The colour

red is the
colour of
energy,
passion
and
action.
THE COLOUR
RED
PREHISTORY

ANCIENT HISTORY

MEANING

COLOR STUDY

VARIATIONS OF RED

POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE TRAITS

EFFECTS OF RED

I
SUPERSTITIONS

RED AS A FAVOURITE COLOR

N MEANING OF THE COLOR AROUND THE GLOBE

IMPORTANCE IN THE DESIGNING FIELD

D HOW RED AFFECTS VISION AND PHYSICALLY

POLITICAL ASSOCIATION OF THE COLOR

E
X RED AS THE CHAKRA COLOR

INTERESTING INFORMATION ABOUT THE COLOR

RED IN ATHLETICS AND SPORTS

RED-THE GOOD CAUSES

RED IN THE GARDEN

RED IN OUR SENSE OF TASTE AND SMELL

RED IN THE COLOUR THERAPY

RED IN ENGLISH GRAMMAR

 PREHISTORY
Inside cave 13B at Pinnacle Point, an archeological site found on the
coast of South Africa, paleoanthropologists in 2000 found evidence
that, between 170,000 and 40,000 years ago, Late Stone Age people
were scraping and grinding ochre, a clay colored red by iron oxide,
probably with the intention of using it to color their bodies.
Red hematite powder was also found scattered around the remains at
a grave site in a Zhoukoudian cave complex near Beijing. The site has
evidence of habitation as early as 700,000 years ago. The hematite
might have been used to symbolize blood in an offering to the dead.
Red, black and white were the first colors used by artists in the Upper
Paleolithic age, probably because natural pigments such as red ochre
and iron oxide were readily available where early people lived. Madder,
a plant whose root could be made into a red dye, grew widely in
Europe, Africa and Asia.
The cave of Altamira in Spain has a painting of a bison colored with red
ochre that dates to between 15,000 and 16,500 BC.
A red dye called Kermes was made beginning in the Neolithic Period by
drying and then crushing the bodies of the females of a tiny scale
insect in the genus Kermes, primarily Kermes vermilio. The insects live
on the sap of certain trees, especially Kermes oak trees near the
Mediterranean region. Jars of kermes have been found in a Neolithic
cave-burial at Adaoutse, Bouches-du-Rhône. Kermes from oak trees
was later used by Romans, who imported it from Spain. A different
variety of dye was made from Porphyrophora hamelii (Armenian
cochineal) scale insects that lived on the roots and stems of certain
herbs. It was mentioned in texts as early as the 8th century BC, and it
was used by the ancient Assyrians and Persians.
Kermes is also mentioned in the Bible. In the Book of Exodus, God
instructs Moses to have the Israelites bring him an offering including
cloth "of blue, and purple, and scarlet." The term used for scarlet in the
4th century Latin Vulgate version of the Bible passage is coccumque
bis tinctum, meaning "colored twice with coccus." Coccus, from the
ancient Greek Kokkos, means a tiny grain and is the term that was
used in ancient times for the Kermes vermilio insect used to make the
Kermes dye. This was also the origin of the expression "dyed in the
grain."
 ANCIENT
HISTORY
In ancient Egypt, red was associated with life, health, and victory.
Egyptians would color themselves with red ochre during celebrations.
Egyptian women used red ochre as a cosmetic to redden cheeks and
lips and also used henna to color their hair and paint their nails.
But, like many colors, it also had a negative association, with heat,
destruction and evil. A prayer to god Isis said: "Oh Isis, protect me from
all things evil and red." The ancient Egyptians began manufacturing
pigments in about 4000 BC. Red ochre was widely used as a pigment
for wall paintings, particularly as the skin color of men. An ivory
painter's palette found inside the tomb of King Tutankhamun had small
compartments with pigments of red ochre and five other colors. The
Egyptians used the root of the rubia, or madder plant, to make a dye,
later known as alizarin, and also used it to color white power to use as
a pigment, which became known as madder lake, alizarin or alizarin
crimson.
In Ancient China, artisans were making red and black painted pottery
as early as the Yangshao Culture period (5000-3000 BC). A red-painted
wooden bowl was found at a Neolithic site in Yuyao, Zhejiang. Other
red-painted ceremonial objects have been found at other sites dating
to the Spring and Autumn period (770–221 BC).
During the Han dynasty (200 BC to 200 AD) Chinese craftsmen made a
red pigment, lead tetroxide, which they called ch-ien tan, by heating
lead white pigment. Like the Egyptians, they made a red dye from the
madder plant to color silk fabric for gowns and used pigments colored
with madder to make red lacquerware.
Red lead or Lead tetroxide pigment was widely used as the red in
Persian and Indian miniature paintings as well as in European art,
where it was called minium.
In India, the rubia plant has been used to make dye since ancient
times. A piece of cotton dyed with rubia dated to the third millennium
BC was found at an archaeological site at Mohenjo-Daro. It has been
used by Indian monks and hermits for centuries to dye their robes .
 MEANING
This color is a warm and positive color associated with our most
physical needs and our will to survive. It exudes a strong and powerful
masculine energy.

Red is energizing. It excites the emotions and motivates us to take

action.

It signifies a pioneering spirit and leadership qualities, promoting

ambition and determination.

It is also strong-willed and can give confidence to those who are shy or
lacking in will power.

Being the color of physical movement, the color red awakens our
physical life force.

It is the color revenge and anger on the negative.

It is often used to express love, as in Valentine’s Day, however it

relates more to sexuality and lust, rather than love – love is expressed
with pink.

At its most positive it can create life with its sexual energy, or use its
negative expression of anger and aggression to fuel war and
destruction.

The color red can stimulate the appetite, often being used in
restaurants for this purpose. It also increases craving for food and
other stimuli.

Being surrounded by too much of the color red can cause us to become
irritated, agitated and ultimately angry. Too little and we become
cautious, manipulative and fearful.

In Eastern cultures such as China red is the color for good luck.
Although times are changing and many Chinese brides now wear
white, it is traditionally the color for weddings. In Indian culture it
symbolizes purity and is often used in their wedding gowns.
 COLOUR
STUDY
Red is the color at the longer-wavelengths end of the spectrum of
visible light next to orange, at the opposite end from violet. Red color
has a predominant light wavelength of roughly 620–740 nanometers.
Light with a longer wavelength than red but shorter than terahertz
radiation and microwave is called infrared.
Red is one of the additive primary colors of visible light, along with
green and blue, which in Red Green Blue (RGB) color systems are
combined to create all the colors on a computer monitor or television
screen. Red is also one of the subtractive primary colors, along with
yellow and blue, of the RYB color space and traditional color wheel
used by painters and artists. Reds can vary in shade from very light
pink to very dark maroon or burgundy; and in hue from the bright
orange-red scarlet or vermilion to the bluish-red crimson. Red is the
complementary color of cyan.
In nature, the red color of blood comes from hemoglobin, the iron-
containing protein found in the red blood cells of all vertebrates. The
red color of the Grand Canyon and other geological features is caused
by hematite or red ochre, both forms of iron oxide. It also causes the
red color of the planet Mars. The red sky at sunset and sunrise is
caused by an optical effect known as Rayleigh scattering, which, when
the sun is low or below the horizon, increases the red-wavelength light
that reaches the eye. The color of autumn leaves is caused by
pigments called anthocyanins, which are produced towards the end of
summer, when the green chlorophyll is no longer produced. One to two
percent of the human population has red hair; the color is produced by
high levels of the reddish pigment pheomelanin (which also accounts
for the red color of the lips) and relatively low levels of the dark
pigment eumelanin.
Since red is the color of blood, it has historically been associated with
sacrifice, danger and courage. Modern surveys in the United States
and Europe show red is also the color most commonly associated with
heat, activity, passion, sexuality, anger, love and joy. In China, India
and many other Asian countries it is the color of symbolizing happiness
and good fortune.
VARIATONS OF
THE COLOUR
RED:

Maroon: a dark bluish red, it denotes controlled and more

thoughtful action. It is slightly softer than burgundy and not as
dramatic as true red.

Burgundy: a dark purplish red, it is more sophisticated and

serious and less energetic than true red. It indicates controlled power,
determined ambition and dignified action and is often favored by the
wealthy.

Crimson: has a little blue in it. It indicates a determination to

succeed but without upsetting anyone else. It emits sensuality rather
than sexuality.

Scarlet: has a little orange mixed with it, giving it a richness and
brightness. It indicates enthusiasm and a love of life. It is a little less
intense and more fun-loving than true red, tempered with a degree of
defiance.

Red can vary in hue from orange-red to violet-red, and for each hue
there is a wide variety of shades and tints, from very light pink to dark
burgundy.
 

Pure, or solid red, the color of most ripe strawberries.

Scarlet is one quarter of the way between the colors red and orange. It
is the color worn by a cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church.

The cardinal takes its name from the color worn by Roman Catholic
cardinals.
 

Pink is a pale shade of red. Cherry blossoms in the Tsutsujigaoka Park,

Sendai, Miyagi, Japan.

Vermilion is similar to scarlet, but slightly more orange. This sindoor, a

red cosmetic powder used in India; Hindu women put a stripe of
sindoor in their hair to show they are married.


Crimson is a strong, deep red containing a little blue. The emblem
of Harvard University.

Maroon is a dark brownish red. Its name comes from marron, the
French word for chestnut.[11]

Ruby is the color of a cut and polished ruby gemstone.


Burgundy, claret, or Wine red, is a very dark red containing a little
blue. In France, this color is known as Bordeaux.
POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE
TRAITS OF THE COLOUR:
Positive keywords include: action, energy and speed, attention-
getting, assertive and confident, energizing, stimulating, exciting,
powerful, passionate, stimulating and driven, courageous and strong,
spontaneous and determined.

Negative keywords include: aggressive and domineering, over-

bearing, tiring, angry and quick-tempered, ruthless, fearful and
intolerant, rebellious and obstinate, resentful, violent and brutal.

RED REPRESENTS:
Energy: it boosts our physical energy levels, increases our heart rate
and blood pressure and prompts the release of adrenalin.

Action: it is fast moving and promotes a need for action and

movement.

Desire: it relates to physical desire in all its forms- sexual, appetite,

cravings.

Passion: it means a passionate belief in an issue or undertaking,

including passionate love or passionate hate. Anger is negative
passion.

EFFECTS OF RED:
Stimulating: to the physical senses- the sexual and physical
appetite. It stimulates revenge.

Exciting and Motivating: it excites our emotions and inspires us to

take action.

Attention-getting: it demands you to take notice, alerting you to

danger. Therefore, we have red traffic lights and stop signs – it is the
universal color for danger.
 Assertive and Aggressive: drivers of red cars should take note! A
small survey I did a few years ago showed that drivers of red cars,
including females, said they felt quite aggressive behind the wheel of
their red car.

THE COLOUR
RED-
IN EVENTS
Choosing a Red themed wedding, from a colour psychology
perspective, creates passion, energy and excitement.

Red will create a warm and stimulating mood at your wedding with
high energy and lots of action.

 Choosing red for your main wedding color identifies you as

extroverted, confident and optimistic.
 It is an attention-seeking and an attention-getting color so
whichever way you look at it, you like to be noticed and love being
the center of attention – which of course is perfect for your wedding.
 You are action oriented with a deep need for physical fulfilment
and to experience life through the five senses – this will be evident in
your wedding with music, dancing, good food and a great visual
experience for everyone.
 You will want to be in control of all aspects of your wedding, but
be aware that you may come across as being bossy at times and
your aggression may upset others involved in your wedding planning.
 You will demonstrate a vibrant enthusiasm for life throughout
your marriage as you discover and pursue new physical directions
and goals – you will need a like-minded marriage partner to keep up
with your energy levels!
 SUPERSTITIONS
There are some old English superstitions around using red and white
for wedding colors. These superstitions say that any combination of red
and white, including flowers, should be avoided because they
represent blood and bandages–not the best symbols for a wedding. If
you are not superstitious then take no notice of this.

If Your Favorite Color is Red:

• Having red as your favorite color identifies you as extroverted
and optimistic, courageous and confident.
• With a favorite color red, you like to be the center of attention - in
fact all reds crave attention - other people are drawn to the vitality and
sense of excitement you emit.
• As a personality color red, you are stimulating to be with and you
radiate a great deal of energy.
• You are ambitious and competitive and like to be the winner - you
are achievement orientated and second place is not good enough for
you. With you it is all or nothing.
• You usually gain the respect of others quite easily with your
practical and grounded attitude and ability to set boundaries.
• Lovers of red are the explorers and pioneers of the world, the
entrepreneurs and builders who like to be first in discovering new
physical realms.
• If you favor the personality color red you have a passion and
enthusiasm for life and are not afraid to pursue your dreams and goals.
• You are impulsive - you should count to 10 before reacting to
situations as it is in these situations that your anger and aggression
often appears.
• You are always in a hurry, wanting to do everything right now.
Patience is not one of your strong points.
• You do not procrastinate - you never put off until tomorrow what
you can do today.
• You are a hard worker when you have a personality color red, and
you specifically enjoy physical labor and working with your hands.
• Red people can be aggressive and easy to anger, often exhibiting
a violent temper - this is negative passion and energy. You flare up
instantaneously but calm down quite quickly once you get it out of
your system and then forget it ever happened - you do not hold a
grudge.
• Lovers of red are probably not particularly spiritual or religious -
however if you do participate in religious activities it is the physical
customs and rituals that you are drawn to, the singing, Communion
and other rituals, organizing the church fete and other fundraising
activities, the physical part of being there. Red people like to take care
of the nuts and bolts, the nitty-gritty, the practical aspects and physical
preparation of organizing an event.
• You have a strong need for power and control which is connected
to your basic survival instincts.
• You can be somewhat of a know-it-all, not wanting to appear
unintelligent or ignorant.
• You are a good worker, although not necessarily a good boss -
your aggressive nature doesn't serve you well in management
positions. Because you are action orientated you are good at meeting
deadlines and getting the job done at the right time.
• You can be quite determined when you want something, but tend
to have a short attention span, moving on to the next best thing when
you quickly get bored with the previous one - you want it all and you
want it now!
• With a personality color red you may have an over active ego and
appear over confident with a super inflated sense of your own worth.
THE MEANING OF RED
AROUND THE GLOBE
Red’s global similarities are significant:
Red is one of the top two favorite colors of all people.
Red is the most popular color used on flags in the world. Approximately
77% of all flags include red.
Red is the international color for stop.

MEANING OF RED IN DIFFERENT

COUNTRIES:
• Red represents beauty in many languages and cultures, including
Russia.
• In Chinese culture, colors corresponded with the five primary
elements, the directions and the four seasons. Red was associated with
fire, south, and summer.
• In Japan, the color red is associated closely with a few deities in
Shinto and Buddhist traditions, so statues of these deities are often
decked in red clothing or painted red. Mark Schumacher has a page on
his site the goes into depth on the Color Red in Japanese Mythology.
• In Sweden, Falun red (red based on the pigment from the Falun
mine) was reserved for the privileged class.
• In China, red is associated with good luck and fortune.
• In Greece, Easter eggs are dyed red and the Greek expression
“piase kokkino” (“touch red”) is said when two people say the same
thing at the same time. It is believed that such an occurrence is an
omen that the two will have an argument in the future, which can only
be broken when the two touch the closest thing that is red.
• In Jamaica, a popular slang term for someone who is under the
influence or drunk is “red.”
• In England, red phone booths and red double decker buses are
national icons. Standard British pillar boxes (mail boxes) have been
painted red since 1874.
• In India, a red mark on the forehead is said to bring good luck.
• To the Hindu, red symbolizes joy, life, energy, and creativity.
• Islamic, Hindu, and Chinese brides traditionally wear red.
• Cochineal red, discovered by the Aztecs, was made using the
female cochineal beetle. A pound of water-soluble extract required
about a million insects. For the Aztecs, Indian red dye was considered
more valuable than gold! However, it was the Spaniards who
introduced the crimson color of Cochineal red to Europe in the 1500s.
• In Aztec culture, red was connected with blood.
• Red amulets were worn in many cultures to prolong life.
• In Singapore, the color red traditionally symbolizes joy.
• Chinese New Year is celebrated by wearing red clothing and
decorating the house with red. Red envelopes with “luck money” are
given to unmarried children to bring good fortune to them for the rest
of the year.
• Red symbolizes feast days of martyrs in the Catholic church.
• In Israel, kosher clothing stores banned the color red and sell only
loose-fitting apparel for women.
• The belief in the protective power of the color red can be traced
back to the old Chinese folklore of the Nian, a man-eating beast of
ancient China who used to feed on human flesh. Discovering that the
creature abhorred loud noises and the color red, the people made
liberal use of the color not only in their firecrackers, but also in home
decorations and clothing to protect themselves from the Nian.
 DESIGNING WITH
RED
All reds are not created equal. Aside from light and dark shades of
red, there are two kinds of red:

Yellow-based reds are “tomato” reds. Blue-based reds are “berry reds.”
Some say that males are more attracted to the tomato reds: females to
the berry reds.

Context is everything when using red. For example, when red is place
on a black background, it glows with an otherworldly fire; on a white
background, red appears somewhat duller; in contrast with orange, red
appears lifeless. Notice that the red square appears larger on black.
Regardless of how it is used in a design, a little bit of red goes a long
way.
HOW RED AFFECTS VISION:
Red captures attention. It is one of the most visible colors, second only
to yellow - which explains why it is used on fire engines and stop signs
to trigger alertness.

Red focuses behind the retina which forces the lens grows more convex
to pull it forward. Therefore, we perceive that red areas are moving
forward. This may explain why red captures attention.

Note: Eight percent of the male population has a red-green color vision
deficiency and cannot see red at all

HOW THE COLOR RED

AFFECTS US PHYSICALLY:
 Increases enthusiasm
 Stimulates energy and can increase the blood pressure,
respiration, heartbeat, and pulse rate
 Encourages action and confidence
 Provides a sense of protection from fears and anxiety

POLITICAL ASSOCIATIONS OF
RED:
 The color red represents the U.S. Republican Party and beginning
with the 2000 presidential election, states that favored the
Republican candidates began being referred to as “red states,”
while those that favored the Democratic candidates were referred
to as “blue states.”
 Red is the color most associated with the Soviet Union during
communist reign.
CHAKRA COLORS:

RED IS THE COLOR OF THE BASE OR ROOT CHAKRA

Red is the color for the base or root chakra. This chakra is located
at the base of the spine and allows us to be grounded and
connect to the universal energies. First chakra, base of the spine.
Groundedness, trust, belonging, lessens feelings of
mistrust. Gemstones that will aid the Root chakra include
lodestone, ruby, garnet, smokey quartz, obsidian, hematite and
onyx.
INTERESTING INFORMATION
ABOUT RED:
• Red is the highest arc of the rainbow.
• Red is the first color you lose sight of at twilight.
• The longest wavelength of light is red.
• In the financial arena, red symbolizes a negative direction.
• Eric the Red is the Norwegian Viking credited for colonizing
Greenland.He earned his nickname from his bright red hair and beard.
• Feng shui recommends painting the front door of a home red to
invite prosperity to the residents.
• Bees can’t see the color red, but they can see all other bright
colors. Red flowers are usually pollinated by birds, butterflies, bats, and
wind, rather than bees.
• Red is the color that means “severe” in the color-coded threat
system established by presidential order in March 2002. This system
quickly informs law enforcement agencies when intelligence indicates
a change in the terrorist threat facing the United States.

RED IN ATHLETICS AND SPORTS:

There are several American teams that use red as their primary color.
• Baseball teams include the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis
Cardinals.
• Basketball teams include the Chicago Bulls.
• Hockey teams include the Detroit Red Wings.
• Thanks to a reminder from reader D.A. I want to mention the
University of Nebraska Cornhuskers. Their team motto is “Go Big Red”,
their mascot is “Lil Red” and in her words “the stadium full of fans it is
known as ‘The sea of red’ as fans always wear red.” Go Huskers!
RED AS A SIGNATURE COLOR:
• Frank Lloyd Wright
• Bodacious Woman Mary Foley

RED AND GOOD CAUSES:

• American Red Cross
• American Heart Association
• The red ribbon is an international symbol of AIDS awareness.
• The Red Ribbon Campaign is a drug prevention program
• Product Red
• Leonard Cheshire International
• Girls, Inc.

RED IN THE GARDEN:

• Red is considered a warm color in landscape design. Its
appearance in the garden has an energetic effect.
• Red flowers and foliage give the illusion of coming forward in the
landscape, helping to make a large garden feel cozier.
• Red plants attract the eye and are a good choice for areas you
want to draw attention to.
• Red’s complimentary color in the garden is green.
• Write mystery into your garden plots by combining deep reds,
such as burgundy, maroon, and russet, with equally dark purple and
chocolate brown. Such sultry combinations create the illusion of depth
and hidden distances. –Better Homes and Garden
RED AND OUR SENSE OF TASTE:
Red fruits are flavorful and nutritious. Although not seen as frequently,
there are also red vegetables. A few of my favorite red foods are listed
below.
• The warm scent and flavor of baking apples is a sure sign that fall
is just around the corner.
• The fragrant, sweet juiciness and deep red color of strawberries
can brighten up both the taste and aesthetics of any meal; it is no
wonder they are the most popular berry fruit in the world.
• Fresh cranberries, which contain the highest levels of beneficial
nutrients, are at their peak from October through December, just in
time to add their festive hue, tart, tangy flavor, and numerous health
protective effects to your holiday meals.

RED AND OUR SENSE OF SMELL:

• “Gallica Roses come in crimsons, deep pinks, mauves, and stripes
and splashes. They are most often described as having Old Rose
fragrances, which can be intense and spicy.” — American Rose
Association
• AromaPod, a scented lifestyle tool, uses the color red with the
scent that provides energy.
• “Cherry” was the original scent of the red colored Magic Scents
Crayons from Binney & Smith Inc., introduced in 1994 with mostly food
scents. However, there were numerous reports that children were
eating the food-scented crayons, so the food scents were retired and
replaced with non-food scents. The scent for the color red became
“cedar chest.”

USES OF RED IN COLOUR

THERAPY:
Just looking at the color red by itself has been proven by researchers to
stimulate brain wave activity. For some people, it can even increase
the heart rate and elevate blood pressure. And a pulsating red light can
trigger convulsions in people suffering from epilepsy.
In fact, Red is so intense that people suffering from temporary
blindness due to a brain injury will begin to perceive red long before
they see any other colors.
RED-IN ENGLISH GRAMMAR:
• The term ‘red-blooded American’ is often used to indicate
patriotism.
• People who are called ‘red necks’ are considered ignorant and
crass.
• Being ‘in the red’ means being in debt and comes from
accountants using a red pen for negative figures.
• Being caught in ‘red tape’ means slowed down by unnecessary
details.
• If a criminal is caught ‘red handed’ it means the evidence is
obvious.
• A ‘red letter day’ is considered a fantastic and memorable event.
• To ‘paint the town red’ means to celebrate and have a party.
• Celebrity events often usher stars down a Red Carpet so giving
someone the ‘red carpet treatment’ means making someone feel
special.
• Taking the ‘red eye’ means flying overnight.
• Communism is sometimes called the ‘red menace’ in much of the
Western World.
• ‘Seeing red’ is commonly used to describe people who are
uncontrollably angry.
• The planet Mars is referred to as ‘the red planet’.

POPULAR PHRASES THAT INCLUDE

RED
• Red carpet treatment: giving privileged treatment to an
important person
• Caught red-handed: clearly guilty
• Red in the face: to become embarrassed
• Seeing red: to be angered
• Red flag: a warning of danger
• Not worth a red cent: having no value
• Red letter day: a memorable, joyful day
• Red tape: excessive formalities in governmental process
• In the red: a term to describe an economic loss

CONCLUSION
Red is the color of extremes. It’s the color of passionate love,
seduction, violence, danger, anger, and adventure. Our
prehistoric ancestors saw red as the color of fire and blood –
energy and primal life forces – and most of red’s symbolism today
arises from its powerful associations in the past.

Red is also a magical and religious color. It symbolized super-

human heroism to the Greeks and is the color of the Christian
crucifixion. Red was almost as rare and as expensive as purple in
ancient days – a fact that may explain its magic and power.
Paradoxically, today’s intense red dyes come from crushed insects
(the lac beetle and the cochineal)