It is no secret that the purple color is one of those colors that is liked by many people out there. To start with, the color symbolizes grandeur, wisdom, royalty, creativity, and independence. It is also associated with wealth. That said, it is important to note that this color is not uniform all the time. It has different shades. Some of the popular shades of this color are lilac and lavender.
However, there is a difference between these color variations. If you check keenly, you will note that lilac usually has some pink tint to it. However, its counterpart usually has some blue tint to it. In this article, we shall take a closer look at both colors so that we can know their differences as well as their similarities.
Differences Between Lilac And Lavender
Although both colors are associated with femininity, they are different in several ways. Some of these ways include:
| Lilac | Lavender |
|---|---|
 |  |
- Appearance : When it comes to appearance, these color variations differ. Like we mentioned above, lavender has some bluish tinge on it, while lilac has a pinkish tinge on it. This characteristic can easily be seen from a distance.
- Shades : Lavender comes in different shades such as medium lavender magenta, bright lavender, lavender magenta, and lavender-pink. On the other hand, lilac can be rich lilac, pale lilac, or better still, deep lilac.
- Colour code : It is imperative to note that both colors usually have different hex codes. For instance, the hex code for lilac is #C8A2C8, while that of its counterpart is #E6E6FA.
- Preparation : As far as preparation is concerned, you will note that lavender is usually made by mixing white with purple. Lilac on the other hand, is made by mixing blue with red. If you want to create lilac’s pastel hue, you can go ahead and add some white color to the mixture of both red and blue.
- Effects : Although these colors nearly look the same, they have different effects on the mind. For instance, you will note that lilac has some soothing effects and can actually encourage someone to express his or her emotions. In fact, this color is usually considered to be feminine and is associated with affection and romance. Lavender on the other hand, is associated with grace and elegance.
- Pairing colors : The colors mentioned above are not exceptional when it comes to pairing or complementary colors. In essence, they have particular colors that they match with. For instance, lavender can readily be paired with orange, green, golden yellow, magenta, violet, and lime green. Lilac on the other hand, can pair well with yellow, gray, orange, and olive green. This color also complements well with soft pink or analogous shades of purple.
- Color wheel : Due to its blue undertones, lavender is normally considered to be a cool color on the color wheel. However, it counterpart appears on the warm end of the wheel.
- Statistics : It is imperative to note that both colors have different hue angles. For instance, the hue angel of lilac is 300 degrees while that of its counterpart is 240 degrees. Besides this, their saturation differs. Lavender, for example, has a saturation of 66.7%, while that of lilac is 25.7%. Finally, these colors have different levels of lightness. For example, lilac boasts of having a lightness of 71%, while lavender has a lightness of 94.1%.
- Smell : Besides the features mentioned above, smell is another characteristic that separates these colors. Lavender usually has a fresh and light smell. Though it smells like a typical flower, it is not that strong. This makes it ideal for making fragrances. On the other hand, lilac is richly and deeply floral. Its scent can be likened to that of a rose with some traces of vanilla. Therefore, it has a strong smell than lavender. In this case, it is ideal for making strong perfume. Lilac’s fragrance varies depending on the stage of booming and the time of the day. If you want to get the most intense fragrance, you should use it when the weather is hot or sunny.
- Growth : Both lavender and lilac flowers grow differently. Lavender usually grows in whorls and is usually held on spikes rising above the foliage. Its counterpart on the other hand, usually grows in large pinnacle. This is another characteristic that can be seen from a distance.
- Symbolism : Lavender symbolizes many thing such as grace, devotion, purity, silence, and even calmness. Since lavender is purple in color, it can also symbolize nobility, power, royalty, and even ambition. Lilac on the other hand, symbolizes youthfulness, innocence, pride, and so on. Since lilacs usually bloom early, they are generally associated with spring, renewal, and fresh starts.
Does Lilac And Lavender Have Some Similarities?
Yes. To start with, both can be used to make perfumes. Besides this, these colors usually have aromatic properties. These colors also shades of purple and are made from the same colors, blue and red. Finally, both lilac and lavender flowers appear the same when it comes to shape and color.
Final Thoughts
Although most people usually confuse these colors, there are many differences between them. From how they are prepared to what they symbolize, there are many differences that set them apart. However, both colors usually have aromatic properties and can be used for different purposes. The above-mentioned differences and similarities will enable you to choose the right color that suits your needs.
