What Color is Lilac
Lilac is a pale, red-based violet shade named after the Syringa flower. Distinct from the bluer lavender, it carries a warm undertone that bridges the gap between delicate femininity and spiritual introspection.
Additional Information
- Color Family: Red-Violet
- Temperature: Cool
- Associated Season: Spring
- Complementary Color: #A2C8A2
- Brightness: 178/255
- Saturation: 19%
Colors That Pair Well With Lilac
Complementary
Pair with Spring Rain for a harmonious, balanced look. Great for backgrounds and accents.
High Contrast
Use Killarney for maximum readability. Ideal for text or critical UI elements.
Harmonious Depth
Use lighter and darker shades for a sophisticated, cohesive design. Great for backgrounds, text, and subtle accents.
Color Variations
Tints (add white)
Tones (add grey)
Lilac History
The name derives from the Persian word nilak, meaning bluish, entering European vocabulary via the flower. Historically, purple pigments were prohibitively expensive, extracted from sea snails for royalty, meaning pale variations like lilac were rarely seen in textiles until the invention of synthetic aniline dyes in the mid-19th century.
In the Victorian era, lilac held a specific societal function during the final stage of half-mourning, allowing widows to transition gently back into society after wearing black. Later, Impressionist painters adopted the hue to depict atmospheric shadows and light, moving away from the stark blacks of previous art movements.
Meaning & Psychology
Psychologically, lilac is associated with gentleness and open-mindedness, lacking the aggressive urgency of red or the deep solemnity of royal purple. It encourages a state of reverie, often linked to creativity and the blurring lines between reality and dreams.
The color also suggests youthfulness and innocence, frequently used in marketing to target younger demographics or nostalgic sentiments. However, because of its fragile nature, it can imply vulnerability or emotional sensitivity in branding and interior environments.
In Nature
While named after the specific Syringa vulgaris blooms, this shade appears fleetingly across the botanical world in wisteria vines and creeping phlox. It is famously captured in the twilight sky during the "blue hour," and mineralogically, it is found in pale specimens of amethyst geodes and kunzite crystals.
How To Use Lilac
In modern design, lilac serves as a sophisticated alternative to pink, offering a non-traditional take on femininity and romance. It is exceptionally effective in packaging for cosmetics and confectionery, where it suggests sweetness without becoming cloying.
From an accessibility standpoint, this color poses a challenge due to its low saturation and high lightness; white text will almost always fail contrast standards. Designers must use dark grey or deep violet type to ensure legibility and meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.
Related Words
Curated Palettes
Victorian Half-Mourning
A sophisticated, nostalgic palette referencing 19th-century fashion protocols.
Botanical Softness
Inspired by spring gardens, pairing lilac with fresh greens and neutrals.
Digital Vaporwave
A high-energy, retro-futuristic blend popular in digital interface design.
Color Conversions
Color Blindness Simulation
CSS Snippets
color: #C8A2C8;
color: rgb(200, 162, 200);
background-color: #C8A2C8;
border: 3px solid #C8A2C8;
box-shadow: 0 4px 12px #C8A2C866;
background: linear-gradient(135deg, #C8A2C8 0%, #ffffff 100%);
Shop Premium Products in Lilac
This isn't just a mockup. We'll custom make high-quality home decor in this exact shade, just for you.
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Product Details
Add a touch of luxury to your home with our premium Eco Velvet cushions. Soft to the touch, these cushions are perfect for adding comfort and style to any room.
- Material: Soft Eco Velvet.
- Feel: Velvety soft finish.
- Print: Double-sided, all-over vibrant color using water-based inks.
- Care: Machine washable at 30°C.
- Construction: Handmade to order with a concealed zipper.
Eco Credentials
We believe in sustainable style. Our cushions are crafted with the planet in mind.
- Made to Order: Produced only when you order, eliminating overproduction and waste.
- Water-Based Inks: Printed using neo-pigment, water-based inks that are non-hazardous, toxin-free, and vegan-friendly.
- Local Fulfilment: Produced locally where possible to reduce carbon emissions from transport.
- Vegan Friendly: No animal products are used in the production of these cushions.
What Goes With Lilac?
Explore color palettes containing Lilac and discover harmonious combinations for your designs.
Analogous
Complementary
Split-complementary
Triadic
Tetradic
Accessibility
Contrast with Black and White
Contrast with Black
UI Examples
"Color is a power which directly influences the soul."
Contrast Ratio
Contrast with White
UI Examples
"Color is a power which directly influences the soul."
Contrast Ratio
Closest Color Matches
Polychromos
light magenta
#119 • #D786B9
Caran d'ache Luminance 6901
Manganese Violet
#112 • #B381BB
Prismacolor
Parma Violet
#PC1008 • #8E69BA
Polychromos
manganese violet
#160 • #9A69AD
Similar Colors
View all Red-Violet colors →Colors with similar hex values and appearance to Lilac
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hex code for Lilac?
What colors go with Lilac?
Is Lilac accessible for text?
How do I use Lilac in CSS?
You can use Lilac in CSS with its hex code. Here is an example class:
.lilac {
background-color: #C8A2C8;
color: #FFFFFF;
}For more snippets including gradients, see the CSS snippets section.