Red is the most striking color in the color scheme. It’s not for nothing that all warning signs and signals are highlighted in red – it is always noticed. In nature, red speaks of danger, but what else can red say? We will try to reveal the meaning, symbolism and psychology of red and its shades in this article.
What does the color red mean?
During the existence of mankind, the color red has been used in various cults, religious and everyday rituals. Gradually it acquired a certain cultural and philosophical significance. The symbolism of the color red is rich and contradictory:
- Wisdom and power;
- Joy and wealth;
- Fire and heat;
- Blood;
- Energy and masculinity;
- Carnal desires;
- Love and beauty;
- Passion and sexuality;
- Aggressiveness;
- Enmity, war, revenge;
- Strength, determination;
- Endurance and immunity;
- Anxiety;
- Self-confidence and self-realization;
- Fear;
- Sinfulness;
- Life energy.
Significance in world culture and mythology
- Purple is the color of the Caesars' toga in Ancient Rome.
- In Sparta, warriors wore red clothes when going into battle.
- Ancient Roman commanders, having won a victory, painted their faces red in honor of the god of war, Mars.
- In ancient Egypt, red belonged to the god of evil Sutekh.
- In Christianity, the color scarlet represents the blood of Christ and the Holy Spirit.
- The color of the robe of kings in the European tradition is purple.
- In African countries, kings and leaders passed the death sentence only in red, this was the color of the rulers.
- Neanderthals painted the body of the deceased red, which symbolized life after death.
- In China, a frank person is described as having a “red heart.”
- In Eastern cultures, participants in the wedding ceremony dressed in red.
Meaning in heraldry
Among the crusaders, the red color on coats of arms and banners denoted love for God and readiness for battle.
In the European tradition, the color red means power, strength, war, right, bravery, courage.
Red also symbolizes rebellion, the struggle for independence, revolution.
The Victory Banner over the Reichstag was red
Psychology of color
Each person has preferences in choosing colors for their clothes and their home. And over time, these preferences change. It is believed that what makes a color attractive is its symbolism: if you want to look at red all the time, it means that there are not enough overwhelming emotions associated with this color in your life. If the color red suddenly begins to irritate, then a period in life has come when you should “recharge” with calm energy.
Who loves?
What can you say about a person if his favorite color is red? Fans of the color red and its shades are strong, energetic, passionate, impulsive people. Just as red crowns the spectrum, so its lovers strive for leadership. "Red" people constantly compete and win.
Red is the most powerful color in the palette
The main words that can be used to describe red lovers are “I want” and “I can”. They are very purposeful and optimistic by nature.
By nature, fans of red are mostly extroverted, eager to live and enjoy life. Red color is often chosen by maximalists.
There is also the other side of the coin: often red lovers are aggressive and intolerant, their behavior is characterized by stubbornness and self-confidence. Such people hate advice; their actions often border on recklessness.
Who doesn't love it?
Dislike of the color red may mean a desire for peace. Red is the color of strong emotions; its aggressiveness and pressure repel people with a weak or unstable psyche, suffering from an inferiority complex. Also, the color red causes rejection in people who are tired or in an irritated state.
Scarlet, crimson, cherry...
The perception of color depends on the time of day, lighting, structural features of the eyes and nervous system of each person. There are many shades of red, which also have certain symbolism.
Who wears red?
“Doubt what to wear? Wear red!
Bill Blass, couturier
If a woman chooses red in her clothes, it means that she is not afraid to attract attention and feels relaxed and confident. The red color in a man’s clothing speaks of his determination, authority and belligerence.
Red goes with almost any color, the main thing is to choose the shades and not depend on other people’s opinions when choosing an outfit. The most popular combinations of red with neutral colors: white, gray and black. Red goes well with related colors: lilac, burgundy, pink. Even the combination of red and green, condemned for its vulgarity, looks very modern today.
When combining red with other colors, the main thing is to choose the right shades and proportions
"Bloody" interior
Red color can create an atmosphere of comfort and warmth in the interior. Red color makes the room temperature several degrees higher. However, you should not overdo it with color in your home interior, because prolonged contemplation of red can lead to irritability and aggression.
Too much red in the interior causes fatigue and irritability
Small red details can add sophistication to the interior
It is not recommended to decorate office interiors in shades of red. In the first minutes, red color increases performance, but after 20 minutes of adaptation it increases fatigue and leads to conflicts.
Red color is widely used in catering establishments, as its energy helps increase appetite, but at the same time prevents customers from sitting at the table for a long time.
Invigorating or tiring? Physiology and color therapy
Red color promotes the production of adrenaline and speeds up the functioning of the endocrine glands. Shades of red cause increased heart rate and rapid breathing, and can cause increased blood pressure.
Red color can make muscles more elastic and joints more mobile.
Red is the ideal color for decorating fitness centers
With the help of the stimulating effect that red color has on the nervous system, you can fight depression, melancholy and neurasthenia. The main thing here is not to overdo it with color therapy.
Also, with the help of red color, childhood anemia is treated, as it has the property of stimulating appetite.
In alternative medicine, treatment with red color has long been a practice. For example, in ancient China, in order to get rid of traces of smallpox, they wore clothes made of scarlet silk and basked in the sun's rays.
In Kabbalistic beliefs, it is common to wear a red thread on the left wrist to protect against the evil eye.
Red thread talisman bracelet on celebrity wrists
In VAyurveda, the color red symbolizes vitality, so patients are placed on red sheets. Traditional healers advise wrapping a red thread around a bruise so that the pain subsides and healing proceeds faster.
To cure stye, you need to tie a red thread in the shape of a figure eight on the ring and middle fingers. If the stye is on the right eye, the hand should be on the left and vice versa.
Fiery color – fiery relationships
The color red is always associated with love, sexuality, feelings and relationships, as well as the origin of life.
Red lingerie makes a woman irresistible
Red is the color of eroticism, passion and sex. Red clothing attracts men's gaze to a woman, and fiery red underwear excites and encourages intercourse.
Video - an incredibly beautiful song about a woman in red
In China and Japan, there is a belief about the red thread of fate: a woman and a man are connected to each other by it. The red thread is invisible, it gradually shrinks until fate brings together two people destined for each other.
Everyday life in red
Any person, regardless of how he feels about the color red, constantly encounters it in his daily life. It is they who are allocated holidays on the calendar, it is under the red traffic light that we stand waiting for a clear path, in each apartment there is a tap with hot water and a red mark on it, and a good half of the vegetables, fruits and berries that we eat are red.
Red is a warm natural color that has acquired a special symbolism for humans. You can love him or not love him, but ignoring him or not noticing him simply won’t work.
Red is often found in the wardrobe of many ladies. This may not always be associated with fashion trends, or with some fashionable preconditions. This range determines a woman’s behavior and reveals the secrets of her psychology. What does the choice of red say? This is deciphered simply.
Filling with strength, energy, passion...
Red is one of the strongest and warmest, most people who use it awaken positive emotions associated with comfort or joy - this is psychology. For some, it may be considered aggressive and annoying, flashing too often. This largely depends on the emotional state of the person. Women choose red to attract male attention. The shade is considered a symbol of passion, brightness, awakening, life, rock. The presence of a red tint in a girl’s clothes gives incentive, strength, and brightness to the image. Based on psychology, it is advised to wear red for those who have problems with their intimate life.
Who chooses red for themselves subconsciously? Lady choosing this color for herself:
· positive and interesting;
· constantly enjoys life;
· spends every second in motion and with benefit.
A woman who chooses red is a strong and freedom-loving person who plays by her own rules and dictates them to other people. This can be understood by comparing him with others. It has quite a big difference and surprisingly combines softness and strength at the same time.
Which ladies would avoid the color red?
In most cases, those ladies who have opposite character traits from the psychology of bright personalities, leaders and ringleaders refuse to wear red.
How to understand that a girl will refuse red in her wardrobe?
· she is not too sociable and inconspicuous;
· likes to spend a minimum of time in company;
· prefers calm music, a quiet book to bright walks and new sensations.
Introvert is the best synonym for such a person. In most cases, red will literally irritate her. Refusal to use shade in clothing or wardrobe is also used by those who are psychologically exhausted, or are quite weak physically. Not drawing attention to one's specialness is the credo of such people.
A dull lady will “give away” herself by the lack of bright color both in her wardrobe and in her accessories. Objects around you in everyday life will not have a bright red tint. She will subconsciously show others that she loves privacy and avoids crowds. Bright, active, charismatic, memorable - these are not the words that will describe her, so this shade cannot be found in clothes and appearance.
Red in the wardrobe. To wear or avoid?
Many girls do not ask this question, because they intuitively determine whether brightness suits the name 
in character or not. It happens that many people like this color, but women do not risk using it in clothes. This may be connected to certain points in psychology, or to the color type of a girl or woman. A psychologist will say that if there are a lot of things in your closet that are red or its shades, then you can be classified as an energetic, impulsive lady who does not like to sit still. Red can also indicate aggression, which is in your character by clothing. His lovers are leaders in life and will easily defend their opinions. And not always such young ladies will be able to treat people who do not support their point of view with reverence and warmth, so in psychology this color will be contradictory.
1. The color will look great on girls choosing cocktail or evening dresses.
2. To add brightness to the image, you can choose a red blouse or a jacket of this shade.
3. It is important to measure the brightness of the light and its quantity, so as not to seem like a tasteless person.
4. A good option would be to use calm tones in your wardrobe, but focus your attention on a red strap, handbag, scarf, or shoes. This will tell you that you are truly a temperamental and bright woman, but do not boast about it, but simply beautifully emphasize this trait of your character.
5. Red is more of a color for going out, but not for everyday use in business suits and casual clothes.
6. It’s good to use this color outside of work, for going to a cafe, restaurant, disco, nightclub.
Girls who prefer red should remember that this color in clothing should also have its limits. If we are talking about choosing a wardrobe for work or serious events, then your favorite red should be avoided. Not on purpose, but subconsciously, he can cause irritation or even aggression from others. Some people cannot even stand strict business clothes of this color.
In most cases, you should wear calm dark or pastel shades for a rather serious event. Then the attention of the audience will be focused on you, and the attitude will be completely different. Only the scarf or the bandage around the neck will be red. So it’s worth paying attention to yourself.
This color activates the energy centers responsible for the home, values in vitality, family, and security. Its shades easily activate the energy of the lower centers. Scarlet color is worn by girls who want to attract love into their lives. It is also beneficial to wear red underwear for women who want to become pregnant. The most important thing is that the underwear does not tighten, as it blocks energy. This color can easily attract energy and promote pre-conception.
What can the color red say in a woman’s clothing?
It is easy to distinguish whether the color characterizes a woman, or whether it is a feigned phenomenon that does not speak about her psychology. Rarely will the appearance consist only of red. If you come across just such an option, and the lady is dressed in bright, tasteless clothes - this is the created image. Red will not characterize her as a person - she just wanted change. This wardrobe is about to change.
If a woman’s appearance combines different things and accessories of red color, we can say that she is an adherent of a bright image, and can describe her character in this way. You should be careful with the color red so as not to lose the fine line between elegance and bad taste.
Different shades of red can be chosen for girls of different color types, but I don’t know that ladies can avoid accents in their image.
Whether or not to talk about the brightness and charisma of her person is up to each girl to decide separately. Using red is a simple and effective solution to the problem.
Today you can hear women discussing their outfits at evenings - what color they are wearing. It suits someone's eyes, makes someone look slim, and makes someone look fat. Remember the romances of chivalry, they describe in great detail the coats of arms of barons and dukes, and what colors were done. Colors indicate social status, nationality, wealth, merit. They especially love the color red or purple, it signified royalty. What does the color red symbolize in Russia? We have red flags for the holiday, red lines and calendar days.
In some nations, you can determine a person’s caste by the colors in their clothes; personal growth trainers claim that subconsciously we ourselves determine our caste affiliation and choose clothes based on it.
What does red mean?
In Russia you can find thousands of interpretations. Through the red color on stage they show passion and energy, signifying young active people who know how to earn money. A girl in a red dress automatically attracts attention and is expected to have energy and a hot character.
Red means a holiday, because it’s not for nothing that we have Our ancestors used the words red and beautiful as synonyms, remember the expressions “red is the sun”, “red is the maiden”. This color also symbolizes love, because what color are heart-shaped cards for Valentine's Day? That's right - red! And, as a rule, red roses are given to the beloved!
Flag of Russia
Everyone saw it, even those who live in another country. Among the colors there is red. Colors are interpreted differently. There are various jokes that the name of the legendary KGB organization is encrypted in the colors - red, blue, white. These colors are not officially interpreted anywhere. But there are at least three established opinions. According to the first, red means the sovereignty of our Fatherland, white means freedom and independence, and blue is the color of the Mother of God. According to the second opinion, the colors of the flag signify the unity of the three branches of one people. Red means Great Russia, blue means Little Russia and white means Belarus. According to the third opinion, red is, again, energy, the power of the state and the blood that was shed in numerous wars.
Color symbols are sometimes surprising. Previously, red was the color of kings, and in the twentieth century it became the color of revolution, freedom and blood. Remember the flag of the October Revolution, it is red, and blood flowed like a river for this flag. Again, I remember the joke where Chapaev put on a red shirt so that in battle the blood would not be visible on him.
Guard
What the color red means in Russia in the army can be said unequivocally - blood. Some military units have such an award as the guards flag. It is red and means the blood and life of the soldiers of this unit, who carried out their task to the end. If you read the history of the Great Patriotic War, then the banner of the guard was received not by units, but by their remnants after heavy battles, breaking out of encirclement, and containing the enemy.
You already understand what the color red means for a military man. A conscript, having found himself in a guards unit, realizes that something is wrong here. Officers, contract soldiers and some conscripts wear a small red flag on their chest; the Marines also have it on their beret. Such troops are very proud of their history, and the newcomer begins to respect the armed forces and strives to gain the right to also wear a red flag on his chest. There were exceptions in history when the banner of the guard was given to a newly formed unit, but mostly these were tank formations from new modern vehicles, they quickly found themselves on the battlefield, and tankers did not long remain in debt for such an award.
Red color in the armies of other countries
Nowadays they are used only in dress uniforms, while in field uniforms everything matches the tone of the area. The symbols of this color for the military are clear - again blood and the decision to go to the end. The warriors of Carthage put on purple clothes before the battle; this did not save them from the omnipresent Rome, but it added glory. The Spartans wore red cloaks, and they are still remembered that way (for example, the film about the 300 Spartans, where they hold the defense of Thermopylae and then fight the Persians at sea). China also loves this color and they have units called red warriors, red dragons, etc.
As a result
What does the color red symbolize in Russia? Yes, the same as all over the world, except for the flowers of royalty. Perhaps the reason is that we haven’t had kings for a long time, and presidents prefer dark-colored jackets. It is clear that this is the color of energy and life, and then there are divisions into the energy of celebration, joy, beauty and rage, strength and blood shed by someone.
If you use scarlet color in your clothes, don’t be surprised that people turn around, especially if you are a girl. Although red lanterns are officially banned in Russia, everyone knows what they mean. No matter what psychologists say, the color red causes more than just irritation.
It is believed that his favorite color can tell a lot about a person, for example, it is possible to learn about character traits, mood and preferences. The existing characteristics were compiled by professionals in this field, and the results were tested more than once on different people. The color red symbolizes passion, strength and energy.
What does red mean?
It is believed that people who prefer the color red in their lives stand out for their courage and will. They have a lot of energy and are also sociable, but also quick-tempered.
What does red mean in psychology:
- Men who prefer this color are passionate and ardent lovers. They are proactive and often show their activity. Such men are true leaders.
- Women who love all shades of red are very temperamental. It is worth noting their frivolity and dislike of constancy. Among these ladies there are many capricious hysterics. Red lovers want others to worship them.
- If a person is irritated by the color red, it means he has a lot of complexes. It is easiest for him to be alone, avoiding conflicts and various quarrels.
- Understanding what the color red in clothes means, it is worth saying that people who prefer such clothing are self-sufficient and sometimes selfish. They don't care at all about the opinions of others.
- Psychologists say that the color red symbolizes fire and emotional explosion, so it is not recommended for people with unstable psyches to use it, as this can lead to inexplicable outbursts of anger.
- Negative traits of red lovers include toughness and a tendency to physical violence. That is why experts do not recommend getting carried away with one color, so that other calmer shades create harmony.
Now let's talk about the effect of red on health. It has been proven that it promotes nervous excitement and provokes active actions. The red color helps increase the body's stamina and reaction. If a person comes into frequent contact with the color red for a long time, fatigue may occur. In color therapy, the color red is used to treat depression and also helps reduce pain.
Many parents wonder what it means when children love the color red. If your child prefers this particular color, then he is definitely hyperactive. It is worth noting that the child must have a good appetite and mood.
What does the color red mean in Orthodoxy?
The color red symbolizes love for God and man. In Orthodoxy, it is associated with the blood that Jesus shed for the salvation of mankind, and also with the loss of martyrs who have ever suffered from the Orthodox faith. When priests dress in red, it is associated with a holiday. Priests wear such clothes on the day of the Resurrection of Christ and for 40 days after the celebration. Other such vestments may be 
associated with the days of remembrance of the holy martyrs.
What does the color red mean among shamans and in magic?
The color red is a symbol of powerful energy and different forces. They use it to perform rituals that are aimed at attracting the power of the Gods or punishing injustice. Red candles are used in rituals that help achieve one's goals, but only if they have good intentions. They are also indispensable attributes in love magic, so if you want to make an amulet to attract your soulmate, be sure to use red objects for this. Shamans and other practitioners of magic recommend lighting red candles on Tuesdays.
Red- the color of everything mystical, mysterious, otherworldly. Red has long been considered the color of wisdom and power. Among the ancient Jews it was the royal color; in Orthodoxy it symbolized divine manifestation. In ancient Rome, Caesars wore purple togas.
In astrology red color corresponds to the sign of Mars.
Since ancient times, people have shown a special passion for the color red. In many languages, the same word means the color red and, in general, everything beautiful and wonderful. In Russian: red square - a beautiful square; folklore images: a red maiden, a red sun. Among the Polynesians, the word "red" is synonymous with the word "beloved." In China, a sincere, frank person is said to have a “red heart,” while the heart of a bad, treacherous person is black.
The color red is primarily associated with blood and fire.. Its symbolic meanings are very diverse and contradictory. Red symbolizes joy, beauty, love and fullness of life, and on the other hand, enmity, revenge, war, and is associated with aggressiveness and carnal desires.
For many peoples, the color red symbolizes the south, flame and heat. In Asian cultures, the south was usually associated with the color red, the north with black, the west with white, and the east with yellow or blue.
Red is considered a masculine color, symbolizing Yang energy. This is the color of life. At the same time, it symbolizes activity and energy, dynamism and strength, strength and determination, as well as love, passion, and anger.
Red combined with white is associated with purity and harmony. Red and green should not be together.
From mythology it is known that Venus (green) was the wife of Mars (red) and gave birth to Phobos (fear) and Demos (horror). The color red in a person's aura means anger, passion or lust.. It corresponds to the most difficult road of life - the road of love and anger.
This color is too contradictory, and quite illogical.
Thus, the Day of Judgment is colored red in Judaism. But at the same time, red decorates the roofs of the first Jewish temples, the clothes of the high priests, and much more.
All this, and perhaps the fact that red is dedicated in Christianity to the Holy Spirit, make it possible to understand the association of red with the Passion of the Lord. With the blood of Jesus Christ shed for the salvation of mankind.
Tantrism associates the red energy center with increased vital energy and increased immunity or endurance.
And Kabbalah endows the red sun god with severity and inflexibility.
Red is the main heraldic color. On banners it symbolizes rebellion, revolution, struggle, independence. It is interesting that among many tribes in Africa, America and Australia, warriors, preparing for battle, painted their bodies and faces red. The Carthaginians and Spartans wore red clothing during war. In ancient China, rebels called themselves "red warriors", "red spears", "red eyebrows".
Healing properties and the ability to resist the evil eye and witchcraft were also attributed to the color red. Red threads, Easter eggs, fabrics, corals, flowers and plants help against evil spirits and the evil eye. The Chinese tied something red to children's hands, teaching them to look at this color as the best protection against evil spirits. In many countries, women tie red thread around their hands to prevent pain and to prevent the evil eye.
Since the color red is associated with the active male principle, with blood, with fire, associations arise with love, sexual arousal, passion, etc.
Let us remember that men consider red to be their favorite color more often than women. Although it excites both sexes equally. Excitation is purely male - physical, muscular.
The color red often causes excitement and anxiety. Increases nervous tension. By increasing the level of anxiety, red makes you pay more attention to the world around you.
Due to the stimulation of the nervous system, red initially causes a sharp increase in performance. For example, labor productivity increases by 26% after just 10 minutes. The “counting numbers” reaction speeds up...
However, when adapting to the color red, the number of correctly solved problems decreases by 20%, and labor productivity by 34% (after 20 minutes of adaptation). Color fatigue appears, leading to a further decrease in performance.
Psychologists have noted that wearing red glasses by an athlete increases his endurance. Reveals the combative wrestling determination in his character.
Red is more typical for the tastes of young people. If before the age of 20 it is often placed in 1st place, and by the age of 30 - somewhat less frequently, then by the age of 60 red is already somewhere in the middle of the color preference range.
The presence of red color in the room where food is eaten promotes appetite. This color is stimulating to sexual instincts. The color red has an analgesic effect on the nervous system, treats hypertension (the first stage of neurasthenia), activates dystrophies, and regulates digestion. For this reason, athletes are recommended to wear red glasses before important competitions.
Even in the Middle Ages, people knew that smallpox and scarlet fever were more easily tolerated if the patient lay on red sheets. The color red helps a person undress without feeling chills during a medical examination. Those in a pre-infarction state put first place the color red-orange, symbolizing mobility, as well as blue-green, symbolizing willpower. Overweight people, on the contrary, do not like red and orange colors: they prefer blue - the color of peace. In psychiatry, silent psychosis is treated with red.
As an aphrodisiac, red is very effective in treating depression, depression and melancholy.
Having a significant ability to penetrate the skin, it has an analgesic effect on the nervous system. It is most effective in treating hyperesthesia as the basis of most symptoms of neurasthenia. In this case, headaches, dizziness, as well as pain in the spine, etc. often go away.
Red colors are often successfully used to treat childhood anemia and apathy: the number of red blood cells in the blood increases, physical activity increases, digestion improves, the child’s appetite and weight increase.
