Red is a bold, attention-grabbing color that is associated with energy, passion, and excitement. Many popular things across various categories are red, from objects and foods to animals and plants. Red is one of the three primary colors, along with blue and yellow, and it occupies an important place in color theory. Psychologically, red is known to stimulate appetite, increase heart rate and evoke feelings of romance and intimacy. Let’s explore some of the most popular things that are red in color.
Foods and Drinks
Some of the most popular foods and drinks that are red in color include:
| Apples | Strawberries | Cherries |
| Tomatoes | Red peppers | Radishes |
| Red grapes | Pomegranates | Watermelon |
| Red velvet cake | Red licorice | Cinnamon red hots |
| Wine | Cranberry juice | Cherry soda |
Apples, strawberries and cherries are juicy red fruits that are popular snacks and dessert ingredients. Tomatoes, red bell peppers and radishes add vibrant red color to salads and other dishes. Red grapes, pomegranates and watermelon are refreshing, hydrating red fruits. Red velvet cake, red licorice and cinnamon red hots are classic red-colored sweets. Wine, cranberry juice and cherry soda are popular red-hued beverages. The red color of these foods and drinks comes from pigments such as lycopene, anthocyanins and other flavonoids.
Objects
Many popular man-made objects are red, including:
| Fire engines | Fire hydrants | Stop signs |
| Traffic cones | Toolboxes | Mailboxes |
| Telephones | Toasters | Sports cars |
Fire engines, fire hydrants and stop signs are red for high visibility. Traffic cones and toolboxes use red to stand out as well. Mailboxes, telephones and toasters incorporate red as an accent color. Sports cars like Ferraris and Lamborghinis often come in red. The bright, bold red color grabs people’s attention on these objects.
Symbols
Some popular symbols and logos that contain red include:
| Red Cross | Red Crescent | Red Star |
| YouTube Play Button | Target Bullseye | Coca-Cola Logo |
| McDonald’s Arches | Netflix Logo | Santa Claus Suit |
The Red Cross and Red Crescent are globally recognized humanitarian symbols. The red star is a historic emblem of communism. YouTube’s red play button rewards popular channels, while Target’s red bullseye and McDonald’s red arches are iconic retail logos. Santa Claus’ red suit makes him easily identifiable. Red adds a sense of urgency, passion and excitement to these symbolic images.
Places
Popular places and landmarks that are red include:
| The Red Square in Moscow | Ayers Rock in Australia | Red Fort in Delhi |
| Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco | Red Rock Canyon in Nevada | Sedona in Arizona |
| Bryce Canyon in Utah | Zhangye Danxia Landform in China | Redwood Forests |
The Red Square and Kremlin showcase Russia’s heritage. Ayers Rock and the Red Centre region display Australia’s rugged Outback landscapes. Delhi’s Red Fort and India’s Red Corridor highlight the nation’s history. In the U.S., the rust-colored Golden Gate Bridge, Red Rock Canyon, red sandstone formations in Sedona and Bryce Canyon, and majestic redwood forests demonstrate America’s diverse ecosystems and scenery. China’s rainbow-colored Danxia landforms and legendary redwood forests also attract tourists. The red hues of these destinations evoke feelings of adventure and wilderness.
Plants
Many plants, flowers and trees are red, such as:
| Roses | Tulips | Poppies |
| Poinsettias | Carnations | Cardinal flowers |
| Hibiscus | Fuchsia | Redwood trees |
Roses are iconic red flowers given to symbolize love. Red tulips represent perfect, enduring love. Poppies are used to commemorate veterans. Poinsettias are popular Christmas plants. Carnations and cardinal flowers add bright red accents to gardens and bouquets. Hibiscus and fuchsia are tropical red-flowering plants. Majestic coast redwood trees grow tall along the Pacific coast. Red pigments like anthocyanins provide the color in red flowers and plants.
Animals
Some animals with reddish coloring include:
| Cardinal birds | Red pandas | Scarlet macaws |
| Ladybugs | Lobsters | Red foxes |
| Flamingos | Red deer | Orangutans |
Male cardinal birds have bright red plumage. The endangered red panda has reddish-brown fur. Scarlet macaws are dramatic red, yellow and blue tropical birds. Ladybugs and lobsters have reddish spots and shells. Foxes have reddish-brown fur, while flamingos get their pink hue from their diet. Red deer and orangutans also have reddish coloring. This red pigmentation comes from carotenoid pigments in their food or as camouflage.
Fashion and Beauty
In fashion and beauty, popular red items include:
| Red lipstick | Red dresses | Red heels |
| Red nail polish | Red shirts and ties | Red hair dye |
| Red bags | Red socks | Red jeans |
Red lipstick is a makeup staple. Red dresses, from ruby gowns to scarlet sheath dresses, make bold fashion statements. High red heels and red-soled Louboutins are trendy. Red nail polish is a classic choice. Men’s’ red neckties and red dress shirts project power. Red hair dye provides an eye-catching color change. Red leather handbags and backpacks pop against neutral outfits. Red jeans and red socks add flair to casual looks. Red conveys glamour, vibrancy, and charm in fashion.
Culture
The color red symbolizes important ideas in culture:
| Danger | Passion | Energy |
| Love | Luck | Happiness |
| Courage | Strength | Power |
Red conveys danger, stop, and warning. It also represents passion, desire, and deep emotions like love and courage. The lively color signifies energy, movement, and excitement. In Asian cultures, red symbolizes luck, happiness and prosperity. Red is associated with intensity and power in all its forms. The rich color psychology and symbolism of red make it culturally significant worldwide.
History
Red holds importance in history:
| Red coats of British soldiers | Red army of the Soviet Union | Red Baron fighting plane |
| The Red Army Faction | Red Scare era in America | Red Guards of China |
| Red states in U.S. elections | The Red Planet Mars | Red letter days |
In the 18th and 19th centuries, British soldiers and the Redcoats were famous. The Bolsheviks’ Red Army later battled Russian Whites. Germany’s Red Baron was an acclaimed World War I fighter pilot. The radical left-wing Red Army Faction operated in West Germany. America’s anti-communist Red Scare happened during the Cold War, as did China’s radical Red Guards. In U.S. politics today, Republican states are called red states. Mars’s reddish appearance earned it the nickname “Red Planet.” Red letter days mark important historical anniversaries.
Conclusion
In summary, red is a vibrant color that attracts attention. Many of the world’s most popular objects, symbols, places, plants, animals, and cultural associations are red. Red pigments in nature create reddish hues that stand out against green foliage. The color psychology of red drives its popularity across foods, fashion, cosmetics, visual arts, marketing, sports, politics, flags, decor and more. Red’s bold energy makes it universally eye-catching and evocative.