The Colour Red

What is the meaning of the colour Red? What does it make you think of?

The Colour Red is the colour of extremes. It is a colour of fire and blood, associated with energy, war, danger, adventure, strength, power, determination as well as passion, want and love.

It is a positive and intense co

lour associated with most physical needs and our will to survive. It is energising, and the amount of red is directly related to the level of energy perceived. It excites the emotions and motives us to take action. It signifies a pioneering spirit and leadership qualities, promoting ambition and determination. It is strong-willed and can give confidence to those who are shy or lacking in will power.

Red brings text and images to the foreground. It’s used as an accent colour to stimulate people to make quick decisions. It’s he perfect colour for ‘Buy Now’ or ‘Click Here’ buttons on internet banners and websites. In advertising it is often used to stimulate deeper and more intimate passions in the readers. It is widely used to show danger, and is commonly associated with energy.

In Eastern cultures such as China red is the colour for good luck. Although times are changing and many Chinese brides now wear white, it is traditionally the colour for weddings. In Indian culture, it symbolises purity and is often used in their wedding gowns.

The symbolism of the colour red in History:

Red is supposedly the first colour perceived by man. It was the first colour after black and white.

Hunters considered red to the most important colour endowed with life-giving powers, and thus placed red ochre into graves of their deceased. The cave painters of these hunters ascribed magic powers to the colour red. It’s stipulated that they painted animals in red ochre or iron oxide to conjure their fertility.

The protective powers of the colour red against evil influence was a common belief, and painted objects, animals and trees was in the colour red. Warriors painted their axes and spear-catapults red, to endow the weapons with magic powers. Roman gladiators drank blood of they dying adversaries to take over their strength.

In other cultures, the newly born, had baths in blood, of particularly strong and good-looking animals. Red painted amulets or red gems, such as ruby or garnet, were charms used against the “evil eye”. Wearing a red ruby, supposedly brought about invincibility.

The Red rose is the symbol of love and fidelity. In Greek mythology red rose was a symbol for the cycle of growth and decay, but also for love and affinity. They dedicated Red Rose’s to Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and daughter of Zeus, as well as the Roman goddess of Venus. In Christianity, the Cross and the bloodshed is also associated with the Red Rose.

There are also negative connotations of this colour. Israelites in biblical times painted their door frame in red blood to scare demons. Red in ancient Egypt was the colour of the desert and of the destructive god Seth who impersonated the Evil.

The Colour 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.

The Effects of Red :

Stimulating – to the physical senses – the sexual and physical appetite. It stimulates the deeper passions within us, such as love, courage, hatred or 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. This is why we have red traffic lights and stop signs – it is the universal colour for danger.
Assertive and Aggressive – drivers of red cars should take note! Some studies show that people who drive red cars have felt quite aggressive behind the wheel of a red car.

Variations 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 advanced and serious and less energetic than true red. It indicates controlled power, determined ambition and dignified action and is often favoured by the wealthy.
Crimson – has a little blue in it. It indicates a determination to succeed but without upsetting anyone else. It emits sensuality and not 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.

Designing with Red :

As we all know, all reds are not created equal. Aside from light and dark shades of red, there are two kinds of red:

Tomato red and Berry red

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

3-red-squares

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.

Regardless of how it’s used in a design, a bit of red goes a long way…

Some Interesting Information about Red :

Red is the highest arc of the rainbow.
Red is the first colour you lose sight of at twilight.
Red is the longest wavelength of light.
In the financial area, red symbolises a negative direction.
Feng shui recommends painting the front door of a home red to invite prosperity to the residents.
Bees can’t see the colour red, but they can see all other bright colours. Red flowers are usually pollinated by birds, butterflies, bats and wind, and not bees.
Red is the colour that means “severe” in the colour-coded threat system.

Red is one of the top two favourite colours of all people. If red is your favourite colour, it will show in your personality!

“Of all the hues, reds have the most potency. If there is one electric blue, a dozen reds are so charged. Use them to punctuate white, burn into bronzes, or dynamite black.” – Jack Lenor Larsen

Red is our favourite colour, it the colour of our company and it represents what we want to meet:

Strength, Determination, Devotion and Passion ….