http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red
Red is any of a number of similar colors evoked by light consisting predominantly of the longest wavelengths of light discernible by the human eye, in the wavelength range of roughly 630–740 nm.[2] Longer wavelengths than this are called infrared (below red), and cannot be seen by the naked human eye. Red is used as one of the additive primary colors of light, complementary to cyan, in RGB color systems. Red is also one of the subtractive primary colors of RYB color space but not CMYK color space.
Symbolism
Sin, guilt, pain, passion, blood, and anger
Red is used as a symbol of guilt, sin and anger, often as connected with blood or sex.[20] A Biblical example is found in Isaiah: "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow."[21] Also, The Scarlet Letter, an 1850 American novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne, features a woman in a Puritan New England community who is punished for adultery with ostracism, her sin represented by a red letter 'A' sewn into her clothes.[22] This all comes from a general Hebrew view inherited by Christianity which associates red with the blood of murder,[23] as well as with guilt in general. Often, things will be in red to scare.[24] Another popular example of this is in the phrase "caught red-handed", meaning either caught in an act of crime or caught with the blood of murder still on one's hands.[25] At one point, red was associated with prostitutes, or now, with brothels (red-light districts).[26][27] In Roman Catholicism, red represents wrath, one of the Seven Deadly Sins. In Christianity, Satan is usually depicted as colored red and/or wearing a red costume in both iconography and popular culture.[28] Statistics have shown that red cars are more likely to be involved in accidents.[29]
The color red is associated with lust, passion, love, and beauty as well. The association with love and beauty is possibly related to the use of red roses as a love symbol.[30] Both the Greeks and the Hebrews considered red a symbol of love, as well as sacrifice.[31] Psychological research has shown that men find women who are wearing red more attractive.[32]
Courage and sacrifice
Red is used as a symbol of courage and sacrifice, as in blood spilt in sacrifice or courage in the face of lethal danger.[33] Examples of this are found in the flags of many nations including the United States, as well as in the novel The Red Badge of Courage, in which a soldier in the American Civil War discovers the meaning of courage.[34] In Christianity, red is the liturgical color for the feast of martyrs, representing the blood of those who suffered death for their faith. It is sometimes used as the liturgical color for Holy Week including Palm Sunday and Good Friday, although this is a modern (20th century) development. In Roman mythology red is associated with the god of war, Mars.[33] A Roman general receiving a triumph had his entire body painted red in honor of his achievement.[35] The phrase "red-blooded" describes someone who is audacious, robust, or virile.[25] In English heraldry, red (called gules) denoted ardent affection or love, while crimson (blood-color) stood for boldness, enthusiasm, or impetuosity.[36] In Edward de Bono's book Six Thinking Hats a red hat represents feelings and emotions.[37]
Warning
Red catches people's attention, and can be used either in a negative way to indicate danger and emergency, or in a positive way in advertising to gain more viewers, or in nature, as a ripe fruit announces its readiness with its red color.[38] Several studies have indicated that red carries the strongest reaction of all the colors, with the level of reaction decreasing gradually with orange, yellow, and white, respectively.[39] Because of this, red is often used to catch people's attention in a variety of situations (see: penalty card).[40] The port, or left, side of a sea-going vessel carries a red navigation light, to warn other vessels approaching from that side to change course to avoid a collision.[41]
On flags
Red is one of the most common colors used on national flags. The use of red has similar connotations from country to country: the blood, sacrifice, and courage of those who defended their country; the sun and the hope and warmth it brings; and the sacrifice of Christ's blood (in some historically Christian nations) are a few examples.
Red, gold, green and black are the colors of Pan-Africanism. Several African countries thus use the color on their flags, including South Africa, Ghana, Senegal, Mali, Ethiopia, Togo, Guinea, Benin, and Zimbabwe. The Pan-African colors are borrowed from the flag of Ethiopia, one of the oldest independent African countries.[57][58] Rwanda, notably, removed red from its flag after the Rwandan Genocide, because Pan-Africanism was so strongly associated with the event and because of red's association with blood.[59]
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Etymology and definitions
In science
Colorimetry, color science, vision, and photography
In nature
Use by political movements
Food and drink
http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/artists/artpages/tracey_emin_my_bed.htm
