# If complimentary colors are "ideal" then why is yellow/purple not more common? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 7, 2016, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-complimentary-colors-are-ideal-then-why-is-yellow-purple-not-more-common/742454 "2016-01-07T23:03:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Robert163](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4af34b/32.png) [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2016, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-complimentary-colors-are-ideal-then-why-is-yellow-purple-not-more-common/742454/1 "2016-01-07T23:03:04Z")
If complimentary colors are “ideal” then why is yellow/purple not more common? Complimentary colors: explanation: [[1]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Complementary_colors), [[2]](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LZCFvFl0QkA/VmTyH9hgA-I/AAAAAAAACYg/BgkYajf7X3U/s1600/colour-wheel-complementary-colours-desktop-resolution.gif), [[3]](http://www.colormatters.com/color-and-design/basic-color-theory) Is it my lack of recall/lack of observation, but are red and green and orange and blue much more common color combinations in advertising, graphic design, etc, than purple and yellow? Bonus question… do you think color theory according to the standard color wheel is valid/accurate etc? ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2016, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-complimentary-colors-are-ideal-then-why-is-yellow-purple-not-more-common/742454/2 "2016-01-07T23:12:54Z")
We see it all the time around the Twin Cities. Go Vikings! ---
**Author:** ![Robert163](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4af34b/32.png) [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2016, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-complimentary-colors-are-ideal-then-why-is-yellow-purple-not-more-common/742454/3 "2016-01-07T23:17:22Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > We see it all the time around the Twin Cities. Go Vikings! yes, and with the nexium pill i think? i really can’t think of many examples… ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2016, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-complimentary-colors-are-ideal-then-why-is-yellow-purple-not-more-common/742454/4 "2016-01-07T23:26:25Z")
> [@Robert163](#): > > If complimentary colors are “ideal” then why is yellow/purple not more common? > > Complimentary colors: explanation: [[1]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Complementary_colors), [[2]](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LZCFvFl0QkA/VmTyH9hgA-I/AAAAAAAACYg/BgkYajf7X3U/s1600/colour-wheel-complementary-colours-desktop-resolution.gif), [[3]](http://www.colormatters.com/color-and-design/basic-color-theory) I’m not sure they really are “ideal.” From the first paragraph of your first link: > [@](#): > > When placed next to each other, they create the strongest contrast for those particular two colors. Due to this striking color clash, the term opposite colors is often considered more appropriate than “complementary colors”. In some situations, a striking contrast isn’t really what you want. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2016, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-complimentary-colors-are-ideal-then-why-is-yellow-purple-not-more-common/742454/5 "2016-01-07T23:30:48Z")
One learns in quilting that yellow is a difficult color, that it tends to overpower the other colors. It could be that orange/blue and red/green are more “equal”/less contrasty when it comes to a pleasing design, the red/green vibration notwithstanding. ---
**Author:** ![Robert163](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4af34b/32.png) [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2016, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-complimentary-colors-are-ideal-then-why-is-yellow-purple-not-more-common/742454/6 "2016-01-07T23:31:15Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > I’m not sure they really are “ideal.” From the first paragraph of your first link:In some situations, a striking contrast isn’t really what you want. Well, it depends upon the situation. For a portrait you want the subject in the center of the frame, where it has emphasis and draws attention. If you want a natural looking “man on the street” photograph (technically called candid photography) you want the subject to the side, or,more specifically, where they would actually be in the normal course of events in the frame of the photograph. Rules for are are never/rarely 100%. I am interested in learning more about the use of yellow/purple… ---
**Author:** ![Robert163](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4af34b/32.png) [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2016, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-complimentary-colors-are-ideal-then-why-is-yellow-purple-not-more-common/742454/7 "2016-01-07T23:33:51Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > I’m not sure they really are “ideal.” From the first paragraph of your first link:In some situations, a striking contrast isn’t really what you want. a good example of this is blue/yellow it has high contrast and is used quite often. michigan football helmets, the flag of sweeden, and the san diego chargers are 3 examples that come to mind… ETA: oops, thought you said a striking contrast is what you want. There are example of when a striking example is not what you want. That is called [monochromatic](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1a/CPT-Websites-monochrome.svg/2000px-CPT-Websites-monochrome.svg.png) or [analogou](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sG_UugpRplk/UXFuNoViucI/AAAAAAAAAGM/nNq7yEmt6GQ/s1600/analogous+colors.jpg)s coloring… ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2016, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-complimentary-colors-are-ideal-then-why-is-yellow-purple-not-more-common/742454/8 "2016-01-07T23:47:13Z")
> [@Robert163](#): > > If complimentary colors are “ideal”… Another vote for “No, complimentary colors are rarely ideal.” (And that’s from a design teacher, so there…). How often do you wear a dress with fluorescent red and green stripes? Or a three-piece suit with a big, electric-blue-and-orange plaid? (By the way, the technical design term for that is _“The Kowalski Tartan”)_ ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2016, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-complimentary-colors-are-ideal-then-why-is-yellow-purple-not-more-common/742454/9 "2016-01-07T23:48:22Z")
The yellow and purple combo is used in [The Minions](https://openbookopenheartdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/evil-minion-and-purple-animal-despicable-me-21.jpg) as well as [How I Met Your Mother](https://howimetyourmothermedia.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/77a98fd5ef75b318a949eb9e48ba996d.jpg). Coincidentally, I read a buzzfeed thing or watched one of those ‘93 facts you didn’t know about’ things on HIMYM AND Minions/Despicable Me and they both mentioned the color thing. WRT HIMYM, if you didn’t watch it. The Umbrella did become ‘a thing’ for the rest of the series, also that show almost went out of it’s way to be clever (like Arrested Development), so it’s not that someone noticed some purple and yellow in one episode and shoehorned it into theory (I supposed it’s possible, but I doubt it). ---
**Author:** ![jabiru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bbce88/32.png) [@jabiru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jabiru)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2016, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-complimentary-colors-are-ideal-then-why-is-yellow-purple-not-more-common/742454/10 "2016-01-07T23:53:12Z")
I can’t say I’ve ever seen an orange/blue combination. Yellow/blue, yes. ---
**Author:** ![Robert163](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4af34b/32.png) [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2016, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-complimentary-colors-are-ideal-then-why-is-yellow-purple-not-more-common/742454/11 "2016-01-07T23:55:41Z")
> [@jabiru](#): > > I can’t say I’ve ever seen an orange/blue combination. Yellow/blue, yes. Orange/blue… new york mets, fed ex, syracuse university… a few others probably if i thought of it… ---
**Author:** ![Robert163](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4af34b/32.png) [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2016, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-complimentary-colors-are-ideal-then-why-is-yellow-purple-not-more-common/742454/12 "2016-01-07T23:59:28Z")
> [@digs](#): > > Another vote for “No, complimentary colors are rarely ideal.” (And that’s from a design teacher, so there…). > > How often do you wear a dress with fluorescent red and green stripes? Or a three-piece suit with a big, electric-blue-and-orange plaid? (By the way, the technical design term for that is _“The Kowalski Tartan”)_ ok… but i was taught in art school about complimentary colors… i never used them much but we were taught… they even have things like this, a [color guide](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001L6CSG6?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00). well you can’t see it there but it has a section for “triads”… there colors selected to go together… then it has the section on complementary colors… i guess really they don’t get used much? ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2016, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-complimentary-colors-are-ideal-then-why-is-yellow-purple-not-more-common/742454/13 "2016-01-08T00:05:31Z")
> [@Robert163](#): > > ok… but i was taught in art school about complimentary colors… i never used them much but we were taught… they even have things like this, a [color guide](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001L6CSG6?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00). well you can’t see it there but it has a section for “triads”… there colors selected to go together… then it has the section on complementary colors… i guess really they don’t get used much? So you went from \, to \? They are used when you want high-contrast graphic stuff, like as you have said, flags and sports logos and such. They just aren’t as pleasing for other applications. And I mentioned my theory on yellow/purple above. ---
**Author:** ![Grumman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/43a26b/32.png) [@Grumman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumman)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2016, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-complimentary-colors-are-ideal-then-why-is-yellow-purple-not-more-common/742454/14 "2016-01-08T00:05:55Z")
> [@jabiru](#): > > I can’t say I’ve ever seen an orange/blue combination. Yellow/blue, yes. [Orange and blue seems like the most commonly discussed one.](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/OrangeBlueContrast) ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2016, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-complimentary-colors-are-ideal-then-why-is-yellow-purple-not-more-common/742454/15 "2016-01-08T00:07:20Z")
> [@Robert163](#): > > Orange/blue… new york mets, fed ex, syracuse university… a few others probably if i thought of it… Denver Broncos, and sorta the Miami Dolphins. My junior high school and both of the high schools I attended used “purple & gold” as their colors, and had I decided to attend the University of Washington instead of Washington State, so would have my college. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2016, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-complimentary-colors-are-ideal-then-why-is-yellow-purple-not-more-common/742454/16 "2016-01-08T00:10:38Z")
Let’s also not forget [Planet Fitness.](https://www.google.com/search?q=planet+fitness&biw=1414&bih=477&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj0jO6n9JjKAhWG7yYKHbWYAn0Q_AUICCgD) ---
**Author:** ![John\_Bredin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/96bed5/32.png) [@John\_Bredin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Bredin)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2016, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-complimentary-colors-are-ideal-then-why-is-yellow-purple-not-more-common/742454/17 "2016-01-08T00:13:02Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > We see it all the time around the Twin Cities. Go Vikings! To go in the opposite direction from the Twin Cities 🙂 Mardi Gras decorations! ---
**Author:** ![Robert163](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4af34b/32.png) [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2016, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-complimentary-colors-are-ideal-then-why-is-yellow-purple-not-more-common/742454/18 "2016-01-08T00:18:44Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > So you went from \, to \? They are used when you want high-contrast graphic stuff, like as you have said, flags and sports logos and such. They just aren’t as pleasing for other applications. And I mentioned my theory on yellow/purple above. IDK… I’m just seeing what other people have to say… ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2016, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-complimentary-colors-are-ideal-then-why-is-yellow-purple-not-more-common/742454/19 "2016-01-08T00:24:26Z")
> [@jabiru](#): > > I can’t say I’ve ever seen an orange/blue combination. Yellow/blue, yes. Chicago Bears; Fighting Illini… ---
**Author:** ![Greg\_Charles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/839c29/32.png) [@Greg\_Charles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greg_Charles)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2016, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-complimentary-colors-are-ideal-then-why-is-yellow-purple-not-more-common/742454/20 "2016-01-08T00:26:30Z")
OK, first, you’re talking about complementary colors, not complimentary. Second, the primary colors red, blue, and yellow, while not completely arbitrary, are much more arbitrary than we were led to believe in grade school. At least, I came through grade school with the ideas that these three colors were impossible to produce by mixing and that any other color could be produced by mixing these three (possibly with the addition of black and or white). Neither of these ideas is correct. It’s also not correct to think of red, blue, and yellow as equally spaced on a conceptual color wheel. Therefore, it’s a bad assumption that the relations of red to green, blue to orange, and yellow to purple will be in any way equivalent. Basically, everything I thought I knew about color up till fairly recently was wrong. I wish I had ditched class more often. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-complimentary-colors-are-ideal-then-why-is-yellow-purple-not-more-common/742454.md?page=2)