A person lives in a multi-colored world filled with hundreds of colors and thousands of their shades. But red is not just one of the many colors, it can be called the main, the most significant. And in terms of the strength of its effect on a person, it surpasses all other colors. It is not for nothing that the concepts of “beauty” and “paint”, that is, color in general, are associated with its name. And scientists believe that our distant ancestors were the first to highlight the red color in the colorful palette of the world, although there are not so many natural objects of this shade.
Physiological effects of red
It would seem that color is just the coloring of objects, but in fact it is energy, light radiation of a certain wavelength. And as light energy, color affects the physiological processes in our body. The study of this amazing fact began precisely with red, as the most potent color.
Red has the longest wavelength of all colors in the visible spectrum – 780 nm. Only infrared radiation, which we perceive as heat, has more. And red is also called hot, not only because of the strength of the radiation, but also because of the specific effect on the human body.
Warming, energizing and fierce color
Studies of the effect of red on the human body were carried out throughout the 20th century both in our country and abroad.
The well-known Russian expert in the field of color B. A. Bazyma writes that numerous data have proved that shades of red have a strong effect on the autonomic nervous system, and through it on the work of many internal organs. First of all, we are talking about the cardiovascular system, it is not for nothing that since ancient times the color red has been associated with blood.
If a person is placed in the red room for a while, then he has:
- blood pressure rises;
- heart rate and breathing increase;
- then he gets hot, as if the color around him really warms.
The red color also activates the production of saliva, and the person begins to feel hungry. But under the influence of this color, a person does not enjoy food, but eats a lot, greedily and quickly, in a hurry to finish with a meal and leave, because red encourages activity. That is why the owners of some restaurants devote a lot of space to red in the interior.
The red color also activates the processes associated with reproductive activity, therefore, women’s red underwear excites men in this way.
Red in medicine
The energy of red has long been used in medicine, as described in ancient medical treatises. But for a long time, doctors were skeptical about this information, considering the advice of healers of the past to be quackery. And only numerous studies conducted since the middle of the last century have proved the following.
- Radiation of a red-orange color really has a beneficial effect on the body in cases of measles, scarlet fever and some skin diseases.
- Red radiation, not to mention infrared, has been successfully used to treat neuralgia.
- This color helps very well in the treatment of children with anemia, weakened and apathetic.
- Red and orange are essential for the normal mental and physical development of children.
Psychology of red
Despite the centuries-old practice of using red for medicinal purposes, it has not yet received widespread use in modern medicine. But in psychotherapy, color therapy has been used for a long time and successfully. But this color has such a great power of influence on the psyche that it must be used with caution.
The psychological impact of red
The emotional sphere, more precisely, the processes of excitation and inhibition, primarily reacts to the color effect. “Hot” colors, red-orange shades excite our nervous system, but their effect is not limited to this.
- Red is the most exciting of all colors in the spectrum. In this case, the level of arousal can be such that it begins to manifest itself as excessive irritability, irascibility and even aggression. Therefore, psychologists advise not to abuse red in your environment, for example, in the interior of residential premises and offices.
- Red tones up, increases activity and efficiency. But this is experienced as a strong, relatively short-lived surge. Activity under the influence of this color quickly causes feelings of fatigue and irritation. It is not suitable for long-term productive activity.
- Red is one of the brightest and most visible colors and is often perceived as a warning of danger. Perhaps the association of this color with fire played a role here. Even the modern word “red” comes from the ancient Russian “kres” – fire. And the original name of the color was translated as “fiery”, “bright”, “shining”.
It should be noted that the psychological impact of flowers has nothing to do with cultural traditions, it is typical for all people, regardless of nationality. Even higher animals show the same psychophysiological reactions to red as humans.
If you like red
The preference for one color or another speaks not so much about our taste as about mood, character and needs.
- The color red is chosen by people who are energetic, striving for vigorous activity, and have the ability to lead.
- This color is preferred by people of strong-willed, purposeful and ready to overcome any obstacles on the way to the goal. Therefore, they are often characterized by such qualities as selfishness, self-confidence and cruelty.
- Red is associated with sexuality and, chosen by men, it indicates their need to demonstrate masculinity, focus on their sexual role.
- The same can be said for a woman. By choosing red, she emphasizes her need to dominate her sexual partner. A woman putting on red underwear goes hunting. She is a predator who perceives a man she likes as legal prey. But her activity in sexual relations, emancipation and openness often attracts strong men.
Red symbolism
Our attitude to color is largely due to cultural traditions and symbolism that has been formed over the course of many centuries. But since each generation gave birth to its own symbols, the meanings of red in modern culture are diverse and contradictory.
- In our world, the oldest symbolism of this color is also recognized, which is associated with blood, aggression and struggle.
- And at the same time, red is a symbol of sexual energy, love and vitality. That is why the bride of the ancient Slavs wore a red dress. These meanings also go back to ancient cultural traditions and are characteristic of all peoples.
- In Christian culture, red is a symbol of a sacred sacrifice, the blood of Christ, shed by him in the name of saving people. And at the same time, red is the color of the Day of the Last Judgment and a symbol of retribution for sins.
- This is the oldest color of power and strength. In this sense, it is used in European heraldry.
- Red color – warning about danger and possible threat.
If you take a closer look at the world around you, you will understand that in our environment, as well as in nature, red is quite rare. Flickering in a crowd or among a stream of cars, he immediately attracts attention. And this is not surprising, because red is a very strong color, oversaturated with energy, so people use it infrequently, dosed, intuitively understanding its aggressive effect on the psyche.
