What does the color red mean in psychology?

Red is the blood that runs through our veins, like orange-red the color of flames. The red color is one of the most outstanding and quickly perceived in nature, distinguishing itself quickly and not being as frequent to observe as green or blue.

But it has always contained a deep symbolism, perhaps the most visceral of all the colors that exist. Beyond the symbolic, red also has a psychological meaning and can even modulate our behavior. What does the color red mean according to psychology? We will see it throughout this article.

• Related article: "Color psychology: meaning and curiosities of colors"

The color red: what is it?

Before we start talking about what the color red symbolizes and means on a psychological level, it should be mentioned that color is not something intrinsic to objects or things but is the result of the act of perceive. That is, we see things red because our eye captures certain wavelengths of light at through a certain type of cones of our eye that our brain later interprets as said colour.

In the specific case of red, the wavelengths that correspond to it are those between 654 nm and 700 nm, in reality being included within the consideration of red a great amount of tonalities depending on their level of mixing with other colors. It is one of the three primary colors, whose meaning on a psychological level is influenced by its association with perceived stimuli of that color or of any of its mixtures with other colors, especially with the Orange.

Symbolism and meaning of the color red on a psychological level

As we said in the introduction, the color red is one of the most symbolic at the level. psychological and even religious, due to the fact that a series of concrete elements are perceived from said colour. Specifically, the strongest associations of the color red are with fire (although curiously the most common type of fire usually has an orange color) and with blood. By extension, it is also linked to heat, the Sun, war and violence (in which blood is common).

It is a color that, as in the rest of the cases reflects both aspects considered positive and negativeAlthough together with black and unlike the rest of colors it is usually frowned upon due to its relationship with violence.

From the psychology of colors, which studies the psychic effects of color derived mainly from social perception and cultural of these (symbolism) and their effect on the brain, we can highlight in the case of the red color the following associations.

Among the most positive, red is associated with heat, passion and energy. It is also linked to affectivity, being at its positive pole also associated with love (although one of its derivatives, pink, is usually more closely linked), sensuality and sex. It has also been associated with prosperity and poweras well as by force. Also vitality and dynamism, good health, happiness and even extraversion.

It is also common for it to be related to spontaneity and daring. In fact, psychologically it has been observed that this color slightly stimulates a more extroverted behavior. It has also been observed that it is an activating color for the human being and that it helps to generate movement and act to achieve one's own goals. It is also related to success, independence and autonomy and even life.

But its negative connotations, linked to blood, are probably much better known. In this sense, red has been associated throughout history with violent behavior, hatred, aggressiveness, lack of control, emotional lability, excess and danger. Also with competitiveness (although this connotation can be good or bad depending on whether or not it is taken to the extreme). It is sometimes linked to destruction, cruelty, and death. It has been observed that the color red is also linked to behaviors that are not very reflective and with a tendency to ignore risk. In fact, there is an urban legend that people with a car of that color often have to pay more in insurance due to this association.

In short, we are facing one of the colors in which the bipolarity of the symbolism of colors is most clearly seen, associating both with aspects as valued as love to concepts considered totally contrary, such as hatred in this case. It is the color of intensity and the visceral, associated with a powerful and extreme emotionality and actually contributing to generate an intense emotional response.

Use of this color in different areas

All the above aspects are not merely anecdotal or aesthetic, affecting and taking into account in practice within very diverse areas. For example, the color red is not usual in health centers beyond its symbol, due to its relation to blood and pain. It is also often avoided in places where silence and reflection are required, such as libraries. It is also not recommended in people who are already very excitable. since they can be overexcited.

However, it is common for it to be used to paint houses that want to generate dynamism and activity. In clothing it is common to express closeness, activity or strength, although on the contrary it can also be counterproductive if we are in situations such as job interviews since it is linked to lack of control, little commitment and the little capacity to reflection. Likewise, it is common in the case of females to be used in dresses or lipsticks. as an element of distinction and sensuality.

In the world of marketing, its association with power and activity often leads various brands to use it with products. It has also been seen to stimulate action, thoughtless behavior and consumerism, being used to improve the probability of purchase. It is also often used in products for a young and vital audience. It has also been observed that it is a color that tends to stimulate hunger and intake, which is common in food brands. Finally, it is usually used to signal danger due to its high eye-catching, usually mixed with black or yellow.

And in other cultures and moments?

We have seen the meaning attributed to the color red at a general level, but the truth is that in different regions of the world the symbolism of this color can vary to different degrees.

For instance, in China it is seen as a color of good luck and long life, being usual its use in celebrations to attract them. In India it is also associated with marriage, fertility, purity and power. It is usually used at weddings, being a color associated with the clothes of the goddess Lakshmi (goddess of good luck, beauty and wealth). In South Africa it is used as the color of mourning.

Historically, in cultures and societies that have always lived in conditions of intense cold, the color red is mostly a symbol of positivity and life, due to its link with heat. Among them we can highlight Russia.

On the contrary, in cultures where heat is a reason for suffering or even death it can be seen as a negative symbol. Specifically, in ancient Egypt red was considered to be the symbol of evil and destruction, although it could also symbolize life and regeneration.

In the Europe of the Middle Ages it had a double reading; on the one hand the red was related with evil and guilt (being many redheaded women accused of being witches and burned at the stake), while on the other hand the color of the blood symbolized Jesus Christ and the idea of ​​sacrifice and redemption. In fact, that is why the Pope's clothes were red and today the cardinals wear that color. It also ended up being associated with the feminine, an association that is still in force today.