Spiritual Meaning Of Colors: Red
Red: Red is the first color that can be seen by the human eye in the color spectrum. Red emits a rather coarse energy that is basic and stimulating. It has the longest wavelength of the visible colors in the spectrum. It represents passion, strength, conquest, vigor, action, vitality and power. It also stimulates primal levels of survival issues. It is an exciting color, and it drives and challenges people. Red is the most often used color in flags for it makes a strong statement. It might not surprise us that the very life force in our veins is the color red.
A person who is going into a challenging situation, or a circumstance where an argument might arise, red is a good color to wear if one wants the upper hand. Red can be an intimidating color. Red makes things happen. It blows apart feelings of self-pity, drudgery, melancholy, indifference and depression. It creates enthusiasm and aggressiveness. Ancient Romans used red flags to signal battle. Similarly, in India, red is the symbol for a soldier. According to Richard Cavendish, editor in chief of Man Myth And Magic, Vol 2 (1985), “red represents energy, lust, passing anger, and vitality. Red is said to be the color of fire and blood and has been associated with war, danger, strength, power, determination, as well as passion, desire, and love.”
Red can chase away the cold, bring better circulation of the blood,
and it also arouses sexuality. It is no mistake that it is the primary
color used on Valentines Day. It denotes deep commitment and passion
in love, and triggers that love into physical expression. The giving
of a red rose symbolizes love, beauty, and respect. (www.gardensner.com) Even
as red can signal anger, it also signals love, and can be a very happy
color. Red is symbolic of stimulation, marriage, strength, love, lust,
power, fertility, and health (www.northerncandles.theshoppe.com/candle_color_meanings.html). In
China red is used in weddings as a good luck charm, while in South Africa
red is the color of mourning. (www.color-wheel-pro.com/color-meaning.html).
Red can be used to prompt people to make quick decisions and get the attention of others. Red is a color of leadership and high energy. In conjunction with the aura, red symbolizes materialistic thoughts. In the medicinal field, red can be used for bringing on warmth and burning out cancer. Red boosts human metabolism, increases respiration rate, and raises blood pressure (Luscher, 1969). Red represents the fire element and is the color of the Root Chakra. The gemstones embodying red qualities are garnet, ruby, red jasper, rose quartz, red coral, bloodstone, aragonite, and fire agate. The website www.crystal-cure.com states, “For healing, these stones are said to be excellent for anemia and other blood deficiencies. Red offers a healing vibration for emaciation, depression or lethargy.”
Ted Andres, in his book How To Heal With Color (1992), states, “Red is a stimulating color… It warms and it activates. It awakens our physical life force. It can be used for colds, poor circulation and mucus ailments,” as well as raise body temperature and increase blood flow. It also strengthens a person’s physical energy and will, as well as stimulate deeper passions in sex, love, courage, hatred or revenge. Andres explains, “Too much red can over stimulate and aggravate conditions. High blood pressure is an indication of too much red energy within the system.” Red assists in the healing of acne, AIDS (with indigo and violet, followed by pink and gold), anemia, low blood pressure, colds, pneumonia, and soft reds help with menstrual problems.
Rosy Red: Rose is a higher octave of red. Red has to do with physical love, but rose has to do with the love that transcends human versions of love. It is representative of the ability to hold divine love, unconditional love, and compassion for fellow humans and animals. This is a more mature kind of love. Not only is it not as deep a vibration as the color red, but rose represents feelings of a finer spiritual value. Rose represents understanding, sympathy and mercy. The ability to have empathy (stand in someone else’s shoes and experience their pain) is also represented by rose, or pink. It also represents forgiveness and softness toward others, tolerance, as well as fun, laughter, and creative power. It is also associated with sharing and devotion.
Clear Red: Clear red is representative of moving anger.
Light Red: Light red is a symbol of joy, sexuality, sensitivity, passion, and love.
Dark Red: Dark red represents willpower, rage, and courage.
Reddish Brown: Reddish Brown is associated with the harvest.
Red Orange: Ted Andres, in his book How To Heal With Color (1992), states, red orange can assist in the healing of low blood pressure and hayfever.