{"id":4927,"date":"2017-10-11T15:04:38","date_gmt":"2017-10-11T15:04:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/startwp.logomaker.com\/blog\/2017\/10\/11\/the-subtle-gender-implications-of-purple-logos\/"},"modified":"2024-03-07T16:10:14","modified_gmt":"2024-03-07T16:10:14","slug":"the-subtle-gender-implications-of-purple-logos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/startwp.logomaker.com\/blog\/the-subtle-gender-implications-of-purple-logos\/","title":{"rendered":"The Subtle Gender Implications of Purple Logos"},"content":{"rendered":"

Women like the color purple so much that they\u2019re more likely to say \u201cyes\u201d to a man wearing purple clothes who asks them on out on a date than a man wearing clothes of any other color.<\/span><\/p>\n

Believe it or not, the above conclusion of <\/span>a survey of 2,000 people<\/span><\/a> by detergent company Ariel is consistent with a wide range of other data that shows women like purple far more than men do. Men\u2019s and women\u2019s feelings about several colors differ, but the disparity between their feelings on purple is the largest. And, yes, that includes pink.<\/span><\/p>\n

As a business owner or someone who wants to start a business, you should be very interested in the importance of colors. Color makes a difference. Using the right color in your sales and marketing materials, including your logo, can help you sell your products and services. The wrong color could turn off customers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Knowing that purple appeals to women more than men can help you decide whether you should devise a purple logo. Of course, you need to know more than that. Does purple appeal more to older or younger women? What kinds of companies have had success using purple logos? Does what purple represents to people correlate with what you are selling? These questions and others will be answered in this article.<\/span><\/p>\n

This article is the sixth in our series of articles on logo colors. The first one explained the importance of logos and whether <\/span>red logos<\/span><\/a> are for small existing or prospective businesses like yours. Since then, we\u2019ve covered <\/span>orange<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>yellow<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>green<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>blue logos<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Mars vs. Venus<\/h2>\n

A perfect example of the maxim \u201cmen are from Mars, women are from Venus\u201d is how men and women responded to academic researcher <\/span>Joe Hallock\u2019s survey on favorite colors<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Precisely zero men said purple was their favorite color in the survey of 10 colors\u2019 popularity. On the other hand, purple ranked second among women in the poll behind blue with 23 percent saying purple was number 1. <\/span><\/p>\n

Similarly, University of Maryland sociologist <\/span>Philip Cohen\u2019s poll<\/span><\/a> showed that purple was far more popular among women with 27 percent selecting it as their favorite color, nearly beating out blue, while 12 percent of men chose purple. In addition, 22 percent of men and 8 percent of women in Hallock\u2019s survey said purple was their least favorite color.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why was there such a disparity? The surveys didn\u2019t answer that question. But we spent some time researching why women like purple.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLight purple or lavender is a feminine, graceful, elegant color that has long been associated with refined, wealthy women,\u201d reports the article \u201c<\/span>Meaning of The Color Purple.<\/span><\/a>\u201d \u201cWhile the color purple represents royalty, lavender represents beauty and femininity. Lavender is considered to be the \u201cgrown-up\u201d pink.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Most of the articles we found did not discuss why women view purple as a feminine color, but <\/span>\u201cPsychology of Color\u201d author Eva Heller reported<\/span><\/a> that surveys show purple combined with pink is associated with eroticism, femininity, and seduction.<\/span><\/p>\n

The color of royalty<\/h2>\n

Purple\u2019s appeal is based on more than the perception that it’s a feminine color.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe color purple has been associated with royalty, power and wealth for centuries,\u201d <\/span>reports Live Science<\/span><\/a>. \u201cIn fact, Queen Elizabeth I forbad anyone except close members of the royal family to wear it. Purple’s elite status stems from the rarity and cost of the dye originally used to produce it. Purple fabric used to be so outrageously expensive that only rulers could afford it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Purple was also the color of the Roman Empire\u2019s rulers. Julius Caesar proclaimed only he could wear it and Nero executed non-royals who did, reports <\/span>\u201cAll About The Color Purple.\u201d<\/span><\/a> The authority that purple conveyed was strengthened by the fact that religious leaders such as Roman Catholic bishops also often wore elaborate purple clothes. Catholic priests still do.<\/span><\/p>\n

Given purple\u2019s status as an elite color, it\u2019s not surprising that purple is the color most often associated with royalty and piety, according to Heller\u2019s book. She also wrote it\u2019s the color most often associated with magic and mystery. Purple also represents bravery because of the Purple Heart medal for military heroes and is associated with creativity, fun, and imagination, report several experts on how to use purple in business.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPurple is a color favored by creative types,\u201d <\/span>reports <\/span>Entrepreneur<\/span><\/em> magazine<\/span><\/a>. \u201cit evokes mystery, sophistication, spirituality and royalty.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Logos in purple<\/h2>\n

Purple\u2019s appeal to women, particularly older women according to Hallock\u2019s survey, and its connection to elites have affected the business world — and could affect your company.<\/span><\/p>\n

Companies that sell beauty and anti-aging products often use purple in their logos, reports <\/span>\u201cThe Hidden Meanings Behind Famous Logo Colors.\u201d<\/span><\/a> If you are selling that kind of product, you should definitely consider a purple logo. \u201cA purple logo shows that your brand is luxurious and imaginative,\u201d the article says. \u201cIt can attract consumers who want to be seen as wealthy or wise, as well as ones who are inclined towards a feeling of magic or mystery.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Surprisingly, few large companies have logos in purple. That\u2019s because royalty can have a negative connotation and \u201ccommunicate in an arrogant way\u201d reports <\/span>\u201cPsychology of the Color Purple and What it Means for Your Business.\u201d<\/span><\/a> However, the lack of purple logos can represent an opportunity for you.<\/span><\/p>\n

Companies that use purple logos include:<\/span><\/p>\n