Purple is often considered to be a calming, soothing color. There are several reasons why purple is thought to have a relaxing effect.
The Color Psychology of Purple
In color psychology, purple is associated with royalty, luxury, wisdom, creativity, mystery, and magic. It evokes feelings of nostalgia and sentimentality. Lighter shades of purple like lavender and lilac evoke a sense of femininity and tranquility. Darker shades like amethyst and plum evoke a sense of luxury, richness, and sophistication. The balance between light and dark shades makes purple a color of moderation – neither too stimulating nor too depressing. This balance is key to purple’s calming qualities.
The Soothing Nature of Purple
Purple’s soothing qualities may originate from its presence in nature. Lavender flowers and purple-hued sunsets signal the transition between daytime and night – a time of peace and calm. Purple is also associated with healing and medicine. In ancient Greece, purple was believed to have medicinal properties. Roman soldiers were treated with purple bandages for injuries. In India, Ayurveda uses purple herbs like ashwagandha for healing. The soothing association with healing enhances purple’s calming qualities.
The Spiritual Symbolism of Purple
In many cultures and religions, purple holds spiritual significance representing sacredness, mysticism, and enlightenment. In Christianity, purple robes were worn by kings and high officials. Bishops wear purple to symbolize piety. In Hinduism, purple is closely associated with the “third eye chakra” related to wisdom and intuition. This spiritual symbolism amplifies the reassuring, tranquilizing effects of purple.
Scientific Research on Purple and Mood
While anecdotal evidence points to purple’s soothing qualities, scientific research provides objective evidence as well:
Color Psychology Experiments
In a study published in the journal Color Research & Application, participants reported feeling more relaxed, soothed, and comforted after exposure to the color purple than to exciting colors like red.
Another study had office workers engage in creative tasks against red, blue, or purple backgrounds. While red and blue increased stress, purple decreased stress and increased creative performance.
Effects on Heart Rate and Muscle Response
Multiple studies have shown exposure to purple decreases heart rate and muscle tension, indicating a calming effect.
In one experiment, simply visualizing purple resulted in significantly lower heart rates compared to red – an arousing color.
In another, muscle tension decreased significantly when subjects were shown purple patterns compared to patterns in yellow – an energizing hue.
Impacts on Anxiety and Stress
Research has demonstrated purple environments can reduce stress and anxiety:
– Hospital patients assigned to purple rooms had lower blood pressure and heart rates compared to patients in rooms with green or beige walls.
– College students reported less test anxiety when taking exams in classrooms painted purple compared to red classrooms.
– Office workers had lower stress hormone levels when working in purple cubicles versus white cubicles.
Purple in Design and Architecture
Knowing purple’s soothing qualities, many designers and architects intentionally use it to create calming spaces:
Healthcare Settings
Purple is prevalent in hospitals, dental clinics, nursing homes, and other healthcare settings where inducing feelings of calm and relaxation aids the healing process.
Healthcare Setting | Use of Purple |
---|---|
Hospitals | Purple accent walls in patient rooms |
Dental clinics | Purple waiting room furniture |
Assisted living facilities | Lavender gardens and walking paths |
Counseling centers | Amethyst crystals and decor |
Spas and Retreats
Purple creates a peaceful ambiance in spas, yoga studios, and meditation spaces. It signals the promise of relaxation and rejuvenation.
Wellness Setting | Use of Purple |
---|---|
Spas | Purple orchids, hyacinths and calla lilies |
Yoga studios | Mauve yoga mats and blocks |
Meditation retreats | Amethyst geodes and candles |
Bedrooms
Purple bedding, accent walls, and decor promote restful sleep and pleasant dreams. Lavender and lilac represent feminine energy and tranquility.
Bedroom Elements | Shades of Purple |
---|---|
Bedspreads | Lavender |
Throw pillows | Lilac |
Accent walls | Plum |
Night lights | Violet |
Is Purple Universally Calming?
While scientific evidence and design practices support purple’s soothing effects, cultural differences show purple may not be universally calming.
Negative Associations
In some cultures, purple symbolizes death and mourning:
– In Thailand, purple is worn at funerals.
– In Brazil, purple signifies grief and sorrow.
– In Europe, purple is associated with royalty and religion but also magic and witchcraft.
These negative connotations may override purple’s intrinsically calming attributes.
Gender Differences
Traditionally, purple is considered a feminine color in many cultures. Studies show men tend to prefer blue while women prefer purple.
As such, purple rooms and environments may be more relaxing for women than men. More research is needed on how gender mediates purple’s effects.
Personal Preferences
Despite purple’s commonly calming qualities, reactions are also highly personal. Someone may simply dislike the color purple regardless of its intended effects.
More studies across age groups, genders, cultures, and personality types could uncover moderating factors.
Optimizing Purple’s Calming Effects
Here are some tips for maximizing purple’s stress-relieving potential:
Shade and Tone
Lighter, cooler purple hues like lavender and lilac are more calming than richer, warmer shades. Pastel purples work well for large surfaces.
Placement
Use purple in high-stress spots – doctor’s offices, workplace breakrooms, bedroom headboards. Avoid overusing purple throughout an entire building.
Combinations
Pair purple with other serene colors like blue, green and pink. Gray and white accentuate its soothing qualities. Avoid combining with stimulating reds or oranges.
Lighting
Natural daylight enhances purple’s relaxing effects. Incorporate skylights or windows in purple rooms. Candles add comforting ambiance in the evening.
Texture
Incorporate soft, smooth textures like velvet, suede, linen, and silk to amplify purple’s tranquil vibe. Avoid glossy or plastic-like surfaces.
Shapes
Rounded shapes and circular patterns maximize purple’s easygoing, feminine energy. Right angles and straight lines feel too harsh.
Conclusion
In summary, purple has strong historical, cultural, and scientific associations with inducing calmness and relaxation. However, reactions are subjective based on gender, personality, and cultural interpretations. When skillfully optimized using soothing tones, natural light, soft textures, and rounded shapes, purple environments can decrease stress and promote tranquility. With proper applications, purple delivers on its promise as a supremely calming color.