Red is a prominent color in Chinese culture and traditions. From weddings to holidays, red symbolizes joy, luck, and prosperity. But why exactly is the color red so significant for Chinese people? Here we will explore the history, symbolism, and common uses for red in China.
The History and Symbolism of Red in China
Red has been an important color in China for thousands of years. During the Neolithic period, red ochre was used in burials, indicating it had spiritual significance. In ancient China, red dye was made from ochre and mercury sulphide for use in art, fabrics, and lacquerware. The rarity and expense of red dyes helped make the color a symbol of wealth and status.
Red came to take on more defined symbolic meanings over China’s long imperial history. Red was considered a noble color associated with prosperity and celebration. It represented life, fire, summer, and the southern direction. Red also symbolized happiness, beauty, virtue, and truth.
During the Tang dynasty, red became a color that warded off evil spirits. It was commonly worn by children for protection. Later dynastic periods continued to associate red with joy and luck. Emperors wore red robes and used red ink for official stamps. Red was featured extensively on banners, clothing, architecture, and decorations for auspicious events and holidays.
Red in Chinese Weddings
Today, red remains the preeminent color for Chinese weddings. Brides wear red wedding gowns and veils rather than white. This vibrant hue represents love, honor, and prosperity for the couple. The bride’s red dress is also thought to ward off evil.
Grooms may wear a red vest, sash, or outfit details. Red envelopes containing money or jewelry are given to the bride by the groom’s family. Red wedding decorations fill the venue with luck for the occasion. These include red candles, lanterns, banners, tablecloths, and more. The color red surrounds the bride and groom, showering the new marriage with felicity.
Red in Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year brings a vivid wash of red over cities and towns. Red is the quintessential color of this major holiday, which is also known as the Spring Festival.
Red lanterns and banners adorn streets, homes, and businesses. People wear red clothing and accessorize with red hats, jewelry, and hair decorations. Red envelopes filled with money are given as gifts to children and unmarried adults. Families decorate their homes with red paper cutouts, hang red Spring Festival couplets on their doors, and sticker red imagery on their windows.
Red is thought to bring luck, ward off evil spirits, and attract prosperity in the coming year. It symbolizes the passion and joy of the holiday. The vibrant color helps usher in the new year and seasonal renewal.
Red in Other Chinese Traditions
Beyond weddings and New Year, red permeates many other Chinese customs. Red is worn at birthday celebrations for luck and joyfulness. Chinese New Year paintings always feature bold red colors.
Red banners welcome guests at grand openings of businesses, along with firecrackers. Red lanterns are common in Chinatown districts. Red rice is eaten for special occasions like birthdays and weddings.
Giving a red envelope with money is a customary gift for holidays, weddings, graduations, and birthdays. The red color brings fortune and happiness.
Red in Modern China
While many traditional associations with red remain, the color has taken on some new meanings in modern China. Red was strongly associated with the communist revolution and Mao Zedong. It came to symbolize political ideology and patriotism. Images of red flags, books, scarves, and stars were common propaganda.
Today, red is sometimes viewed as loud, aggressive, or ostentatious rather than dignified. Many people prefer more muted reds or different colors altogether for events like weddings. Yet red still appears everywhere during Chinese New Year. It remains ingrained as a representation of China and its cultural identity.
Conclusion
Red has an extensive history of symbolism in China spanning thousands of years. It is most strongly associated with joy, fortune, warding off evil, passion, and celebration. Chinese people integrate red into weddings, holidays, blessings, gifts, and decorations. While red may have evolved some new connotations in the modern era, it remains an integral part of Chinese traditions and customs. The vibrant hue continues to be ubiquitous across Chinese culture.
