Red is the colour of passion, but also of ambition and prohibition. It's certainly worth finding out what the symbolism of the colour red is and what meaning it can carry. There's no denying it catches the eye, so maybe it's worth adding it to your wardrobe? Learn more about the effect of red, which is very interesting, although it doesn't enrage bulls, as is commonly believed.

The colour red – a shade known for centuries

Cochineal – an intense red dye derived from the cochineal insect. Thanks to these small, unassuming creatures, this magnificent colour could be obtained with ease. For centuries, it also provided monarchs and Roman Catholic cardinals with beautifully, intensely dyed robes. Even the Romans commonly used red dye, and it was the colour most often used to dye fabrics.

It's quite interesting that the colour red appears on over 70% of national flags. This is an impressive figure, and it's certainly not without reason that red is so readily chosen for state symbols. It also appears in nature - we often see red flowers or fruits, while in the animal kingdom it's much rarer, as it stands out too much. It's also untrue that bulls react very badly to this colour - it's movement that strongly affects their behaviour. Barely a few percent of women like the colour red - admittedly more than men, but still not many. However, given that it's not described as disliked, one can guess that we often use it.

The meaning of the colour red

The meaning of the colour red is based on close associations with this shade. On one hand, it's blood, and thus strength and life energy. On the other, it can be fire, war and aggression. It is therefore a non-uniform colour carrying many meanings. In ancient China, red, alongside black, was a colour associated with death. Later on, it began to be associated with fire, Mars and summer. Today, it's a joyful colour of happiness in this region. The meaning of the colour red is also strongly linked to power - both the cloaks of Roman generals, the headwear of Aztec rulers, and priests' robes were dyed red. If we look at medieval times in the West, the meaning of the colour red is also already linked to eroticism, passion and sex.

Symbolism of the colour red

Regardless of culture, one can find an affinity between the colour red and life forces and fertility. It's very easy to link it to fire, and thus to passion or eroticism. Dark red is passion and vigour, light red is eroticism and sexuality. It strongly affects the senses, it can speed up the heartbeat, but also cause anger and aggression. It stimulates appetite, which can sometimes be used to advantage. It's a warning colour that immediately catches the eye. It symbolised blood, and thus danger. Today it's used in this capacity on road signs. It's also used in graphics and messages meant to quickly and effectively grab attention. In the past, it was believed that red could protect against evil forces, and this view can still be encountered today - tying a red ribbon on a baby's pram confirms this.

Red colours – who should choose them?

Red has many shades, from ruby, scarlet, crimson to strawberry or burgundy. Thanks to this, everyone will find one that suits them. Warm reds suit brunettes, while cooler shades will suit blondes and their lighter complexion better. Red will be an excellent choice for people who like to lead, who have a lot of energy, are bold and like to draw attention to themselves. Red is certainly a way to stand out. People who choose this colour are persistent, sometimes rebellious and can be a bit aggressive. Red should certainly be chosen when you want to take centre stage. It's not without reason that the red carpet, walked by Hollywood stars, is so popular and stirs the senses.

What colour goes with red?

Once we've decided on red clothing, we need to check what's worth pairing it with. What colour should we choose to go with red? What should we combine it with? It could be classic black and white. It could be navy and brown. Red with a violet tinge will create an interesting combination. Green, as a complementary colour for red, can also appear in outfits. This is a very commonly used duo during the festive period. You can also pull out pink or blue from your wardrobe, as these can also come in handy for outfits with red. Now you know what colour goes with red, so try to create outfits you'll like using what you already have in your wardrobe.