Is Purple a Valentine's Day Color?

Valentine's Day, a celebration of love and affection, is synonymous with a certain array of colors. Red, pink, and white commonly adorn gift boxes, greeting cards, and flowers during this special day. But what about purple? Is this regal and romantic hue a Valentine's day color?

Before delving into the relationship between Valentine's Day and purple, let's explore the history and significance of colors in this annual event.

Colors of Valentine's Day

The traditional Valentine's Day color palette is predominantly red and pink, with white and gold accentuating these hues. However, exploring the origins of these colors can reveal surprising connections to purple.

Red and pink, frequently associated with love and affection, actually stem from historical symbols of wealth, power, and status. In ancient Rome, for instance, evidenced by Madder red, a natural dye extracted from plants, indicated nobility. Today, these colors represent passion and romance, reflecting their transformation over centuries.

Red and Pink: Love and Affection

Red roses, frequently gifting on Valentine's Day, origin trace back to ancient Greek and Roman mythology, where the flower symbolized love, desire, and mutability. Red, a vibrant and alluring hue, resonates with the intensity of love.

Pink, meanwhile, denotes Respect, Affection, and Admiration. It symbolizes a tender, gentle, and caring love. As a tone of red, pink often signifies the romantic affection shared between couples.

White and Gold: Purity and Opulence

White, associated with purity and innocence, plays a less prominent role in Valentine's Day celebrations compared to red and pink. Yet, it does appear in corsages, perhaps symbolizing the first bloom of love, or the tender purity of new relationships.

Gold, frequently incorporated in Valentine's Day decorations, signifies wealth, luxury, and opulence. It adds a touch of grandeur to the celebrations, reflecting the preciousness of love.

Purple: A Valentine's Day hues?

Now, we return to our query: is purple really a Valentine's Day color?

While you won't find purple as prominent as red or pink in current Valentine’s Day celebrations, historically and culturally, it's linked to love and affection.

Purple: Royale and Rabbit of Love

In the Middle Ages, purple finches, royales of the bird kingdom, symbolized loyalty and generous love. The phrase 'lover'sSymbols', or 'rabbits of love', was used to describe purple finches. Consequently, purple became associated with romantic, loyal, and passionate love.

Moreover, purple carnations, less common than their pink and red counterparts, also signified love and affection. Their purple hue may have been a nod to the history of royalty, with purple being regarded as a color of monarchs and thus of high significance.

Purple's Cultural Significance in Love

Purple has also cropped up in various cultures' traditions and folktales about love. For instance, the native American Pueblo tribe believed a purple mountain held magical powers over love and life. In Iran, purple lilies are believed to bring two lovers together.

In the modern world, purple's romantic connotations even inspire unique Valentine's Day gifts. Luxury jewelry often incorporates purple stones like amethysts or sapphires, associating the regal hue with enduring, cherished love.

While not as prevalent as red or pink, purple undoubtedly holds its unique place in the Valentine's Day color spectrum. Bradgate Bakery's purple heart-shaped biscuits, or Cadbury's purple rose tribute-confetti, are examples of how this hue gradually infiltrates Valentine's Day symbolism. From historical symbols of love and loyalty to modern twists on tradition, purple proves it's got a place in this romantic celebration.

So, as you celebrate love this Valentine's Day, consider the rich history and significance of colors. Perhaps you'll find a place for purple in your celebration, reflecting your unique, royal, and enduring love.