The color red is known to escalate the body’s metabolism through the pituitary gland. Respiration, blood pressure, and heart beat become altered in reaction to red’s physiological imprint on us. It is no wonder that this color has become so closely associated with highly emotional responses such as anger, energy, good health, fertility, passion, sensuality and love. Because of these instinctual reactions, different cultures have worn this color to mark the passing of life’s important milestones.
Red remained an elusive color to produce for many centuries. Many processes were explored in different parts of the globe to find a manufacturing procedures that would produce a vibrant color that wouldn’t fade easily.
Prior to the introduction of synthetic dyes (the middle of the 19th century) red became a status symbol. Replaced by purple as the preferred color among monarchs, high-ranking government officials and as a visual symbol to separate the gentry from the poor. In some cases the color was reserved for use only on auspicious occasions.
In Chinese marriages red is worn by the bride, and everything down to the gifts and wedding invites integrate the color to ensure happiness and good luck for the couple. (Western influences in recent years has seen a shift from red to white being worn by the bride).
Red remained an elusive color to produce for many centuries. Many processes were explored in different parts of the globe to find a manufacturing procedures that would produce a vibrant color that wouldn’t fade easily.
Prior to the introduction of synthetic dyes (the middle of the 19th century) red became a status symbol. Replaced by purple as the preferred color among monarchs, high-ranking government officials and as a visual symbol to separate the gentry from the poor. In some cases the color was reserved for use only on auspicious occasions.In Chinese marriages red is worn by the bride, and everything down to the gifts and wedding invites integrate the color to ensure happiness and good luck for the couple. (Western influences in recent years has seen a shift from red to white being worn by the bride).
Representing emotional bliss, and fertility Indian (Hindu) brides wear a red sari that in past traditions was given to her by her father. The application of kumkum paint is used to apply the bindi, or ceremonial red dot on the forehead (between the eyebrows) of the bride. According Hindi tradition, it is said that this is the location of the sixth chakra, ajna, the area of “concealed wisdom” and is the exit point for kundalini (corporeal) energy. By painting a red a bindi it is said to retain the energy, strengthen its concentration, thus protect the wearer against demons or bad luck.In the Roman Catholic faith, ordained priests wear colored vestments that reflect the liturgical calendar. Because red was often associated with martyrdom or the blood of Christ it is worn on Palm Sunday, Good Friday and at masses for deceased Popes and Cardinals.
For the Incan Empire wearing red denoted being a member of royalty or nobility and underscored the ability to conduct diplomacy for the purposes of expanding territory. Young women were also dressed in the color (with white) prior to being sacrificed to the Ilyapathe god of lightening. It is important to note that prior to the arrival of the Spaniards in the 1520’s rulers in both Mexico and Peru used ceremonial textiles that were colored from the blood of conchineal insects. A similar practice was done in Europe and Asia but the results were outstripped by the vibrant pigments discovered and eventually exported from the New World.
Red was also used to adorn the skin. Applied by people in New Guinea, Zambia, and the Cheyenne tribe in Missouri, ceremonial body painting rites mark a young child’s transition into puberty and encourage safe passage into adulthood.
Living in Africa from Dakar to Lake Chad the young Fulani men paint their faces with red iron oxide and adorn themselves with beautiful beads, white cloth, and ostrich feathers. With broad smiles to show off their white teeth, they dance in long lines (while rolling their eyes) to compete for the attentions of young women from the opposite clan.
Dating back to the time of the Egyptians, the popular practice of applying makeup to enhance one’s lips and cheeks is a custom still observed today. From the 1950’s to the early 1960’s bright red lipstick was a cosmetic staple. Meant to heighten femininity and one's sexuality, until color film was more prevalent, red lipstick offered much needed contrast in black and white films. This practice translated over to print where movie stars often appeared in advertisements with pallid complexions and bright lipstick. Prior to this period wearing lipstick of any kind (specifically for young women) was sternly discouraged by parents who associated it with being promiscuous or prostitution.
Whatever the application, the use of red in any amount will always command an observer’s attention and heighten metabolism—desired or not.