The Colour RED

The Psychology of Colour

Colour psychology works like this: as light strikes the eye, each wavelength does so slightly differently. Red, the longest wavelength needs the most adjustment to look at it, while green requires no adjustment whatever and is the most restful hue. In the eye's retina, these vibrations of light are converted into electrical impulses which travel to the brain - ending up in the hypothalamus, which controls the endocrine glands, which in turn regulates our hormones. Put simply, each colour (wavelength) focuses on a particular part of the body, stimulating a specific physiological response, which in turn evokes a psychological reaction.

It is also conceivable, though not yet scientifically proven, that colour/light enters our bodies through our skin. Considerable anecdotal evidence indicates that some individuals can differentiate colours with their eyes shut, and certain blind individuals remain susceptible to colour psychology.

As in fine art painting, tonal variations can have a significant influence on the psychological impact of the colour. A light-red neck-tie or scarf, for instance, may have a completely different effect to that achieved by a normal-strength red. 

Primary Colours

There are four psychological primary colours - red, green, blue and yellow.

RED

“Painters use red like spice.” -- Derek Jarman

This is considered to be the most powerful colour with the greatest impact on the psyche. In his book Color Psychology and Color Therapy the noted 20th century colourist Faber Birren describes experiments using red lights, conducted by researchers at the University of California, which elevated blood pressure levels in healthy adults. Red is the universal colour for danger, stop signs, and colour-sensitive graphics and point-of-sale material. Red has also been the colour of Popes and Potentates throughout the history of art: see Raphael's Pope Leo X with Cardinal Giulio de'Medici and Luigi de'Rossi (1513-18, oil on panel, Palazzo Pitti, Florence); Velazquez' Pope Innocent X (1650, oil on canvas, Galleria Doria Pamphilj, Rome); and Piero della Francesca's Portrait of Battista Sforza and Federigo da Montefeltro (1465-66, oil on panel, Uffizi, Florence).

 

Passion, strength, energy, fire, love, sex, excitement, speed, heat, arrogance, ambition, leadership, masculinity, power, danger, gaudiness, blood, war, anger, revolution, radicalism, socialism, communism, aggression, summer, autumn, stop, Mars (planet), respect, Gemini (star sign), December.

Studies show that red can have a physical effect, increasing the rate of respiration and raising blood pressure; red also is said to make people hungry; the red ruby is the traditional 40th wedding anniversary gift; red sky in the morning, shepherd's warning; red sky at night, shepherd's delight.

Red is the most emotionally intense colour. In decorating, red is usually used as an accent. Decorators say that red furniture should be perfect since it will attract attention.

Red in the Church

There is a diverse use of the color red throughout the Scriptures. Its primary associations are blood and war.

Red is the color of fire and so symbolizes the presence of God. It is the liturgical color for Pentecost.  It is considered the color of the Church, since red can also symbolize the blood of martyrs. It is sometimes used for Maundy Thursday and during Eastertide. In Roman Catholic tradition it is used for Palm Sunday in anticipation of the death of Jesus. In some traditions it is used to commemorate special days for martyrs or saints. Red symbolizes feast days of martyrs in the Catholic Church.

Red colors symbolize the Holy Spirit and is the color of Pentecost. Red also represents fire and is associated with power and importance. Crimson red also symbolizes the presence of God and the blood of martyrs. It is the Christian liturgical color for Pentecost and represents atonement and humility. Crimson is used to describe fine materials and sin.

Pav