Red Is the First Color We Recognize
The first color that an infant recognizes is red because it has the longest wavelength on the color spectrum. This can happen within weeks of birth, but they perceive more colors from around 2 to 4 months. Red and green are typically the colors that they recognized first.
My Relationship with Red
I don’t hate red, but I am selective with it. When I was 10 years old, we had nasty car accident. A drunk driver ran a red light and t-boned our little red Mazda. Our car flipped and rolled before the engine caught fire.
Back then, there were no seatbelts in the back seats, so my little 7-year-old friend and I were tossed around until the car came to a stop against a fence.
Witnesses were amazing and pulled my mom, myself, and my friend out of the car. Apart from cuts and bruises, we were surprisingly okay, but I’m not fond of red cars.
Maybe it’s the memory of the accident or perhaps hearing my mom’s screams. I don’t know but I will never buy a red car.
Red Says Stop!
Red has the longest wavelength and will appear closer than it really is. This fact attracts our attention.
It shouts, “Look at me.” Therefore, red is the perfect color for road signs and traffic lights. It grabs our attention.
Red Is Associated with Attraction and Power
In a small study at the University of Rochester, 27 young men were presented with red framed pictures of women and white framed pictures of women.
Most of the men thought that the women in the red framed pictures were more attractive than those in the white frames. It proves that color influences our choices, mood and emotions.
It's not surprising then that we associate red as a strong passionate color. We often associated it with valentine’s day, romance, and love.
Red and Appetite
When we see red, it raises our blood pressure, heart rate and pulse. It also makes us hungry because it increases our metabolism. This is why so many restaurants add red to their marketing and logo designs.
Three Interesting Facts and Myths About Red
1. Red Has Cultural Symbolism
In China, red symbolizes good luck, good fortune, a long life, and prosperity. Chinese brides will typically wear red on their wedding day.
On Chinese New Year, people put money in red envelopes to give as gifts to their loved ones. It’s the predominant color for this holiday.
2. Bulls Don’t Hate Red
Bull fighting is the most heinous sport involving animals that I can think of. It’s cruel and I dearly wish that it’s banned.
The myth is that the bull hates red and that is why he charges the matador’s cape (muleta). Bulls don’t hate red. They don’t recognize the color. They can’t see red. It’s the taunting movement of the muleta that triggers them.
Cattle in general are partially color blind. Receptors in their eyes only translate blue, green, violet and yellow.
One of the reasons why the muleta are red, is to hide the bull’s blood as it stains the cape.
3. Wear Red in February and Support Heart Health
America has a National Wear Red Day. On the first Friday of February, we are encouraged to wear red to recognize American Heart Month.
It aims at spreading awareness about heart disease and stroke in women.
It doesn’t matter how you wear the color. It could be a red lipstick, red shoes, red clothing, red accessories, or anything else that highlights the cause.
Choose Your Mood
So, next time you consider red, think about how it will affect your mood. Color influence is mostly subtle but always impactful. I’m always amazed by it.
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