There’s just something about red. Bold, fiery, commanding — red knows how to catch your attention.
Accordingly, you might not be surprised to learn all the powerful concepts the color can represent. “Red has several different meanings, including passion, seduction, glamour, love, charity and heat,” says Rebekah Compton, PhD, an associate professor of art and architectural history at the College of Charleston. “These meanings derive from mythological and sacred stories, but also from the use and procurement of red as a dye and pigment in the medieval and Renaissance periods,” she elaborates, much to our inner history nerd’s delight.
Other color pros concur. “The use of red has been around for thousands of years. This primal hue was first used by ancient civilizations in cave paintings and burial ceremonies, and was later a common color used in Renaissance paintings and used by kings to showcase their ‘right’ to the throne,” echoes Emily Kantz, a Sherwin-Williams color marketing manager in Cleveland, Ohio.
It’s important to highlight that red also has different meanings cross-culturally. “In western cultures, red has an association with love, while in Asian cultures red relates to good fortune, love and fertility, making it an ideal wedding color,” clarifies Kantz.
You’re not imagining things if you feel like red is on the rise. “Typically seen as a classic bold color, red has seen a bit of a resurgence lately with social media fads such as the ‘unexpected red theory,’ [a viral TikTok trend] which had many of us adding red into our interiors and into our wardrobes for that instant dose of sophistication and confidence.
Keep reading to learn more about the meaning of red.
What does red mean?
“Red is a color that has been associated with a long list of both positive and negative feelings,” says Kantz. Here’s overview of some of the more common connotations of red, though this is by no means an exhaustive list.
Love and passion
Red means love, passion and all things fiery, naturally.
“In the feminine realm, red is often associated with love and seduction. This association stems, in part, from the fact that the most expensive dye for hundreds of years was kermes (later cochineal), which was derived from the shield louse insect,” explains Compton, who shares that these insects could only be harvested in particular locations, at specific times of the year. “The dye was costly due to its importation and prized because it created a deep crimson red with violet overtones, which remained colorfast.” She adds that this color was used for luxurious silk textiles, which were often fashioned into garments and bedding, presented to women as dowry or wedding gifts. Accordingly, Compton urges individuals to notice the prominence of red in early modern wedding portraits and bedroom interiors, as well as the modern-day red carpet.
What about the fellas? In the masculine arenas, red denoted and continues to signify virility and passion, says Compton, due to its association with the red color of the planet Mars, the god of war. (For this reason, per Compton, the hue can also signify courage, anger and bloodshed.)
Energy
Along with passion and attraction, this primary hue has been linked to energy, notes Kantz. In fact, the color pro calls it a “bold and stimulating color,” which has been shown to energize people, and drive them to become more active and livelier within their environment. FYI: Red is also used to describe people who identify with the Republican Party, as in “red-hot Republicans.”
Confidence
There's nothing like the power of a bright red lipstick. “This bold and confident hue has been associated with those who demand attention, from fashion and celebrity events on the red carpet, to the latest innovations in automotive and interior design,” says Kantz.
Want to extend this jolt of confidence and energy into your home? The painting expert recommends using strong and steady reds such as Red Bay SW 6321 and Red Barn SW 7591 for interior applications “due to its enveloping warmth” and layered depth, creating an ideal backdrop for other finishes or pieces of artwork.
Danger
There’s a reason stop signs are red. Red has been linked to aggression, danger and stress, says Kantz. “Red is often associated with risk taking and a higher level of competitiveness,” she adds.
Sacrifice
Historically, Compton shares that red is closely associated with the blood of Jesus, or blood sacrificed during the crucifixion. “Thus, it is a symbol of charity in the Catholic Church,” she continues. “It signifies amor proximi, which means ‘love of thy neighbor,’” she elaborates, noting that kermes dye was eventually the color chosen for the Cardinal’s robes of the Church.
What red as your favorite color says about you
For those over-the-moon for all things red, there’s quite a bit to unpack here as it relates to your demeanor.
First, if your favorite color is red, you might be considered a natural leader, with a sense of confidence and ambition, says Kantz. “You might be seen by others to have a more commanding presence and are able to motivate other team members with your charisma and enthusiasm,” she adds.
You also likely give things in life your all and throw yourself into things with, well, your full heart. “Red is associated with the heart because it pumps red blood,” explains Compton, who provides another fun fact about red’s symbolism: kermes dye was also used in electuaries (sweet syrup medicines), which could be taken to cure heart ailments.
Red can also mean you’re craving something, big time. “Today, red is often used in relation to desire and has been said to stimulate this area of the brain,” shares Compton. “Possibly, due to this connection, red is used in advertising, for Coca-Cola, Target and on the packaging of innumerable products in the grocery store.” Remember: Just because it beckons you, doesn’t mean you have to buy it.
