Red

(Flower at Longwood Gardens. Photo by Robin. June 2007)

The color red has not always been one of my favorites. In fact, it moves in and out of favor with me depending on how it manifests in my life. At this time in my life I often associate it with hot flashes and the color of my skin when my internal thermostat is malfunctioning and I’m heated from within. Or without, on hot days such as today.

Red is the color of my face when I’m embarrassed. I’ve been teased for that for as long as I can remember because I blush easily. Very easily. Red was the color of my hair when I was born. Red is the color of my skin after about 20 minutes in the sun without sunscreen. Red is not a color I’m likely to wear because it brings out all of my natural red coloring.

I often think I have an overabundance of red in my life. But red isn’t all bad and there are times when I’m attracted to it and find it delightful.

Red is the color of passion and excitement. Red is the color of life, the color of blood, the color of earth and clay. It’s a fiery color that attracts (think of the hummingbird coming to red feeders and flowers). Red stimulates and energizes.

(Longwood Gardens. Photo by Robin. June 2007)

Red is such a prominent color in life that when I went searching through my photos looking for examples of red, I found it just about everywhere.

(The red M&M. New York City. Photo by Robin. June 2007)

Red is associated with emotions that stir the blood such as anger, lust, and love.

(Rose in full bloom. Photo by Robin. June 2007)

Red is the color of strawberries, cherries, beets, grapes, tomatoes, cranberries, and apples (to name a few).

(Cranberries. Photo by Robin. December 2006)

It’s a color that demands attention, used for Stop signs, red lights, alarm boxes, fire engines, fire extinguishers, flashing lights on emergency vehicles and at bus stops and railroad crossings.

(Red light in NYC. Photo by Robin. June 2007)

(Stop sign in Ohio. Photo by Robin. 2006)

Red is called “gules” in English heraldry and stands for love or ardent affection. Crimson or blood-red stands for boldness, enthusiasm, or impetuosity.

(Spring tulips. Photo by Robin. 2007)

Red shows up a lot as a national color in many flags around the world.

(American flag. Photo by Robin. May 2007)

To the Chinese, red is the color of happiness, prosperity, good luck, and marriage. In some cultures it symbolizes the element of Fire and the direction South. The red rose is Aphrodite’s flower and in Greek mythology was a symbol for the cycle of growth and decay as well as love and fidelity.

(Panels on a Tibetan altar. Philadelphia Museum of Art. Photo by Robin. June 2007)

Red is the color of the base or root chakra (located at the base of the spine and groin areas), related to vitality, the life force, self-confidence, courage and self-awareness.

Red is currently being used throughout Longwood Gardens to draw attention to some of the older trees throughout the park.

(Longwood Gardens. Photo by Robin. June 2007)

Red is one of the colors of Valentine’s Day, Christmas, and Yule.

(Snow on holly. Photo by Robin. 2007)

(Under the Christmas tree. Photo by Robin. 2006)

In some Neo-Pagan traditions, the magickal properties of red include strength, courage, power, lust, love and passion.

Red ochre, an earth pigment made from naturally tinted clay, was used in cave art and in burials during prehistoric times. It has been thought to have protective powers against evil, enemies, and some illnesses.

(Mural in the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Photo by Robin. June 2007)

There are so many things that could be said about red that I might end up here for days trying to finish this entry. So, I’ll leave you with a question and a few more photos of red:

What does the color red mean to you?

(Parrots. National Aviary, Pittsburgh, PA. Photo by Robin. 2006)

(Fallen leaf. Photo by Robin. 2006)

(Lobster. Philadelphia, PA. Photo by Robin. 2007)

(Red umbrellas. Philadelphia, PA. Photo by Robin. 2007)

If you like red the interest of your life is directed outward. This does not necessarily mean that you have a fiery soul; indeed you may be a quiet one. Or you may once have been fiery and are now quiet. Through red the human spirit finds release for its more impassioned emotions.

~ Faber Birren