“RED”Common Interpretations/Meanings/Symbolism and Colour Phychology of “RED”
General guidelines on the symbolic meanings of RED colour and how you can use colours more effectively in your life.
RED [energy - stimulating]
Simply put… out of all colours, although it has the lowest vibrational rate in the colour spectrum, red is the most powerful, and should be used carefully and wisely. It is a dominating and very healing colour.
Aspects of “Red”
Red is associated with the Root Chakra/Energy Centre.
The meaning of the colour red (including mauve, magenta, crimson, scarlet, poster red)
RED Symbolizes: Power, romance, vitality, earthly, energy
The most emotionally intense colour is red as it stimulates a faster heartbeat and breathing. It is also seen as the colour of love. Red activates your pituitary gland, increasing your heart rate and causing you to breathe more rapidly.
Red is considered virtuous, as it has several emotional, sexual and fertility related qualities.
In combination with pinks stimulates emotions of love. You can count on it to be evoke a passionate response making you highly excitable and easily frustrated too.
When this happens, the well used phrase “seeing red” literally happens.
This visceral response makes red aggressive, energetic, provocative, attention-grabbing and gets people to take action.
Red is The Most Persuasive of all Colours. “Seeing Red”
Red is a colour that has an incredibly powerful effect on people at the non-conscious level. The colour red can affect how people function.
Effects of red on intellectual performance reveals that colour associations are so strong and embedded so deeply that people are predisposed to certain reactions when they see red.
· Most of us understand seeing red means stop, or warns us of danger.
· Being in the red associate with failure.
· Red on exam papers means you've made a lot of mistakes.
· Reds put fear into many students.
Red - Stimulating. Exciting. Energizing. Appetizing.
When you eye sees red, chemical responses in your body cause your blood pressure, pulse rate, and adrenaline to increase. Fire engine red is more energetic than a more traditional burgundy.
Reds evoke highly charged emotions such as aggression.
Red makes us pay attention and catches our eye immediately.
Red being nature's warning colour can indicate high levels of emotion, such as anger, impulsiveness or hate.
However, red can also mean "heat" and therefore indicate swelling, pain or injury on the physical body.
Red indicates courage, boldness and an adventurous spirit.
It symbolises power, strength, energy, vigour, passion, action, authority and command. Law, order, command and discipline. Red connects with successes.
A great booster for extra curricular activities.
Interesting notes on how people connect Reds to:
· Red represent a very strong willpower or energy being directed to achieve a goal.
· A bright red can indicate a passionate and energetic nature often associated with people who are courageous, entrepreneurial, or achievers.
· A deep clear red indicates a physical orientation in life, an adventurer, and often a well grounded individual.
· Deep red flashes, usually against a black background, symbolizes anger.
· A cloud of scarlet shows irritability.
· A dull and heavy crimson donates selfish love.
· Pure, clear red is physical love or passion.
· Excessive use of this colour is not recommended as Red also indicates rashness, confusion, frustration, and chaos. It is also the colour of strife, disputes, war, quarrels, danger, destruction, fury, and quite a lot of other negative vibes.
· Red should not be used by those suffering from
insomnia, hypertension and mental ailments.
· Red is the colour of action. It is exciting and stimulating.
· Psychologically it is the colour of the power energy, passion.
One must always bear in mind that “Red” gives different meanings in different cultures and also combinations with other colours.
Understanding the commonalities and connections of Colours and Chakras.
Chakra 1: Root Receiver and transmitter of the vibes of
physical world around us.
Colour: Red is its main colour and is also associated
with Black
Element: Earth
Position: It governs the BASE Root chakra/energy
situated at the base of the spine.
Objective: - Birth issues, Survival patterns, Generational patterns, Money, Food and health issues, Grounding. Manifests and anchors into the physical – inspired action.
It is also the outlet for oneness energy.
Red chakra colour meanings:
· It is a clear sign of instinctive, primitive power.
· It's within this place that initiates creation.
· Red connects with successes.
· It indicates courage, boldness and an adventurous spirit.
· It symbolises power, Law, order, strength, energy, vigour, passion, action, discipline, authority and command.
· A great booster for extracurricular activities.
Red is the colour of physical will, ambition, desire and strength to your relationships, your life and your work. It stabilized, brings about security and emotional survival.
Red is the initiator, the spark for powerful action to propel you forward.
Oriented linked to our most primitive physical and emotional needs of survival and self-preservation with stability.
Grounding when black/brown is involved.
Endocrine gland: Adrenal gland, kidneys, spinal column, back, hips, legs and feet.
If your immune system is slow-moving, red will give it a boost.
Red increases fertility in both men and women.
Not surprisingly, red helps menstrual problems, blood and the circulation, stop bleeding, and heals rashes and wounds.
Lack of Red brings about digestive ailments, anaemia, problems with physical and mental visions.
Associated problems:
Constipation, diarrhoea, piles, cold fingers and toes, frequency of urination, hypertension (high blood pressure), kidney stones, impotence, hip problems, bladder, vertebral column, legs and feet.
Too little red or when this Root Chakra is blocked/closed all kinds of negativities sets in; we experience:
- Lack of energy and vitality, depression, anxiety, anger and frustration.
- We tend to lose our temper quickly, become agitated, angry, overbearing, demanding, un-nerving,oppressive or even violent.
- May also be greedy, egotistical, domineering, bossy, addicted to wealth, high strung, hyperactive, addicted to self, dishonest and being cunning.
- We become fearful, lethargic, cautious, whiny and manipulative.
- We can't reach our goals, lack self confidence, feel unloved, not grounded, suicidal, weak willed, feel sexually inadequate, frustrated, alienated, separate, overly cautious, power conscious, possessive, needing outside approval, craving excitement.
If you’re tired or feel exhausted, introduce more red into your world. Your Energy levels are instantly heightened.
Negative Aspects of Too Much Red
Excessive use of this colour is not recommended as Red also indicates insecurity, self pitying, aggressive, fearful, rashness, confusion, frustration, and chaos.
It is also the colour of strife, disputes, war, quarrels, danger, destruction, fury, and quite a lot of other negative vibes.
Red should not be used by those suffering from insomnia, hypertension and mental ailments.
Red Gemstones - Ruby, Carnelian, Garnet, Red Jade, Moonstone, Red Jasper, Calcite, Sardonyx, Rhodochrosite, Red Carnelian.
Complimentary to the Root Chakra :
Hematite, Black Tourmaline, Smokey Quartz.
RED Gemstones transformative associated qualities, personality and what it symbolizes are:
Energy, confidence, passion, determined, assertive, daring, energetic, vitality, pioneering, action, devotion, enthusiasm, impulsive, courage, protection, power, spontaneity, warmth, heat, blood, fire, love, excitement, strength of will, spontaneous, extrovert and aggression.
As a general rule, red stones offer everything that commenced needs the life vitality.
The compliment of Red is Green, so if you need to tone down you raging passions, have a problem with temper or anger, or have trouble getting a hold of your emotions, add green to your surroundings.
When your Root Chakra is opened… optimism and enthusiasm in all levels set in.
Wear RED when you are serious about something or have a job that must get done, when you need a lot of energy, when you need or want to feel confident and in control, and when you want to feel sexy and desirable.
The most effective way to add the power of red or correct a balance in the 1st Chakra is thru adding natural red crystals and gemstones to your everyday wardrobe so they are close to you for several hours at a time and preferably (but not necessarily) touching your skin, (the pulse points: ears, wrists, ankles, and neckline) and thus effecting your aura and Root Chakra.
For direct healing, the stone or jewellery can be placed on the Root Chakra itself.
PINK can also be used here when a more gentle energy is required.
Numerology Red is good for the 4 and 8 person.
Essential Oils & Flowers - musk, basil, and all root oils.
Location | Physical Governing | Emotional Governing | Sense | Element | Seat |
Base of spine, sacral plexus | Organs of excretion, adrenals | Survival, primal instinct | Smell | Earth | Primal life force |
For Entrepreneurs and Professionals, the following understanding is interesting.
You know your Root Chakra is STRONG when you love your career and get rewarded for being so good at it.
Everybody envies you for your uncanny ability to make, save and invest money.
You always have more than enough money to go on holiday and buy what you want, without feeling guilty afterwards.
You always feel wanted and loved by your friends and family, and you feel good about yourself when you look in the mirror, both physically and emotionally.
You know your Root Chakra is WEAK or CLOSED when you’re stuck in an unfulfilling and unrewarding career, and you never seem to have enough money which leaves you worried and in debt.
Spending money is a harrowing experience for you, as you doubt your ability to budget effectively.
You suffer from weight or body issues, which leave you feeling unworthy and uncomfortable in your own self.