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Indigo vs. Violet

Edited by Sumera Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on October 2, 2023
Indigo is a deep blue-purple color, while violet is a bright purplish-blue color, both occupying different positions in the spectrum of light.

Key Differences

Indigo and violet are both colors that find their place in the rainbow and the spectrum of visible light. Indigo leans more towards a deep blue with a hint of purple. Historically, it has been associated with the dye derived from the plant of the same name. When one thinks of indigo, the associations might be with deep, rich hues reminiscent of a night sky. Violet, on the other hand, is a more vibrant color that edges closer to purple but retains a distinct blueness. It is often considered a more lively and bright hue compared to the depth of indigo.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023
In the context of the spectrum of visible light, indigo and violet sit close but are distinct. Sir Isaac Newton introduced the term "indigo" as one of the seven colors in the spectrum. Indigo, in this context, exists between blue and violet. Violet, meanwhile, is at the end of the spectrum and is the color with the shortest wavelength of visible light.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023
From a cultural standpoint, both indigo and violet have significant meanings. Indigo is often associated with intuition, perception, and the higher mind in various spiritual contexts. It's believed to inspire deep concentration during times of introspection and meditation. Violet, being close to purple, is frequently linked with royalty, luxury, and power. Moreover, violet can also symbolize mystery, magic, and deep spirituality.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023
Both colors have their own aesthetic appeal and are used in various artistic endeavors. Indigo's rich depth makes it a favorite for fashion, especially in denim and other fabrics. Violet, with its bright allure, often graces artworks, floral arrangements, and other decorative aspects. Both indigo and violet, with their distinct shades and meanings, add depth and variety to the world of colors.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023

Comparison Chart

Position in Spectrum

Between blue and violet
At the end of the spectrum, after indigo
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023

Tone

Deep blue with a hint of purple
Bright purplish-blue
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023
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Historical Use

Associated with dye from the indigo plant
Often associated with royalty and spirituality
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023

Cultural Significance

Intuition, perception, higher mind
Royalty, luxury, mystery, magic
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023

Common Uses

Denim, fabrics
Artworks, floral arrangements
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023

Indigo and Violet Definitions

Indigo

Pertaining to a hue between blue and violet in the spectrum.
The artist used indigo for the night sky in his painting.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023

Violet

Relating to the shortest wavelength of visible light.
Violet rays are at the end of the visible spectrum.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 02, 2023

Indigo

A dye obtained from the indigo plant.
The fabric was dyed using natural indigo.
Samantha Walker
Oct 02, 2023
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Violet

Symbolic of royalty, luxury, and spirituality.
The queen wore a crown adorned with violet gems.
Harlon Moss
Oct 02, 2023

Indigo

Symbolic of depth, intuition, and perception.
The room's indigo walls evoked a sense of calm and introspection.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 02, 2023

Violet

Evocative of mystery, magic, and deep spirituality.
The story described a forest bathed in violet light where magic was real.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023

Indigo

A deep blue-purple color.
She wore an indigo dress to the evening gala.
Harlon Moss
Oct 02, 2023

Violet

Any of various low-growing herbs of the genus Viola, having short-spurred, irregular flowers that are characteristically purplish-blue but sometimes yellow or white.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 08, 2022

Indigo

Any of various shrubs or herbs of the genus Indigofera in the pea family, having pinnately compound leaves and usually red or purple flowers in axillary racemes.
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Nov 08, 2022
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Violet

Any of several similar plants, such as an African violet.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 08, 2022

Indigo

A dark blue crystalline compound, C16H10N2O2, that is obtained from these plants or produced synthetically and is widely used as a textile dye. Also called indigotin.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 08, 2022

Violet

The hue at the short-wavelength end of the visible spectrum, evoked in the human observer by radiant energy with wavelengths of approximately 380 to 420 nanometers; any of a group of colors, reddish-blue in hue, that may vary in lightness and saturation.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 08, 2022

Indigo

Any of several related plants, especially those of the genera Amorpha and Baptisia.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 08, 2022

Violet

A plant or flower of the genus Viola, especially the fragrant Viola odorata; (inexact) similar-looking plants and flowers.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 08, 2022

Indigo

The hue of that portion of the visible spectrum lying between blue and violet, evoked in the human observer by radiant energy with wavelengths of approximately 420 to 450 nanometers; a dark blue to grayish purple blue.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 08, 2022

Violet

(figurative) A person thought to resemble V. odorata, especially in its beauty and delicacy.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 08, 2022

Indigo

A purplish-blue colour
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 08, 2022

Violet

A bluish-purple colour resembling that of most V. odorata.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 08, 2022

Indigo

An indigo-colored dye obtained from certain plants (the indigo plant or woad), or a similar synthetic dye.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 08, 2022

Violet

Clothes and (ecclesiastical) vestments of such a colour.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 08, 2022

Indigo

An indigo plant, such as from species in genera Indigofera, Amorpha (false indigo), Baptisia (wild indigo), and Psorothamnus and Dalea (indigo bush).
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 08, 2022

Violet

(perfumes) The characteristic scent of V. odorata.
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Nov 08, 2022

Indigo

Having a deep purplish-blue colour
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Nov 08, 2022

Violet

Syn of onion.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 08, 2022

Indigo

A kind of deep blue, one of the seven prismatic colors.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 08, 2022

Violet

Having a bluish-purple colour.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 08, 2022

Indigo

A blue dyestuff obtained from several plants belonging to very different genera and orders, such as, the woad, Isatis tinctoria (family Cruciferae), Indigofera suffroticosa, Indigofera tinctoria (family Leguminosae), Indigofera Anil, Nereum tinctorium, Polygonum tinctorium Ait. (family Polygonaceae), etc.; called also natural indigo. It is a dark blue earthy substance, tasteless and odorless, with a copper-violet luster when rubbed. Indigo does not exist in the plants as such, but is obtained by decomposition of the glycoside indican.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 08, 2022

Violet

Any plant or flower of the genus Viola, of many species. The violets are generally low, herbaceous plants, and the flowers of many of the species are blue, while others are white or yellow, or of several colors, as the pansy (Viola tricolor).
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 08, 2022

Indigo

Having the color of, pertaining to, or derived from, indigo.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 08, 2022

Violet

The color of a violet, or that part of the spectrum farthest from red. It is the most refrangible part of the spectrum.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 08, 2022

Indigo

A blue dye obtained from plants or made synthetically
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 08, 2022

Violet

In art, a color produced by a combination of red and blue in equal proportions; a bluish purple color.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 08, 2022

Indigo

Deciduous subshrub of southeastern Asia having pinnate leaves and clusters of red or purple flowers; a source of indigo dye
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 08, 2022

Violet

Any one of numerous species of small violet-colored butterflies belonging to Lycæna, or Rusticus, and allied genera.
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Nov 08, 2022

Indigo

A blue-violet color
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 08, 2022

Violet

Dark blue, inclining to red; bluish purple; having a color produced by red and blue combined.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 08, 2022

Indigo

Of or related to the indigo plant.
Indigo leaves were spread out to dry in the sun.
Harlon Moss
Oct 02, 2023

Violet

Any of numerous low-growing small-flowered violas
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 08, 2022

Violet

A variable color that lies beyond blue in the spectrum
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 08, 2022

Violet

Of a color midway between red and blue
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 08, 2022

Violet

A bright purplish-blue color.
She picked a bouquet of violet flowers.
Janet White
Oct 02, 2023

Violet

A plant or flower of a genus Viola.
Violets bloomed in her garden every spring.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023

FAQs

What is indigo?

Indigo is a deep blue-purple color and is also a dye derived from the plant of the same name.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023

Is indigo closer to blue or purple?

Indigo leans more towards blue with a hint of purple.
Harlon Moss
Oct 02, 2023

How is violet different from indigo?

Violet is a bright purplish-blue color, positioned at the end of the visible light spectrum.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023

Why is violet associated with royalty?

Historically, violet dyes were expensive, making them accessible mainly to the elite and royalty.
Harlon Moss
Oct 02, 2023

How is indigo used in fashion?

Indigo is a popular color for denim and various fabrics.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023

Is violet a primary or secondary color?

Violet is not a primary color but can be considered a secondary or tertiary color in different color models.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023

Where do indigo and violet sit in the spectrum?

Indigo is between blue and violet, while violet is at the end of the spectrum.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023

What's the significance of indigo in spirituality?

Indigo is often linked with intuition, perception, and the higher mind.
Janet White
Oct 02, 2023

What are the cultural connotations of violet?

Violet often symbolizes royalty, luxury, mystery, and spirituality.
Samantha Walker
Oct 02, 2023

Which has a shorter wavelength, indigo or violet?

Violet has the shortest wavelength of visible light.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023

Can indigo and violet be used interchangeably in art?

While both are shades of blue-purple, their distinct hues serve different artistic purposes.
Harlon Moss
Oct 02, 2023

How do you make the color indigo in art?

Indigo can be achieved by mixing blue and purple, leaning more towards blue.
Samantha Walker
Oct 02, 2023

Why is indigo included in the rainbow?

Sir Isaac Newton introduced indigo as one of the seven spectrum colors, though its distinction is sometimes debated.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 02, 2023

What flowers are typically violet?

The violet flower, from the genus Viola, is a typical example.
Samantha Walker
Oct 02, 2023

Is violet light harmful?

Violet, or ultraviolet light, has shorter wavelengths and can be harmful in prolonged exposures.
Janet White
Oct 02, 2023

Where does the name "violet" originate?

It comes from the Latin name for the flower, "viola."
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023

Are indigo and violet easily distinguishable to the human eye?

While distinct, some people might find them hard to differentiate due to the closeness in the spectrum.
Harlon Moss
Oct 02, 2023

Why is indigo considered a color of depth?

Its deep blue-purple hue evokes feelings of vastness, akin to a night sky or deep waters.
Janet White
Oct 02, 2023

Is indigo a natural dye?

Yes, indigo is derived from the plant of the same name.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023

What feelings might indigo evoke?

Indigo can inspire feelings of depth, introspection, and calm.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 02, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira Riaz
Sawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Sumera Saeed
Sumera is an experienced content writer and editor with a niche in comparative analysis. At Diffeence Wiki, she crafts clear and unbiased comparisons to guide readers in making informed decisions. With a dedication to thorough research and quality, Sumera's work stands out in the digital realm. Off the clock, she enjoys reading and exploring diverse cultures.

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