Here’s some bamboozling info. to bandy about at your next network at the office, home or school (hopefully at school, you’re not networking as yet, but just chatting to your mates) water cooler – just what are indigo and violet and is there any difference between the two?
I blame the rainbow for this particular confusion. (As I type this I imagine a lot of ‘he’ men running (or loping) strongly away to avoid any discussion regarding colours other than ‘Oh, that’s blue’).
It was Sir Isaac Newton who discovered that sunlight falling upon a prism could split into its component colours. This process is known as dispersion. Newton named the component colours: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet.
Newton, who admitted his eyes were not very critical in distinguishing colours, originally divided the spectrum into five main colours; red, yellow, green, blue and violet. Later he included orange and indigo, giving seven main colours by analogy to the number of notes in a musical scale. Newton chose to divide the visible spectrum into seven colours out of a belief derived from the beliefs of the ancient Greek sophists, who thought there was a connection between the colours, the musical notes, the known objects in the Solar System, and the days of the week. I’ll be elaborating about rainbows, prisms, spectrums in another blog, patience!
According to Isaac Asimov, “It is customary to list indigo as a color lying between blue and violet, but it has never seemed to me that indigo is worth the dignity of being considered a separate color. To my eyes it seems merely deep blue.”
If a heavyweight like Asimov, possibly the greatest science fiction writer and father of ‘hard science fiction’, has an issue with defining the colour indigo, I’m in pretty great company!
Now that we’ve established that there is a difference, my next dilemma always is – which colour do I prefer? Dark blue-ee indigo or purple shock type violet?
I’d like to say that the answer is simple, but, it isn’t. When it comes to me and colours, I go all weak at the knees and dribble saliva a little. It’s very attractive, of course, but nonetheless true. As with many a good thing in life, colours undo me – it’s as if when I was just a newt in my Mum’s tum, she swallowed a paint box of colours and all that colour got into her bloodstream and it got passed on to me in all of its Technicolor glory.
So when it comes to indigo or violet, I’ll take both please, with a healthy dollop of blueberry on the side.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between indigo and violet?
The main difference between indigo and violet lies in their position on the colour spectrum. Indigo is traditionally seen as a deep blue, lying between blue and violet, while violet is closer to purple. This distinction is based on Sir Isaac Newton's division of the visible spectrum into seven colours.
Newton's choice to include indigo was influenced by his belief in the connection between colours, musical notes, and other natural phenomena. Despite this, some, like Isaac Asimov, argue that indigo is not distinct enough to be considered separate from blue.
Why did Sir Isaac Newton include indigo in the colour spectrum?
Sir Isaac Newton included indigo in the colour spectrum as part of his belief in the connection between the seven colours and other natural phenomena. He initially identified five main colours but later added orange and indigo to align with the seven musical notes and celestial objects.
Newton's decision was influenced by ancient Greek beliefs, which associated numbers with harmony in nature. Although some, like Isaac Asimov, question the distinctiveness of indigo, Newton's inclusion was more philosophical than purely scientific.
How did Isaac Asimov view the colour indigo?
Isaac Asimov viewed the colour indigo with some scepticism, suggesting it might not deserve recognition as a separate colour. To Asimov, indigo appeared merely as a deep blue rather than a distinct hue between blue and violet on the spectrum.
Asimov's perspective highlights ongoing debates about colour classification, which can be subjective. His opinion reflects the challenges in distinguishing colours that are closely related, such as indigo and blue, especially when personal perception varies.
How did Newton's colour spectrum relate to music?
Newton's colour spectrum was related to music through his belief in a natural harmony between colours and musical notes. He divided the spectrum into seven colours to correspond with the seven notes in a musical scale, reflecting a broader philosophical view of interconnectedness in nature.
This analogy was influenced by ancient Greek thought, which often sought to find patterns and relationships across different domains. Newton's approach illustrates how scientific ideas can be shaped by cultural and philosophical contexts, even in the realm of colour.
Why might some people find it difficult to distinguish between indigo and violet?
Some people might find it difficult to distinguish between indigo and violet due to their close proximity on the colour spectrum. Indigo is often seen as a deep blue, while violet is closer to purple, making the difference subtle to the human eye.
This difficulty is compounded by individual variations in colour perception and the subjective nature of colour naming. As noted by Isaac Asimov, even experts can find it challenging to categorise indigo as a separate colour, suggesting that personal perception plays a significant role in how we see these hues.
