Red is a striking and vibrant color that is found throughout nature and human-made objects. Things appear red due to the way they absorb and reflect light waves. When an object absorbs all light except for wavelengths in the red spectrum, it appears red to our eyes. There are many common things around us that exhibit the color red. In this article, we will explore some natural and man-made things that typically look red.
Things in nature that are red
In the plant kingdom, there are many flowers, fruits, vegetables, and trees that are known for their red color. Some examples include:
- Roses – Red roses are the most iconic red flower and a symbol of love and romance.
- Strawberries – These sweet, juicy berries are a summertime favorite.
- Cherries – Both sweet cherries and sour cherries come in shades of red.
- Apples – Certain apple varieties like Red Delicious and McIntosh have red skins.
- Tomatoes – Fully ripe tomatoes are a deep red color.
- Radishes – These root vegetables have bright red skins and white flesh inside.
- Red peppers – Bell peppers and chili peppers come in red varieties.
- Poinsettias – The leaves on these seasonal plants turn bright red.
- Maple trees – In autumn, the leaves on maple trees like red maples turn vibrant red.
- Bloodroot – A spring wildflower with dark red stems and petals.
The red color in plants is produced by pigments such as lycopene and anthocyanins. These pigments help attract pollinating insects and birds and protect plants from too much sunlight.
Red animals
While not as common, there are also some striking red colors found in the animal kingdom:
- Cardinal – These songbirds have bright red feathers, especially the males.
- Ladybugs – The most recognizable red insect with black spots.
- Red fox – These foxes have beautiful reddish-orange fur.
- Flamingos – Flamingos get their pink to reddish color from their diet of brine shrimp and algae.
- Red panda – An adorable mammal with reddish-brown fur and a big bushy tail.
- Scarlet tanager – A tropical bird with vivid red body plumage.
- Cochineal insect – This parasite produces the natural red dye carmine.
The red coloration serves different purposes in the animal kingdom – from attracting mates, to camouflage, to warding off predators.
Common red food and drinks
Many foods and beverages derived from natural red plants and fruits are red themselves:
- Red wines – Made from dark red grapes.
- Maraschino cherries – Cherries preserved in a sugar syrup.
- Pomegranate juice – Juice from the red seeds of pomegranates.
- Beet juice – The juice extracted from red beets.
- Pink lemonade – A combination of lemon juice, water, and red fruit juices.
- Red Velvet cake – Gets its color from cocoa and red food dyes.
- Hot sauce – Many hot sauces like sriracha contain red peppers.
- Cranberry juice – Made from tart red cranberries often blended with other fruit juices.
The natural plant pigments that give many fruits and vegetables their red color are also present in their derivative foods and drinks.
Man-made objects that are red
Humans have created many important symbols, products, and items that have a red color:
- Red stop sign – Universally signifies stop or danger.
- Fire trucks and engines – Painted bright red for high visibility.
- Red cross – The worldwide symbol of medical aid and services.
- Santa Claus outfit – Includes a red coat and hat trimmed in white.
- Red carpet – Used at celebrity events and premieres.
- Coca Cola – The famous soda brand has red branding and logos.
- YouTube play button – The iconic YouTube play button logo is red.
- Solo Cups – These ubiquitous party cups are red.
- Corvettes – The classic American sports car often comes in red.
The color red grabs people’s attention, which makes it effective for important symbols, warnings, and branding elements.
Conclusion
Red is an eye-catching color that nature has produced through pigments in many flowers, fruits, vegetables, and animals. The natural sources of red inspire its use in food, drinks, dyes, and pigments. Humans have also embraced the color red for critical symbols and branding due to its high visibility. Red is a versatile color that serves many purposes across the natural world and human societies. So the next time you see something red, think about the science, nature, and psychology behind why this vibrant color is so widespread.