Red is the blood that runs through our veins, just like orange-red is the color of flames. The color red is one of the most outstanding and quickly perceived in nature, being distinguished quickly and not being as common to observe as green or blue.
But it has always contained a deep symbolism, perhaps the most visceral of all the colors that exist. Beyond the symbolic, red also has a psychological meaning and can modulate our behavior. What does the color red mean according to psychology? We are going to see it throughout this article.
Before starting to talk about what the color red symbolizes and means on a psychological level, it should be mentioned that color is not something intrinsic to objects or things but is the result of the act of perceiving. That is, we see red things because our eye captures certain wavelengths of light through a certain type of cones in our eye that our brain subsequently interprets as said color.
In the specific case of red, the wavelengths that correspond to it are those between 654 nm and 700 nm, actually being considered red as a large number of shades depending on their level of mixing with other colors. It is one of the three primary colors, whose meaning on a psychological level is influenced by its association with perceived stimuli of said color or any of its mixtures with other colors, especially orange.
Symbolism and meaning of the color red on a psychological level
As we said in the introduction, the color red is one of the colors that usually has the greatest symbolism on a psychological and even religious level, because a series of specific elements are perceived as that color. Specifically, the strongest associations of the color red are with fire (although curiously the most common type of fire usually has an orange color) and with blood. By extension, it is also linked to heat, the Sun, war and violence (in which blood is common).
It is a color that, like in the rest of the cases reflects both positive and negative aspects although together with black and unlike the rest of the colors, it is usually frowned upon due to its relationship with violence.
From the psychology of colors, which studies the psychic effects of color derived mainly from their social and cultural perception (symbolism) and its effect on the brain, we can highlight the following associations in the case of the color red.
Among the most positive, red is associated with heat, passion and energy. It is also linked to affectivity, being in its positive pole also associated with love (although one of its derivatives, pink, usually has a greater connection), sensuality and sex. It has also been associated with prosperity and power, as well as by force. Also to vitality and dynamism, good health, happiness and even extraversion.
It is also common for it to be related to spontaneity and daring. In fact, psychologically it has been observed that this color slightly stimulates more extraverted behavior. It has also been observed that it is an activating color for human beings and that it helps generate movement and act to achieve one’s goals. It is also related to success, independence and autonomy and even to life.
But its negative connotations, linked to blood, are probably much better known. In this sense, red has been related throughout history with violent behavior, hatred, aggressiveness, lack of control, emotional lability, excess and danger. Also with competitiveness (although this connotation can be good or bad depending on whether or not it is taken to the extreme). Sometimes it is linked to destruction, cruelty and death. It has been observed that the color red is also linked to unreflective behavior and a tendency to ignore risk. In fact, there is an urban legend that people with a car of that color usually have to pay more in insurance because of this association.
In short, we are facing one of the colors in which the bipolarity of the symbolism of colors is most clearly seen, associating both with aspects as valued as love and with concepts considered totally contrary, such as hate in this case. It is the color of intensity and viscerality, associated with a powerful and extreme emotionality and actually contributing to generating an intense emotional response.
Use of this color in different areas
All of the above aspects are not merely anecdotal or aesthetic, affecting and being taken into account in practice within very diverse areas. For example, the color red is not usually common in health centers beyond its symbol, due to its relationship with blood and pain. It is also usually avoided in places where silence and reflection are required, such as libraries. It is also not recommended for people who are already very excitable in themselves. since they can become overexcited.
However, it is common to use it to paint houses where you want to generate dynamism and activity. In clothing it is common to express closeness, activity or strength, although on the other hand it can also be counterproductive if we are in situations such as job interviews since it is linked to lack of control, little commitment and little capacity for reflection. Likewise, it is common in the case of women to use it in dresses or lipsticks. as an element of distinction and sensuality.
In the world of marketing, its connection with power and activity usually causes various brands to use it with products. It has also been seen to stimulate action, thoughtless behavior and consumerism, being used to improve the probability of purchase. It is also usually used in products aimed at a young and vital audience. It has also been observed that it is a color that tends to stimulate hunger and eating, which is common in food brands. Finally, it is usually used to signal danger due to its high visibility usually mixed with black or yellow.
We have seen the meaning attributed to the color red at a general level, but the truth is that in different regions of the world the symbolism of said color can vary to a different extent.
For example, In China it is seen as a color of good luck and long life, its use being common in celebrations to attract them. In India it is also associated with marriage, fertility, purity and power. It is usually used at weddings, being a color associated with the clothing of the goddess Lakshmi (goddess of good luck, beauty and wealth). In South Africa it is used as a color of mourning.
Historically, in cultures and societies that have always lived in conditions of intense cold, the color red is mostly a symbol of positivity and life, due to its connection with heat. Among them we can highlight Russia.
On the other hand, in cultures in which heat is a cause of suffering or even death, it can be seen as a negative symbol. Specifically, in ancient Egypt red was considered to be the symbol of evil and destruction, although it could also symbolize life and regeneration.
In Europe in the Middle Ages it had a double reading; On the one hand, red was related with evil and guilt (with many red-haired women accused of being witches and burned at the stake), while on the other hand the color of blood symbolized Jesus Christ and the idea of sacrifice and redemption. In fact, that is why the Pope’s robes were red and today the cardinals dress in that color. It also ended up being associated with the feminine, an association that is still valid today.
