Red, historically, has come to symbolize a great many emotions. In religion and popular culture red has been used to indicate passion, anger, guilt, as well as violence and sin. With such a history working with it, red has become a very racy color in our culture and cultures throughout the world. Phrases such as “caught red handed” and “red light district” were all born from this association with the color red. Yet, there is an undeniable beauty to the color red as well. We use red roses to symbolize our love for other people, and even the Greeks thought of this color as a symbol of true and undying love. Apart from all romantic connotations, red is also defined as color of courage and sacrifice. This is evident just from viewing any number of national flags and in popular novels such as The Red Badge of Courage. If you are an avid Roman scholar, you will find it interest to learn that red was the color traditionally associated with the God of War, Mars. Romans would always place a red mantle over the shoulders of a general who returned to the capital city after a successful campaign. With such a rich history, red paintings that incorporated such themes and tones will make a powerful statement. Yet, in the red artwork of the East, red has a very different connotation.
In Chinese cultures red symbolizes very different attributes. In traditional Chinese belief, red symbolizes the powerful natural element of fire. Fire itself is associated with courage, loyalty, honor, success, fortune, happiness and fertility. Red is also associated with the joy of new unions through marriage. In India the association with marriage continues, as it is seen as the color of married women, and traditionally prominent in wedding dresses. Hindus will also note that this color is the color of wealth, beauty and the beautiful goddess Lakshmi.
Red is a primary color, and as such, it is particularly bright and eye catching. It is complementary to shades of cyan, and has a dynamic and fascinating history, not just culturally, but in the arts. Fauvists were famous for their brilliantly colored canvas paintings, incorporating many primary colors, but usually with a strong emphasis on the color red. Dadaists, too, recognized the power within this shade and used it largely in a symbolic manner and to add emphasis to their off beat designs and imaginings.
In this day and age, the possibilities for decorating with the color red are endless and dynamic. For a home that needs a splash of color, there is often no better choice than the deeply dramatic color red. Whether a home is awash in this color, or has a few red accents, the tone makes a statement that visitors will not soon forget. Red canvas art is the perfect way to incorporate such a tone into your decorative pattern.
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