But if I had previously known about the color “olo,” then maybe it would’ve become my favorite instead. Contrary to my previous belief, scientists have discovered new colors—and even explained that a popular color many probably think is real actually isn’t. But what makes this new cat color most fascinating is the genetics behind it. That consternation occurs when you see wavelengths on two opposite ends of the visible light spectrum –red and violet—in the same place. Your brain and eyes don’t know what to do with the two wavelengths, so they compensate, and the opposite wavelengths register as one color: purple.