
RAL 320 40 30
Krautblütenviolett
Cabbage blossom violet
RAL 320 40 35
Fliederviolett
Lilac violet
RAL 320 40 40
Veilchenpurpur
Violet purple
RAL 320 50 05
Grauviolett
Grey violet
RAL 320 50 10
Britischgrauviolett
British grey mauve
RAL 320 50 15
Parmagrau
Parma grey
RAL 320 50 20
Alpenveilchen
Cyclamen
RAL 320 50 25
Poesielila
Poetry mauve
RAL 320 50 30
Violagrau
Viola grey
RAL 320 50 35
Astervioletta
Aster violetta
RAL 320 50 40
Empireviolett
Empire violet
RAL 320 60 05
Aragonitgrau
Aragonite grey
RAL 320 60 10
Kreideviolett
Chalk violet
RAL 320 60 15
Amethystgrauviolett
Amethyst grey violet
RAL 320 60 20
Wunderveilchen
Wonder violet
RAL 320 60 25
Nachtschattenviolett
Nightshade violet
RAL 320 60 30
Lobbylila
Lobby lilac
RAL 320 60 35
Sorbetbrombeer
Blackberry sorbet
RAL 320 70 05
Holundergrau
Elderberry grey
RAL 320 70 10
Glockenblumenviolett
Bellflower violet
RAL 320 70 15
Quarzviolett
Quartz violet
RAL 320 70 20
Strandflieder
Beach lilac
RAL 320 70 25
Fliederpink
Lilac pink
RAL 320 80 05
Hellviolett
Light violet
RAL 320 80 10
Amethysthellviolett
Amethyst light violet
RAL 320 80 15
Kosmetiklila
Cosmetic mauve
RAL 320 85 05
Brombeercrème
Blackberry cream
RAL 320 85 10
Ametrinquarz
Ametrine quartz
RAL 320 90 05
Apatitrosa
Apatite pink