Red

Ancient Chinese people used the color red to represent the element of fire. Because the sun was worshipped as a deity in ancient China, red has been archaeologically connected to ritual locations and activities. Red is also the color of summer and corresponds to south on a compass. These metaphysical associations give red a very dynamic quality.

During the Han Dynasty, Emperor Gaozu claimed himself to be the “Son of the Royal Red.” Since then, red has become an auspicious and important color associated with ceremony and status. Historically, the highest-achieving scholar wore red robes to signify their status. Red was a principal color in important life events such as marriage and the birth of a child.

Around the 8th century CE, the tradition of red-painted palaces and temples came to Japan. Similarly, red clothing became a symbol of personal wealth. Red also became the most important color for women in marriage ceremonies, and is still used in women’s clothing to signify happiness. There are many red wedding items customary in both China and Japan such as red dresses, veils, text, candles, envelopes, lanterns, and decorations. These items are still used by people today. The use of red extends to many other celebrations: red cloth is wrapped around the main beam when moving to a new house, red paper cut-outs are posted during the Spring Festival, red-dyed eggs are eaten to celebrate a newborn’s one month birthday in China while rice with red beans is eaten to celebrate holidays in Japan. There are new, modern twists to the use of red, such as tying red silk ribbons around new cars to mark the occasion.

While red is clearly a symbol of happy events, wealth, and auspiciousness, it is also the symbol of fire. The physical warmth of fire is a metaphor for the intensity of emotion felt wherever red is used. As clothing, red symbolizes the passion felt by the wearer for their pursuits in life—love, prosperity, and knowledge.

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Explore the other colors in this exhibit: