Is Red just the language of Love?

February 20, 2015

RED or DEAD?!

Colour is an important part of our life and our culture. We use colours to indicate or give significance to objects or actions  – however, colors are not interpreted in the same way by different cultures or regions of the world.

The more you understand colour and what it relates to in terms of our emotions, our moods and general wellbeing it can become a complete game changer. To consciously choose an “optimum outcome” within your interior design gives your kitchen, living room, bedrooms or bathrooms a valuable meaning that you may well have have missed – creating a healthy, happy home as opposed to a dull, oppressive or tired one.

RED? How do we feel when we see this color? What does it mean to us?

LOVE:
Red is the color of love, romance and lust. It’s associated with passion, emotion and desire. The Greeks and Hebrews considered red a symbol of love as well as sacrifice. It is now a colour that is strongly associated with Valentines Day, where the tradition of sending messages of love dates back to the 14th Century.

 Red is also the color of devil and hell. But rather than a bright scarlet it’s almost a blood dark red, which matches with evil and fire.

DANGER:
Red is a highly visible colour calling our attention quickly, allowing us to make quick decisions. Many traffic signs are red, as are fire trucks. A flashing red light helps us know that it’s an emergency. Here we think of red as a symbol of danger, emergency and action.

ENERGY:
Red is dynamic and emanates energy. But, like any good thing, too much of it can create agitation, stress, anger, or oppressive behaviour – be warned, a red bedroom can keep you awake at night. In contrast, to inject energy and dynamism into styling your home, it’s good to use red.

RED & CULTURE:
However, depending on the culture, the color’s meaning can change. In China, red is used for good luck and represents happiness and prosperity. In India, it means beauty, health and power, and in South Africa red is the color of mourning. Each culture use colours in a different way with a multitude of interpretations.

Is red your favorite colour?  What does it say about your character….

You should be an extroverted, optimistic, and courageous person. With red, you will emit a lot of vitality and energy. You are ambitious and competitive and like to be the winner – with you it is all or nothing! If red is your favourite colour –  you might also be unafraid of hard work, and specifically enjoy physical labor and working with your hands.

 What does means ‘red’ mean for you?