Red

Red is the color at the long wavelength end of the visible spectrum of light, next to orange and opposite violet. It has a dominant wavelength of approximately 625–750 nanometers. It is a primary color in the RGB color model and a secondary color (made from magenta and yellow) in the CMYK color model, and is the complementary color of cyan. Reds range from the brilliant yellow-tinged scarlet and vermillion to bluish-red crimson, and vary in shade from the pale red pink to the dark red burgundy.

Red pigment made from ochre was one of the first colors used in prehistoric art. The Ancient Egyptians and Mayans colored their faces red in ceremonies; Roman generals had their bodies colored red to celebrate victories. It was also an important color in China, where it was used to color early pottery and later the gates and walls of palaces. In the Renaissance, the brilliant red costumes for the nobility and wealthy were dyed with kermes and cochineal. The 19th century brought the introduction of the first synthetic red dyes, which replaced the traditional dyes.

Since red is the color of blood, it has historically been associated with sacrifice, danger, and courage. Modern surveys in Europe and the United States show red is also the color most commonly associated with heat, activity, passion, sexuality, anger, love, and joy. In China, India, and many other Asian countries it is the color symbolizing happiness and good fortune.

Shades and variations

Main article: Shades of red

Red can look different depending on its brightness, intensity, and mix with other colors. When mixed with white, it creates a lighter color called a tint, and when mixed with black, it creates a darker color called a shade. There are many interesting types of red. For example, cardinal is named after the bright red color worn by Catholic cardinals. Pink is a very light, pale form of red. Vermilion is a red color that leans a bit toward orange and is used in things like sindoor, a red powder worn by some Hindu women in India. Ruby is the deep red color found in ruby gemstones.

In science and nature

The human eye sees red when looking at light with a wavelength between approximately 625 and 740 nanometers. Red is a primary color in the RGB color model, and it is also one of the three primary colors in traditional RYB color theory, along with blue and yellow.

Red light is used to help with night vision because the rod cells in the human eye are not sensitive to red. In nature, red appears in many places, such as the reddish color of Mars due to iron oxide on its surface, and the red glow of a sunset caused by the scattering of blue and green light in the atmosphere.

History and art

See also: History of red

People have used the color red for thousands of years. In ancient times, they made red paint from natural materials like ochre, a type of clay colored by iron. Paintings of animals in caves, like those in Cave of Altamira in Spain, used red ochre to stand out.

In many cultures, red has held special meaning. The ancient Egyptians used red to show life and health. The Romans wore red clothes for special days and battles. In the Middle Ages, red became a color for important people and for religious meanings, like the blood of Christ. Kings and church leaders often wore red to show their power and role.

During later centuries, red took on new meanings. It became a symbol for change and fighting for rights. Workers used red flags to show their struggles, and it became linked to movements fighting for fairness and equality in many countries around the world.

Symbolism

Red is a color that holds many meanings in different cultures and contexts. It is most commonly linked with courage and sacrifice. In western countries, red has long been a symbol of martyrs and sacrifice, especially because it is the color of blood. During the Middle Ages, leaders of the Roman Catholic Church wore red to represent the blood of Christ and Christian martyrs. The red cross on a white field, known as the St. George's Cross, was used by Christian soldiers during the First Crusade. This symbol later became the Flag of England and part of the Union Flag of the United Kingdom.

Red also carries meanings of passion, heat, and intensity. It is the color most associated with love, but also with anger, aggression, and war. In ancient Rome, red was linked to Mars, the god of war, because of the red color of the planet Mars. Red is also a color of warning and danger. It is used in flags, on stop signs, and in sports to signal important alerts or rules. For example, in football, a red card means a player has broken a serious rule and must leave the game.

Because red stands out so clearly, it is often used to draw attention. It is worn by lifeguards, celebrities, and others who need to be easily seen. Red is also used in advertising to make products noticed, although some people find it hard to read text in red.

In religion

In Christianity, red is linked to the blood of Christ and the sacrifice of martyrs. It is also used in the Roman Catholic Church for special occasions like pentecost and to honor important religious figures.

In Buddhism, red is one of the colors believed to have come from the Buddha when he reached nirvana. It stands for good qualities like wisdom and fortune. In Shinto, the red color of temple gates, called torii, marks the entry to sacred places. In Taoism and Chinese folk religion, red can represent positive energy and good luck. Hinduism also values red for its connection to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and beauty.

Military uses

The color red has been important in military uniforms for a long time. In 1645, the English Parliament's New Model Army started wearing red coats, which made British soldiers famous as "red coats." This tradition continued until the start of the First World War in 1914. Today, some British army units, like the Foot Guards and Life Guards, still wear scarlet uniforms for special ceremonies.

Many other countries that were once part of the British Empire also use scarlet in some of their military uniforms. For example, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police wear a red uniform called the Red Serge, which was inspired by British Army uniforms. The color red is also used in military training to represent opposing forces, leading to terms like "red team" for challengers in exercises.

In sports

The first known team sport to feature red uniforms was chariot racing during the late Roman Empire. In these early races, one driver wore red while the other wore white. Later, more teams were added, including those in light green and sky blue.

Today, many sports teams around the world use red in their uniforms. Red, along with blue, is one of the most common non-white colors in sports. Several national teams wear red, often because of their national flags. For example, Spain's association football team is nicknamed La Furia Roja ("The Red Fury"), and Belgium's football team is called Rode Duivels ("Red Devils"). In club association football, many teams wear red, such as Bayern Munich, Benfica, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Roma. A red penalty card means a player has done something very wrong and must leave the game.

In motor racing, the color red is linked with Italy. Cars from teams like Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Lancia, Ferrari, and Abarth are painted in a special red called rosso corsa. Even though most teams now have colors from sponsors, Ferrari still uses this traditional red. In Canada and the United States, many teams in baseball, hockey, football, and basketball also feature red in their uniforms and logos. In boxing, red is a common color for gloves. In martial arts, a red belt shows that a person has learned a lot and is very skilled.

On flags

See also: Red flag (politics)

Red is the most common color used in national flags. It appears on 77 percent of the 210 independent countries as of 2016. The British flag includes red, white, and blue, with red from the cross of Saint George and the saltire of Saint Patrick. Many countries like the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji also feature red, often because of historical ties to Britain.

Red is also important in flags of many former Spanish colonies such as Mexico, Colombia, and Venezuela. In some countries, red has special meanings. For example, the red on the flag of Nepal represents the country's floral emblem, the rhododendron. Red is also used in flags to show danger or important symbols.

In politics

In 18th-century Europe, red was often linked to royalty and power. Important figures like the Pope and soldiers in armies such as the British Army wore red clothing.

Later, red became a symbol of freedom and revolution. During times of big changes like the French Revolution, red was used to show support for new ideas and liberty. In the 19th and 20th centuries, red became tied to movements fighting for workers' rights and social change. Many parties around the world that aimed to improve life for ordinary people chose red as their color. Even today, red is widely used by political groups that support these ideas.

In the United States, the term "red states" refers to states that typically vote for Republican candidates, while "blue states" vote for Democrats. This way of describing elections started after the 2000 presidential election.

Social and special interest groups

Names like Red Club, Red Carpet, Red Cottbus, and Club Red often suggest fun and excitement. The Red Hat Society is a group for women aged 50 and over, started in 1998. The color red is also used to show urgency, as seen in groups like the Red Cross for helping people, the Red Hot Organization for supporting those with AIDS, and the Red List of Threatened Species by the IUCN. In some places, the word "red" is used to describe the indigenous peoples of the Americas.

Idioms

Red is often used in everyday expressions to describe different feelings and situations. For example, "to see red" means to become very angry, while "to have red ears or a red face" means to feel embarrassed. Another fun expression is "to paint the town red," which means to enjoy a lively evening with friends.

Red is also used to give warnings or draw attention. "To raise a red flag" means to point out a problem, and "like a red rag to a bull" describes something that makes someone very angry. A "red letter day" is a special occasion, just like rolling out the "red carpet" to welcome an important guest.