Meaning of Colors: Red

Keeping with my research on colors, I am now looking at the different meanings and emotions evoked by each color. I am looking at Red, Yellow, Blue, Green, Purple, Orange, and Pink. There is a separate blog post for each color. The reason that I need to research this more is because I have never really noticed the emotional side of colors, I know the stereotypical view of certain colors, but not any real understanding about it, which if I can learn, will help enhance my designs by using every aspect of my design to show my message to my audience.

Red 

Meanings of the Color Red

The color red is one that is usually used for extremes of emotions, such as passionate love, seduction, violence, danger, anger, and adventure. In the past, the color red was associated with fire and blood - energy and primal life forces - and these older views have been carried over to the way people interpret red today. On top of these intense emotions, red is also associated with religion and magic. To the Greek culture, it is seen as super-human heroism, and in the Christian religion, it is the color of the crucifix. In older days, it was extremely rare and expensive, mostly because of its views as a color or power and magic.

      Global Meanings

• One of the top two favorite colors world-wide
• About 77% of all flags include red because its one of the most popular color for flags
• The international color for Stop
• Red districts sell sex and pornography in every European culture

      These facts about the global meaning and significance of red all demonstrate how this color is   perceived. The fact that this color is on almost all flags shows its connection to power, and the sex and pornography connects it to the seduction and passion that red is also often connected with. 

      Unique Meanings of Red in Other Cultures

• Red is the color of good luck in Asia and is the most popular color in China
• In Japan, most children draw the sun red, rather than yellow
• In the stock market in East Asia, they use red to show a raise in stock prices, rather than using it to show a decline as America does
• Red is used for marriages in many countries - brides in India and Nepal wear red saris; in Japan, a red kimono symbolizes happiness and good luck

      Though usually the meaning and interpretation of different objects, symbols, sayings and colors differ depending on where on Earth you are, some colors and meanings are very similar and close no matter what country you are, though they have their own unique meanings.

Designing with Red

Unlike most colors that the only variation of that one color is either lighter or darker hues, there are actually two types of reds. The first type is Yellow-based red, which are considered "tomato" reds. The second type is Blue-based red, which is called "Berry" red. Some believe that males are more attracted to "tomato" reds, while woman like "Berry" reds more.

What is important to remember though is that context makes all the difference. As mentioned in my last blog, Basic Color Theory, I show an example about how depending on the background color that red is placed on creates a different appearance for the same red block, either making it seem brighter and bigger, or duller and even a different shade than it really is. Red is a very powerful color, it draws attention; red is the second most visible color, the only color more visible is yellow.

That is the reason it is used for stop signs, fire trucks, and for accents on ambulances, because it draws attention to it. One important note though is that 8% of the male population is red-green color blind, so they cannot see red at all, which can inhibit a design.

NOTE:

Information and graphics on this page are taken from Color Matters, Basic Color Theory at http://www.colormatters.com/color-and-design/basic-color-theory.