Red color is one of the brightest, most catchy colors. For many, it is associated with the color of blood, aggression, for others it is the color of the heart, which means love, but for Soviet people, for many years this color symbolized a holiday, a day off, a “red” calendar day. Let's look at what red means for representatives of different nations.
Associations with red
In primitive people
For primitive people, red was the color of life and resurrection. They sprinkled the faces of a deceased relative with blood or sprinkled with iron oxide powder in order to bring him back to life. This was probably done so that the face of the deceased again acquired a warm, pink color.
For Russians
In our native Russian language, the words "red" and "beautiful" are cognate. In Old Russian, the word “red” was often used instead of “beautiful”. Everyone knows the expression “red maiden”, that is, a beautiful girl, or the main square of our country is not named so because she is red, but because she is beautiful, therefore, for Russians, red symbolizes beauty.
For the ancient Egyptians
In Egypt, the cradle of history, red was associated with violence. It was the color of the evil god Seth and the snake Apophis. Their names on papyrus were written in this particular color, which they made of orange-red flowers of sunflower.
For the ancient Romans
Among the ancient Romans, red was considered a symbol of war and victory, since this is the color of the god of war Mars. By the way, the planet Mars is still also called the Red Planet. So, after the victory over the enemy, the ancient Roman generals painted their faces with paint obtained from the “purple snail” - a sea mollusk. In addition, red in Rome symbolized power, so Caesars wore togas of purple.
In Great Britain
In the United Kingdom navy since the 17th century, the red color of the military flag symbolized a "challenge to battle." Seeing the red flag hoisted on British ships, foreign ships realized that the British were going to attack them, and took the necessary protective measures. This is probably another association with the war god Mars.
In China
But among the ancient Chinese, it was customary to call “red-faced” those who worked diligently in their conjugal duties or were known for many sexual relationships. They were foretold early death. At the same time in the Middle Kingdom, red color symbolizes wealth. At the highest ranks and the rich, the gates were painted red. The rich also liked to wear clothes of all shades of this color.
Red is a symbol of love
Whatever the meaning of “carmine” in different nations, nevertheless, in most people, red color symbolizes love. After all, we all, regardless of nationality, draw a heart - a sign of love - and paint it in red. Well, of course, with the exception of environmental organizations that color the heart green. In the countries of the Far East, for example, in India, red is the color of the wedding: the bride puts on a red sari, wedding attributes of red shades are used , etc.
Red: characteristic and religious significance
Surprisingly, red in the Christian religion has several completely opposite meanings:
- Divine love.
- Mercy.
- Blood of Christ.
- The fire of faith.
- Violence.
- Carnal love, passion.
- Fiery hell is the wrath of God.
- The color of Satan.
In Catholicism, red symbolizes power. Therefore, the attire of the highest church dignitaries - cardinals - is red. And the garment of this color by John the Evangelist is a call to action.
Conclusion
This bright color has always attracted the attention of people from prehistoric times. At different times and for different peoples, it sometimes had completely opposite meanings. Nevertheless, it has an exciting effect on everyone, promotes an increase in appetite, fights with spleen and apathy, therefore, it is a very active color that induces action.