COLOURS AND THEIR MEANING

THE RED COLOUR

DO YOU REALLY KNOW THE MEANING AND IMPACT OF RED COLOUR ON OUR LIVES?

Our perception of colours is a product of visual perception. The world of electromagnetic stimuli in which we immersed has a much more rich and varied structure than our visual system can process. We only perceive a united range of frequencies of electromagnetic radiation, the narrow band of visible light which ranges in wavelength from approximately 360nm to 660nm. The visible wavelength of mixture of sometimes hundreds of separate and distribution of frequencies of visible lights as a single percept which we call a colour. In doing so we have lost a great deal of information that was originally present in light in fact many different distributions of visible light can produce the same subject colour percept.

The difference between the objective physical nature of distributions of electromagnetic energy caused a great deal of confusion for early researchers in optics. There is still much disagreement about the nature of the transformation from special distributions of photic stimuli into our convincing and stable representations of a world in which colour is a quality attached  to every visible object. There is still no reliable “information colour metric” which can accurately predict just noticeable differences across spectral distribution illumination and entrust. 

Red is the warmest of all colours. Red is the colour most chosen by extroverts and one of the

top picks of males. Red has more personal association than any other colour. Recognised as a stimulant, red is inherently exciting and the amount of red is directly related to the level of energy perceived. Red draws attention and keen use of red as an accent can immediately focus attention on a particular element. There are so many interesting information about the colour red. Red is the highest arc of the rainbow, it is the longest wavelength of light. It is also the colour that means “severe” in the colour-coded threat system established by presidential order in March 2002. This system quickly informs law enforcement agencies when intelligence indicates a change in the terrorist threat facing the United States.

                On the negative side, red can mean temper or anger. Red is associated with fiery heat and warmth. It can also mean danger. Do you know you can wear red accent piece when you want to present yourself as bold and dynamic? It can boost confidence if you are attending a function or interview where you feel unsure of yourself. If a woman wears a red dress it usually associated with sex appeal.

                Red in the other perspective represents blood and such has strong symbolism as life and vitally. It brings focus to the essence of life and living with emphasis on survival. Red is also the colour of passion and lust. Red gemstones can be used to strengthen the body, promote will power and courage.

                Now let us take time and find the meaning of red around the globe. Red represents beauty in many languages and culture including Russia. To the Hindu, red symbolizes joy, life, energy and creativity. Chinese New year is celebrated by wearing red clothing and decorating the house with red. Red envelopes with “luck money” are given to unmarried children to bring good fortune to them for the rest of the year. In Ghana, red represents sadness. People wear red to funerals to show how sad they are loosing a relative. It also represents blood of our forefathers who fought for our freedom on our national flag.

                Politically, the red colour represents US Republican Party and beginning with the 2000 presidential election, states that favoured the Republican candidates began being referred to as “Red State, while those that favoured the Democratic candidate were referred to as “Blue States”. It is also the colour most associated with the Soviet Union during communize reign. The red ribbon is also an international symbol of AIDS awareness.