Periwinkle (color) explained

Hex:	CCCCFF
Source:	Maerz and Paul^[1]
Isccname:	Very light purplish blue
Symbolism:	serenity, peacefulness, femininity and comfort

Periwinkle is a color in the blue and violet family. Its name is derived from the lesser periwinkle or myrtle herb (Vinca minor) which bears flowers of the same color.

The color periwinkle is also called lavender blue and light blue violet.^[2] The color periwinkle may be considered a pale tint of purple-blue in the Munsell color system, or a "pastel purple-blue". The color can represent serenity, calmness, winter, and ice. It can also symbolize blossoming friendships, womanhood,^[3] sentimental memories, and everlasting love.^[4]

The first recorded use of periwinkle as a color name in English was in 1922.^[5]

In popular culture

• Periwinkle blue is the color for esophageal and stomach cancer awareness ribbons, and for anorexia nervosa and bulimia. It is also the color for pulmonary hypertension awareness ribbons.
• Periwinkle was added to the Crayola palette in 1949.^[6]
• In the late 1990s, the Anaheim Angels changed their uniform to include this color.^[7]
• In the show Blue's Clues there is a cat named Periwinkle

See also

• Lavender (color)
• List of colors
• Shades of blue

Notes and References

1. The color displayed in the color box above matches the color called periwinkle in the 1930 book by Maerz and Paul A Dictionary of Color New York: 1930 McGraw-Hill; the color orange is displayed on page 109, Plate 43, Color Sample B8.
2. Maerz and Paul (1930). A Dictionary of Color. New York: McGraw-Hill. Page 196: Lavender blue shown as one of the three major variations of lavender under heading lavender; page 190: lavender blue is listed as blue-lavender, first use of the color term is identified as 1926, and the color is identified with periwinkle.
3. Web site: 2020-06-24 . Periwinkle Color Meaning: The Color Periwinkle Symbolizes Friendship and Womanhood . 2024-02-20 . Color Meanings . en-US.
4. Web site: Everything about the color Periwinkle . Canva.
5. Simpson, J. A., and E. S. C. Weiner (1989). Oxford English Dictionary, second edition. Oxford: Clarendon Press.
6. Web site: periwinkle . 2024-02-20 . crayola.be . en.
7. Web site: 1997-02-12 . IT'S ALL ABOUT PERIWINKLE: ANGELS UNVEIL NEW UNIFORMS . 2024-02-20 . www.sportsbusinessjournal.com . en.