Mystery in Red; Why Red is more than just a color

Have you ever wondered why the color red is influential Yes! People sing songs encompassing red , red is associated with valentine’s day, red carpet is used to mark the route taken by heads of states, celebrities on Gala in ceremonial and formal occasions, ‘Red devils’ famous to many, used to describe a globally celebrated football team. Red is the highest arc of the rainbow. All that giving red color power and prestige.

Red is conceivably one of the most passionate, meaningful and at times deadly color. It is referred to as scarlet in the Holy Scriptures. It’s the color that has the most personal associations. Its recognized as a stimulant, red is inherently exciting and the level of it is measured directly to the level of energy that is perceived.

“A woman flaunting red lipstick gives the perception that she is confident, an achiever and outgoing. This is because the color red is bold, noticeable hence it attracts attention”, says Nancy Achieng a fashion guru.

Nancy adds that red is actually good at stealing attention from other colors. People will simply pay attention to what you do because you allowed them to by choosing to be bold; wearing that red dress, lipstick, hair which is literally shouting. That can only be dared by the brave and courageous.

“I dress quite a number of people and I always emphasize that they incorporate red in their dressing, especially on those tough, peak days and during public speaking”, says Nancy.

This is owed to the fact that red gives you a lot of courage. Red gives a perception of knowing-it-all thus using less effort. It is about feeling confident and capable. It works if you want to be listened to since you become the focal point.

Red is distinctively associated with achievers, go-getters, energetic, optimists and in-the-know kind of human beings.

It is a commonly held belief that red lipstick can make the lips look even thinner. But Nancy disagrees, and says red color defines them, and actually gives more prominence.

“For me red lipstick is the ultimate symbol of glamour and power for a woman”, says Poppy King, founder of beauty brand Lipstick Queen.

Fabian Kipruto, a third year student from The University of Nairobi had dissenting views that he preferred red lipstick only on the light skinned ladies and he won’t let his chocolate-skinned girlfriend to flaunt it.

However, Nancy confirms that different shades of red lipstick are currently available in the market. The diverse colors favoring the different skin colors and types.

Study by the University of Manchester found that a lot of men are attracted to women with red lipstick. 50 men were used and they viewed photos of women wearing different lipstick colors. Researchers concluded that all the men spent an average of 7.3 seconds staring at women wearing red lipstick, 6.7 at the pink lipped ladies and only 2.2 at those who wore no lipstick. It is crystal clear than men fixate on women with red lips.

“I find a woman wearing a red dress, lipstick or heel shoe very classy and a go-getter”, says Andrew Wendo, an international business man.

Psychologist and post-doctoral researcher, Daniela Niesta and Andrew Elliot, professor of psychology, through five psychological experiments demonstrate that the color red makes men feel more enamored towards women. And they are unaware of this.

The research provides the empirical evidence for society’s enduring love affair with red. From the red ochre used in rituals in the olden days to today’s red light themes and red hearts on Valentine’s Day, the rosy hue has been associated to lustful passions and romantic love across cultures and millennia.7

Even though this aphrodisiacal effect of red may be a due to societal conditioning, the authors argue that men response to red more likely originates from deeper biological roots. Research has shown than non-human male primates are particularly attracted to females displaying red. Female baboons and chimpanzees, for example, redden conspicuously when nearing evolution, sending a clear sexual signal designed to attract males.

Experiments were carried out on the same and red rated as the most attractive color and most sexually desired by men. A woman wearing red was more likely to score an invitation to a more expensive outing.

Due to it boldness and the fact that it’s the most visible color in the spectrum, it’s also used on signs for signaling caution or warning and even danger. Often associated with the word STOP. It’s a perfect color for ‘click here’, ‘buy now’ buttons in websites and even on internet banners. It’s also regularly used on flags as a symbol of pride and strength.

As much as red is a bold color, it’s the only color that bees don’t see. That’s why red flowers are pollinated by birds. This fact makes it to uniquely stand out.

The color also increases food cravings and stimulates appetites. No wonder it’s commonly used in restaurants. This is due to its power of provoking emotions and motivation to take action.

In advertising, it evokes erotic feelings and cues you take action in making a purchase.

Red personality signifies a pioneering spirit and leadership qualities, promoting ambition and determination. Being the color of physical movement, red also awakens our physical life force.

It’s sometimes connected with embarrassment because people at times flush bright red. Other times, it represents anger where other times people’s faces turn red.

We mostly refer to something that is real hot as “hot red” for instance molten lava.

It is a color of energy and it is no wonder it is used in advertising of energy drinks and sporting activities both of which involves energy: intake and usage.

The red color has a more powerful meaning in the context of the Holy Scriptures. With much support, it can be argued that the color with the most meanings and symbols in the entire scripture is none other than scarlet or red. It appears approximately fifty three times.

The color’s use in the scripture lends itself to symbolically mean sin and sinfulness. In other circumstances it is used to depict war.

Songs have been sang about red, poems narrated, phases and quotes named with red included, company brands identified with red, associations, sport teams and campaigns associating themselves with the color, political parties using red as their team color, among others. It is clearly the color choice of many.

Due to its distinct nature and various emotional meaning, coupled with its unique preservations and relations, red has beyond doubt stood a test of time through glamour.