Meaning of Color Red

What is the symbolic meaning of the color red, including psychology, what associations does it have, and how does it influence us? If red is your favorite color or if you drive a red car, what does it imply about you and your personality?

We will also be taking a look at the meaning of red gemstones, business and branding, common uses, interesting facts, color red quotes, and popular phrases or idioms.

Color Red Meaning & Symbolism

The color red is symbolic of passion, desire, energy and determination. It has connections to health and life. Red is an indicator of fruit being ripe.

Being red in the face suggests good blood circulation, therefore suggesting good health. Red is also a color which gains attention, and it can imply danger in the natural world. See things that are red in nature.

Red is often shown in fiction as a color connected with evil. In many fictional stories, red is often used to visually enhance and exaggerate the appearance of evil characters, for example, having red eyes.

The color red is also often associated with femininity. It’s usually a more popular color choice by women. Women are actually better at detecting the color red. However, some of the associations of red, such as ambition, determination, intimidation and strength are more associated with masculinity.

Red has a lot of significance in Christianity. Scarlet red is often used to reference sin. In the bible, red symbolizes the blood of Christ. It’s also one of the most important colors in the meaning and celebration of Christmas.

In China, red is seen as the color of good luck, courage, success and generally has positive associations. Brides in China traditionally wear red. Many of these associations are generally true in other Asian countries. With the stock market in east Asian countries, red signifies stock prices going up, which is the opposite meaning to what is common in the western world.

In Russian culture, there are strong connections to the color red and beauty; it’s also associated with honor, and as a color that represents that which is good. In certain parts of Africa red is associated with those who have passed on, and generally connected to death.

Wearing Red Meaning or Owning a Red Car

It could suggest that somebody is extroverted, not shy and that they like attention and being noticed, possibly an attention seeker. It could also mean somebody wants to appear more attractive, and they care a great deal about their appearance. Displaying red may be an expression of having high energy levels and being physically capable. Perhaps they are looking to intimidate others and they probably have a competitive nature. It would suggest a person places high value on expressing themselves.

An introverted, reserved and inward-thinking person may choose a red car because it’s one of the most visible and safest colors for a car. This would suggest someone was practical and rational in their thinking with little interest in outside opinions.

Personality if Red is your Favorite Color

You have high levels of physical energy, you’re probably into fitness and sports and you take care of your body.

You have a strong desire to win and be the best, very competitive and ambitious.

You are a passionate person and sex is a very important part of your life.

You struggle with waiting for things, impatient, you want things instantly, you often give in to instant gratification.

You are often impulsive, often acting before thinking, relying heavily on your intuition and gut instincts.

You like to travel and explore the physical world, and you seek out physical experiences.

You have a short attention span, always looking for a new challenge. You like to be in control of things or people and you seek power over your life, or power in general.

You have a desire to be the center of attention, and you often get that attention because of your drive and energy, which is attractive to people.

You can easily be angered and turn aggressive. This is a negative that can come from having high levels of physical energy and being impulsive.

Red Personality Summary: Ambitious, attention-seeking and out-going. The color red is also energetic, attractive, promiscuous, thrill-seeking, powerful and sometimes intimidating.

Positive Traits & Influences

Energy

Being exposed to the color red is believed to cause increased heart rate and breathing which can naturally cause our energy levels to increase.

Passion

The color red has strong connections to desire, lust and sexuality. When somebody is dressed in red they are often seen as more attractive.

Intimidation

There have been several studies looking into the possible effects of the different colors of sport team uniforms. The team that wore a red uniform had a psychological influence on the other team. This influence was intimidation due to the more aggressive appearance. While the influence was small, the psychologists and researchers seemed convinced that the team wearing red had a slight psychological advantage.

Negative Influences

Aggression

Because red is such a noticeable and powerful color, it can cause irritation and even anger and encourage seeking revenge for something. Combine this irritation and anger with increased energy levels and it can cause aggression.

Danger

Bright colors are often used as warnings, red is an attention grabber which makes people more alert. Certain animals also display red as a sign, warning others of danger and to stay away.

Business & Branding

The color red is one of the most commonly used colors when it comes to branding. So many well-known brands have red in their logo, including.

It’s likely used so often due to its ability to gain attention, which naturally makes it a good decision with regards to branding and design.

Meaning of Red Gemstones

The two most well known red gemstones are the ruby and the garnet stone. Generally, they are believed to have a few influences, such as increasing our levels of courage, and bringing prosperity and protection. This protection includes the physical, as well as in a mental sense, and also preventing bad dreams. They are also believed to encourage passionate feelings and behavior.

Common Uses

Due to its attention-getting ability, the color red is used for many purposes.

• The buy buttons for making purchases are often a red color on many websites.
• Danger and warning signs, including the stop signal on traffic lights.
• The stock markets, indicating prices going down.
• Red ink for marking and pointing out errors.

Interesting Facts

The color red is one of the three additive (Light) RGB and subtractive (Paint) RYB primary colors.

On the visible spectrum red has a long wavelength of around 650 – 700 nm.

With color blindness, red or long wavelength detecting receptor cones are the ones most commonly absent. Basically, the most common type of color blindness is the inability to see red, plus it’s much more common in men.

Red was once the cheapest paint to buy, which is why it was used so often.

It turns out that during bull fighting, bulls are not actually triggered by the waving of the color red, but rather it’s the motion that triggers them to charge.

Red is the first color that our eyes pick up. This is due to its longer wavelength. In art, objects that are red are picked up by the eyes sooner. This is often used by artists to give an image depth.

On the CMY color model that printers use, red can be created by mixing together magenta and yellow. See what two colors make red for more on this.

Red Color Phrases or Expressions

Caught red-handed: Caught in the act doing something wrong.

Red in the face: This is a biological reaction to certain emotions, such as anger or embarrassment. The phrase is used mostly in connection to embarrassment or shame.

Paint the town red: This expression means to have a fun night out.

Seeing red: This is a common expression connected to anger and rage.

Red herring: This phase is used to describe distracting or misleading information.

Shades of Red

More shades of red with HEX and RGB color codes.

Dark Red – Less aggressive and energetic, more controlled and thoughtful. It also links to dignity, willpower, determination, courage, and malice.

Light Red – Less serious, more playful, energetic, emotional, impulsive, and sensitive.

Color Red Quotes