Periwinkle is a color in the
blue
Blue is one of the three primary colours in the RYB color model, RYB colour model (traditional colour theory), as well as in the RGB color model, RGB (additive) colour model. It lies between Violet (color), violet and cyan on the optical spe ...
and
violet family. Its name is derived from the lesser periwinkle or myrtle herb (''
Vinca minor
''Vinca minor'' (common names lesser periwinkle or dwarf periwinkle) is a species of flowering plant in the dogbane family, native to central and southern Europe. Other vernacular names used in cultivation include small periwinkle, common peri ...
'') which bears flowers of the same color.
The color periwinkle is also called
lavender blue and
light blue
Light blue is a color or range of colors, typically a lightened shade with a hue between cyan and blue.
The first use of "light blue" as a color term in English language, English is in the year 1915.
In Russian and some other languages, there ...
violet. The color periwinkle may be considered a pale
tint of purple-blue in the
Munsell color system
The Munsell color system is a color space that specifies colors based on three properties of color: hue (basic color), value (lightness), and colorfulness, chroma (color intensity). It was created by Albert Henry Munsell, Albert H. Munsell in the ...
, or a "
pastel
A pastel () is an art medium that consists of powdered pigment and a binder (material), binder. It can exist in a variety of forms, including a stick, a square, a pebble, and a pan of color, among other forms. The pigments used in pastels are ...
purple-blue". The color can represent serenity,
calmness
Calmness or, nonchalance is the mental state of Inner peace, peace of mind, being free from agitation, excitement, or Psychological stress, disturbance. It also refers to being in a state of serenity, tranquillity, or peace. Calmness can most eas ...
,
winter
Winter is the coldest and darkest season of the year in temperate and polar climates. It occurs after autumn and before spring. The tilt of Earth's axis causes seasons; winter occurs when a hemisphere is oriented away from the Sun. Dif ...
, and
ice
Ice is water that is frozen into a solid state, typically forming at or below temperatures of 0 ° C, 32 ° F, or 273.15 K. It occurs naturally on Earth, on other planets, in Oort cloud objects, and as interstellar ice. As a naturally oc ...
. It can also symbolize blossoming
friendships
Friendship is a relationship of mutual affection between people. It is a stronger form of interpersonal bond than an "acquaintance" or an "association", such as a classmate, neighbor, coworker, or colleague.
Although there are many forms of f ...
,
womanhood
A woman is an adult female human. Before adulthood, a female child or adolescent is referred to as a girl.
Typically, women are of the female sex and inherit a pair of X chromosomes, one from each parent, and women with functional uteruses ...
, sentimental memories, and everlasting
love
Love is a feeling of strong attraction and emotional attachment (psychology), attachment to a person, animal, or thing. It is expressed in many forms, encompassing a range of strong and positive emotional and mental states, from the most su ...
.
The first recorded use of periwinkle as a color name in
English was in 1922.
In popular culture
* Periwinkle blue is the color for
esophageal and
stomach cancer
Stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, is a malignant tumor of the stomach. It is a cancer that develops in the Gastric mucosa, lining of the stomach. Most cases of stomach cancers are gastric carcinomas, which can be divided into a numb ...
awareness ribbons
Awareness ribbons are symbols meant to show support or consciousness raising, raise consciousness for a cause. Different colors and patterns are associated with different issues.
Awareness ribbons can be worn on clothing like pins, they can be ...
, and for
anorexia nervosa
Anorexia nervosa (AN), often referred to simply as anorexia, is an eating disorder characterized by Calorie restriction, food restriction, body image disturbance, fear of gaining weight, and an overpowering desire to be thin.
Individuals wit ...
and
bulimia
Bulimia nervosa, also known simply as bulimia, is an eating disorder characterized by binge eating (eating large quantities of food in a short period of time, often feeling out of control) followed by compensatory behaviors, such as self-induc ...
. It is also the color for
pulmonary hypertension
Pulmonary hypertension (PH or PHTN) is a condition of increased blood pressure in the pulmonary artery, arteries of the lungs. Symptoms include dypsnea, shortness of breath, Syncope (medicine), fainting, tiredness, chest pain, pedal edema, swell ...
awareness ribbons
Awareness ribbons are symbols meant to show support or consciousness raising, raise consciousness for a cause. Different colors and patterns are associated with different issues.
Awareness ribbons can be worn on clothing like pins, they can be ...
.
* Periwinkle was added to the
Crayola
Crayola LLC, formerly the Binney & Smith Company, is an American manufacturing and retail company specializing in list of art media, art supplies. It is known for its brand ''Crayola'' and best known for its crayons. The company is headquartered ...
palette in 1949.
* In the late 1990s, the
Anaheim Angels
The Los Angeles Angels are an American professional baseball team based in the Greater Los Angeles area. The Angels compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West Division. Since 1966, the team has pl ...
changed their uniform to include this color.
References
Shades of blue
Shades of violet
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