The color red, omnipresent in our lives

One of the three primary colors, red is more than just present in the world around us. Unlike other colors that may not have a direct equivalent depending on the language, red, after black and white, is the most universal. As popular as it is, this color carries a particular significance, both in the past and in the present. Let’s explore together what red expresses and the importance this color holds in various fields.

Definition of the color red.

In scientific terms, the color red is a chromatic field on the color wheel. This chromatic field lies between vermilion and purple.

When combined with the other two primary colors, yellow or blue, in varying amounts, red allows for the creation of secondary and tertiary colors that surround it on the color wheel, from gold to indigo. If we add white and black to the color wheel, we then obtain an even greater variety of red and its derivatives.

How is the color red created?

Depending on the field in question, there are different ways to achieve the color red.

Red in Painting

Being a primary color, in the traditional context of painting, the color red cannot be created by mixing other colors.

However, if we look at the subtractive color theory (used in printing), the primary colors are cyan, magenta, and yellow. As mentioned earlier, magenta is obtained by mixing red and blue. If yellow is gradually added to magenta, the result will slowly approach the original color of red. By analogy, since yellow is behind red and magenta is in front, adding yellow pushes the magenta back, allowing it to return to red.

Red in Light (Additive Synthesis)

For painting, we discussed the subtractive color theory. For light, the additive color theory is used. In this theory, red is also one of the primary colors, along with green and blue. This theory is also applied in computing, specifically with the use of RGB color codes (red, green, and blue).

Since red is a primary color, it can be achieved by setting the red component to full intensity, which is 255, while green and blue are set to zero.

Red in Printing (Subtractive Synthesis)

As we mentioned earlier with painting, there is the subtractive color theory, which uses cyan, magenta, and yellow (CMY). To achieve red, you need to combine magenta and yellow.

Red in Pigments (Textiles, Cosmetics, etc.)

Pigments are widely used, whether in textiles, cosmetics, or, of course, in paints and inks. These pigments can be either natural or synthetic.

Natural Pigments

Carmine (Carminic Acid) This product is derived from cochineal, a large family of parasitic insects. Although it was also used as a remedy until the 18th century, it has primarily been used for centuries to dye textiles, as well as in cosmetics such as lipsticks and blushes. Its color is a deep red, also known as scarlet red.

Madder Red (Alizarin) This dye is extracted from the madder plant, a member of the Rubiaceae family. Commonly referred to as madder or dyer’s red, it owes its vibrant and durable red color to the alizarin found in its roots. This pigment was notably used for the French army’s infantry uniforms until the beginning of World War I. While it was primarily used for textiles, it has largely been replaced by synthetic pigments today.

Pigments synthétiques

Cadmium Pigments (Cadmium Red)
Cadmium red is made from cadmium sulfoselenide. It differs from cadmium yellow due to the addition of selenium. Although it is used in paints and textiles, its use in cosmetics is limited due to its toxicity. This pigment provides a range of bright, vibrant, and durable red colors.

Quinacridone Red
Quinacridone pigments are synthetic organic pigments. Their colors range from red-orange to red-violet. Quinacridone red is widely used in paints and inks, as well as in textiles and cosmetics. Its color is intense, and due to the pigment’s transparency, variations in its shade depend on its density and the thickness of application. It is also highly stable under light exposure.

Iron Oxide Red
As its name suggests, iron oxide is a chemical compound resulting from the combination of oxygen and iron. Its use dates back to the Paleolithic era and has continued ever since. While it was once used in painting, it is now commonly found in cosmetics, such as lipsticks and eyeshadows, as well as in textile dyes. Iron oxide provides a wide range of red shades and is non-toxic to humans.

The Symbolism and History of the Color Red

Red is known as a color that is both rich and symbolic, embodying strength and ambiguity. The history of the color red and the varied perceptions of its meaning across different cultures make it a particularly fascinating subject. Let’s journey through its history together.

Antiquity

In ancient Egypt, the color red represented negative aspects of life. It was closely associated with Seth, the god of chaos, storms, and violence, as well as with the desert. The desert was referred to as the “Red Land” (Deshret, with “desher” meaning red in Egyptian). It symbolized sterility, death, and danger. For the Egyptians, red was also a symbol of evil and misfortune, particularly through its connection to destructive fire and malevolent forces. This is why certain red amulets and objects were used to ward off these forces.

However, despite its association with negative aspects of life, red also conveyed positive meanings. As mentioned earlier, red objects were seen as protective against evil. Additionally, red symbolized life and vitality due to its association with the color of blood, which is essential for life. This color was also worn during sacred ceremonies and various celebrations.

In both ancient Greece and Rome, the color red held a rich and varied symbolism, most often associated with war, strength, power, and deities. In ancient Greece, red represented certain gods like Ares, the god of war, as well as sacrifice and the blood associated with ritual sacrifices to their gods. In ancient Rome, the color red similarly evoked religious sacrifices, but it was also a symbol of power and authority. It was considered an imperial color, reserved for emperors and generals.

Asia: Imperial China

We know Imperial China for its red lanterns, the Forbidden City made of red and gold, and its traditional red garments. So, what significance does the color red hold for Imperial China?

One of the most important associations is with happiness and luck. The color red holds significant symbolism for bringing happiness, joy, prosperity, and good fortune. A custom that began under the Qin dynasty is the giving of red envelopes filled with money, known as hóng bāo. Seen as a way to ward off evil spirits, these envelopes symbolized protection and luck, while the money inside represented wishes for prosperity and success from the giver to the recipient. This red color is prominently featured during Chinese New Year, weddings, and births.

Red is also associated with the emperor and the imperial family, symbolizing power and supreme authority, as well as imperial prestige. Indeed, the garments and objects worn by the emperor were often adorned with red, as were the palaces and official imperial buildings.

Belief in evil spirits was significant, and the color red was also considered a barrier against malevolent forces and harmful spirits. This is why the famous lanterns, often hung in the streets or in front of doors, were red. These lanterns were meant to ward off harmful spirits. Additionally, festivities and celebrations were often accompanied by red fireworks and firecrackers to drive away evil spirits.

Medieval Europe and Beyond

In medieval Europe, and even in the centuries that followed, red was a color with many facets. It was rich in symbolism and carried varied meanings. Whether representing the sacred and the profane, nobility and danger, courage and passion, red continually reflected an ambiguity between good and evil. Does red still reflect this duality in modern times as well?

The Color Red in the Present

We have seen that red held a particular significance in the past, with meanings that varied widely depending on the culture. Today, although its symbolism remains somewhat ambiguous, we have arrived at a more universal symbolism for the color red.

Love and Passion

Red is universally associated with love, passion, and romance. Often symbolized by a red heart, it evokes strong emotions and intense relationships. During celebrations like Valentine’s Day, red is ubiquitous in decorations, cards, and gifts to express love. In fashion, red is used to attract and seduce, with red clothing being perceived as more provocative and alluring.

Danger and Warning

Used as a universal alert color, red signals danger, prohibitions, and emergencies. It is found in stop signs, traffic lights (red for “stop”), and alarm signals. In health warnings, red indicates hazardous areas or substances and alerts people to health risks. Its ability to draw attention and prompt vigilance makes it a crucial color.

Power and Authority

Historically, red has been worn by kings, emperors, and dignitaries to symbolize power, authority, and prestige. In some judicial systems, judges wear red robes to represent justice and authority. Red is perceived as a color of power and confidence, often used in professional environments to signify leadership and ambition.

Red is universal for everyone

Red, as a universal color, possesses a rich and varied symbolism, touching many aspects of the human experience. It represents both life and death, love and hate, peace and war, power and vulnerability. It should be noted that this symbolism is also shared by animals.

Among birds, red is a symbol of seduction: the more intensely colored the beak or plumage of certain species, the stronger the attraction for females. The color red is also associated with danger: most highly venomous species of insects or frogs have touches of red on their bodies. Birds thus take care to avoid these. As a result, this allows these more fragile prey to deceive their predators and be protected. This shows that all living beings have a similar response to the color red.

Psychological and Physiological Effects of the Color Red

Given that the color red has a particular symbolism for human beings, it goes without saying that this color has a certain impact on the brain. Let’s look together at what these impacts are.

Psychological effects

It is notable that the color red can be energizing and stimulating. Indeed, it can increase the level of excitement, but also of vigilance. This is why we find red on traffic signs that require reaction and vigilance, or on traffic lights. This color quickly attracts the human eye, and its meaning symbolizes danger in this context.
In terms of stimulation, the color red is also used to provoke motivation and excitement. For example, it is often present in marketing contexts, to encourage people to come quickly, such as during sales or to signal promotions.

The color red also evokes intense emotions, the two main ones being love and anger. As we’ve seen earlier, red is associated with love, passion, and even desire. This is why, in romantic contexts, this color is more often used to express intense feelings due to its link with the feeling of love.

However, red also expresses anger, aggression, and violence. Whether it’s for animated films, comics, or various media, red is the predominant color when it comes to violent acts or anger, to make this powerful emotion feel more strongly.

While it has been the case in the past, in our time, the color red is also used to express power in a certain way. Studies have shown that individuals wearing red, such as judges, are often perceived as having more power and dominance. This is also evident in sports, where athletes dressed in red seem to be even more competitive.

Psychological effects

Indeed, red can specifically increase your heart rate and blood pressure by stimulating your sympathetic nervous system.

The color red can also influence metabolism. If you didn’t know, red is known to stimulate appetite, which explains its frequent use in restaurants and food chain logos. There is also evidence suggesting that this color can enhance physical performance, particularly in terms of alertness and endurance, as you might expect. This is why red can also affect vision, strongly attracting attention and potentially improving the ability to detect fine details.

Practical Applications of the Color Red

Red has the ability to influence metabolism. It’s a known fact that red stimulates appetite, hence its widespread use in restaurants and food chain logos. Additionally, there’s evidence suggesting that red can boost physical performance, specifically vigilance and endurance. This is likely due to its impact on vision, as red strongly attracts attention and can enhance the perception of fine details.

Marketing and Advertising

Red is ubiquitous in marketing and advertising due to its ability to grab attention and evoke strong emotional responses. As we mentioned earlier, this is particularly true for the restaurant industry and food chain logos, where red is used to trigger appetite, as well as for promotions and sales, where it creates a sense of excitement. Numerous strategies can be implemented using the color red to influence consumer behavior and drive engagement.

Call to Action

Call-to-action (CTA) buttons on websites and apps frequently use red to prompt users to click. This color heightens the sense of urgency and encourages immediate interaction, which can lead to improved conversion rates.

Branding

Many brands use red in their logos and visual identities to convey values of dynamism, energy, and passion. Companies like Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, and Virgin leverage red to enhance their market presence and appeal. The boldness of red helps these brands stand out and communicate a sense of urgency, excitement, and reliability to their customers.

Interior Design

Red plays a key role in interior design, influencing the ambiance and the behavior of occupants.

Publics Spaces

In places where activity and social interaction are encouraged, such as cafes, bars, and restaurants, red can create a lively and dynamic atmosphere. This color stimulates conversation and interaction, making spaces feel more vibrant and welcoming.

Avoiding Red in Calm Spaces

Conversely, red is rarely used in bedrooms, rest areas, or meditation spaces. Due to its potential to increase excitement and stimulation, it can hinder relaxation and rest. For these spaces, softer and more calming colors are preferred.

Accenting and Decoration

Red can also be used in small touches to accentuate specific elements of an interior space, such as cushions, artwork, or furniture, adding a burst of energy without overwhelming the room. Its ability to draw attention to details is an advantage when used sparingly, allowing it to enhance the environment without overpowering it.

Uniforms

Sports teams sometimes choose red uniforms to gain a psychological advantage. Red is associated with dominance, aggression, and competitiveness. Athletes in red can be perceived as more competitive and intimidating, which can influence the perception of opponents and referees.

Competitive Atmosphere

Training spaces and gyms can incorporate red elements to create a competitive and motivating atmosphere. This color stimulates energy and endurance, helping athletes maintain a high level of performance.

The Omnipresence of the Color Red in Our Lives

Whether in marketing, interior design, sports psychology, or even in danger and warning signals, red plays a crucial role in shaping our perception and behavior.

This color, which instantly grabs attention, stimulates emotions, and influences our actions, is strategically used in various fields to harness its energizing and attractive qualities. Red symbolizes passion, love, energy, power, and sometimes danger—concepts that deeply affect our psyche and physiology.

Thus, red is not just a color but an influential force that shapes our interactions, environments, and emotions, underscoring its undeniable role in the construction of our daily human experience.

Three key takeaways

Emotional and Physiological Impact

Red has a powerful effect on our emotions and physiology, stimulating excitement, increasing heart rate, and influencing strong behavioral responses. This ability to evoke intense reactions makes red a crucial color in visual communication.

Strategic and Universal Applications

Used strategically in marketing, interior design, and sports, red grabs attention, motivates action, and creates a dynamic atmosphere. Its practical applications demonstrate how it can influence purchasing decisions, social interaction, and competitive performance.

Cultural and Historical Symbolism

Across cultures and eras, red has symbolized varied concepts such as love, power, danger, and celebration. Its rich and multifaceted meaning illustrates its cultural significance and central role in our daily experience.

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