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Originally published: November 2007 | Last updated: June 2025 This article now provides clearer explanations about the psychology behind porphyrophobia and chromophobia from the Cleveland Clinic.
Porphyrophobia: Why Some People Fear the Color Purple
Most of us think of purple as the color of royalty, creativity, and quiet power. But for a small number of people, purple can stir something very different—anxiety.
It’s called porphyrophobia: the fear of the color purple.
The Dreamer by Pepe Ozan Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California May 2007 – November 2007
While it may sound unusual, porphyrophobia is part of a larger group of conditions known as chromophobia—a fear of colors. And it turns out, many individual colors have their own named phobias. Here are just a few:
- Melanophobia – fear of black
- Leukophobia – fear of white
- Xanthophobia – fear of yellow
- Cyanophobia – fear of blue
- Erythrophobia – fear of red
- Prasinophobia – fear of green
- Chlorophobia – fear of green (yes, two terms!)
- Kastanophobia – fear of brown
So why would someone fear a color? In some cases, the reaction is psychological—linked to a traumatic event or association with the color. For others, it's more sensory: certain colors may feel too intense, overstimulating, or uncomfortable.
But if you’re among those who see purple and feel wonder instead of worry, you’re not alone. Purple is complex—it bridges the passionate energy of red and the calm stability of blue. It’s introspective, mysterious, and endlessly expressive.
At Sensational Color, we believe color should never be feared—it should be explored, embraced, and celebrated. So if you're feeling a little purple-curious today, take that as a sign to go deeper into this captivating hue.
💜 And if you're interested in the science and psychology behind color phobias, this article from the Cleveland Clinic is a helpful starting point:
👉 Chromophobia – Fear of Colors
Did You Know About Porphyrophobia?
Leave a comment below to let us know how you feel about the color purple or any other color.
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Feature Image Credit: Kenneth Alan Lewis [CC BY-NC-ND 2.0] Floating Heads installation at Glasgow's Kelvingrove Art Gallery And Museum, Scotland
