Photo Courtesy of Heather Dillaway

Red is my favorite color by far. Autumn is my favorite season. Autumn brings out the true essence of red. As I watch the leaves start to turn it’s hard not to think about the true power of the color.

 

It symbolizes transitions and cycles, regardless of whether we are talking about seasons or menstruation or anything else. It is a marker of change in that way.

It is warm and inviting but also dangerous sometimes.

It incites action (as in making bulls charge).

It can make people stop (as in red lights and stop signs).

It can instill caution (as in, “Caution, HOT!” or “Please use this product as directed” or “Do Not Enter”).

It can mark mistakes (as in grading incorrect responses) or stand in for punishment (as in the Scarlett Letter).

It can be representative of leaks (as in menstrual accidents) and first sexual activity (as in spotting because of the breaking of a hymen).

It is emotion (as in anger, embarrassment).

It is exertion (as in flushed, sweaty skin after a workout).

It is representative of symptoms (as in rashes or infected spots).

It signifies ideal feminine beauty (as in red lipstick or red nail polish), even sexiness and/or sexual desire (as in red high heels).

It symbolizes fertility (as in the Handmaid’s tale).

It can mean exclusion and celebration simultaneously (as in the red tent).

It symbolizes vulnerability (as in Red Riding Hood).

It can mean death (as in bloodshed).

It can represent life (as there is nothing more vital than blood itself).

It can mean fun (as in the Red Hat Society).

It stands in for love (as in hearts and roses for Valentine’s Day).

It can mean something is ripe or mature (as in a red apple or red strawberry).

It can stand in for communism or particular countries (as in China, for example).

It can mean drug prevention (as in the Red Ribbon campaign).

The list could go on and on….what am I missing?

As I live in my favorite season with my favorite color all around me, it is hard to miss the true power of red.

Simple Follow Buttons