Red color has a more active influence in human psychology than any other color. This impact is both positive and negative. It excites, motivates to action, gives strength and energy. And at the same time it causes aggression and irritation. Typically, red is the favorite color of those who strive for leadership positions. Who else likes red? How to use it correctly in life?
What does red mean in psychology?
The meaning of red in psychology:
- symbolize excitement;
- stimulates brain activity;
- has an irritating effect;
- lifts the mood;
- color of leaders.
Red is traditionally perceived as the color of men. It represents energy and power.
We can distinguish the following signs of what the color red means in psychology:
- amorousness;
- sexuality;
- passion;
- force;
- speed;
- desire;
- strength.
From a psychological point of view, the color red symbolizes an active need for action and to achieve success.
Shades also have negative qualities. Among them the following stand out:
- aggressiveness;
- danger;
- violence;
- imperiousness.
Red describes a feeling of satisfaction with the way a person strives to achieve success. It improves performance.
Green – life and harmony!
Green is the opposite of red. It symbolizes hope, freshness, calm, stability, peace, youth, harmony, awakening and life. For the human eye, green is the most familiar and comfortable color, because the earth is filled with green color: foliage, grass, vegetation, forest. Green color calms, heals nerves and fatigue.
Of course, there is another opinion about green, otherwise such an expression as “melancholy green” would not have appeared, but such oversaturation can happen to any color if there is too much of it. Some people perceive green as too calm and passive.
You can't find a better color in clothes if you want to sit confidentially with friends or win someone over.
If a woman's favorite color is red
Shades of red are popular among the fairer sex. If a woman’s favorite color is red, then this indicates the following qualities:
- sociability;
- energy;
- love;
- enterprise.
The shade is loved by business women who are practical. It is often chosen by representatives of the fairer sex who live one day at a time. This color is preferred by women who strive for a rich and luxurious life.
The main meaning in the psychology of the color red is that a woman is prone to flirting and playing.
Warm shades are loved by bright representatives of the fairer sex. They want to be noticed. They are preferred by restless women. They are often prone to risk and aggression.
Choice of stars
Famous people, movie and pop stars are used to attracting glances. Therefore, they often choose red dresses for special occasions. This is how Charlize Theron appeared at the 2021 Oscars in a red Dior dress.
If a man likes red
Since red in psychology is more associated with masculine energy, it is popular among representatives of the stronger half of humanity. Men like the color red because it symbolizes strength and assertiveness. He is loved by brave and energetic people, who express a sense of superiority over others.
Men who love red have an increased libido. They are sexy and loving. Those who choose this shade strive for success. Confident representatives of the stronger sex love him. They have a strong need for recognition and wealth. They love luxurious life. At the same time, they are characterized by practicality.
Often, lovers of the color red are distinguished by their willpower, which in its extreme manifestation is expressed in a tendency to violence and suppression. Such men are often dangerous and unpredictable. They are distinguished by their explosive nature, because they are accustomed to solving all issues with the help of strength and power. Often such men are physically developed, they are fast, impulsive and passionate.
The color in question is typical for amorous men. They are easily excitable. Red is chosen by men with leadership and organizational qualities.
Why does a child love red?
Numerous studies in psychology indicate that warm shades are especially popular among children. They choose them more often than other color options. One of the reasons why children like the color red is because of their visual perception. Bright colors are more pleasant for children than cold ones. Red symbolizes something light, pure and bright for a child. Cold color options are usually perceived as something unpleasant and unloved.
Red shades are especially loved by children in the age group of 4-10 years. The gender of the child does not play a role.
If a child loves the color red, then this indicates the following qualities:
- activity;
- sociability;
- impressionability.
Children are guided by their impressions. They associate warm shades with positive emotions. They make them happy and attract children's attention.
A little history
Initially, fabrics were dyed with natural dyes, which they learned to extract approximately 4 thousand years BC. Phoenician artisans obtained red pigment from insects (a type of aphid) that lived on the leaves of oak trees. The Egyptians obtained red from the heads of red-orange sunflower flowers. The cochineal beetle, which lives on the leaves of the prickly pear cactus, also became the source of this color.
Unfortunately, the pigments obtained in this way were not durable. To fix the color, tin or aluminum alum was used. This technology has become secret. In the 1500s, the most successful export of red in history began. It was associated with the delivery of precious paint to Europe by the Spanish conquistadors. For several centuries the Spaniards kept this secret technology. The scarlet color was highly valued throughout the world. And the sale of red fabrics brought good money. Kings and wealthy Europeans were willing to pay a fortune for the red cloth.
In the 19th century synthetic red pigment was invented. The first artificial dyes were named after two cities in Italy - magenta and solferino. Whatever the red dye is made of, it remains popular in any era and does not lose its meaning: courage, passion, war, perseverance. The rich palette of red shades hides a special power that emphasizes and reflects the spirit of the times and the cultural characteristics of the eras.
What does the color red symbolize in clothing?
Often, clothes with shades of red for the wardrobe are chosen by people striving for leadership, “stubborn” by nature. The color red in clothes helps you feel confident. People who actively fight for their rights often have it in their wardrobe. Things of this color range are preferred by people who strive to create.
A wardrobe containing red and pink things is chosen on a subconscious level by those people who are characterized by dynamism. A person wearing clothes of such tones is often distinguished by perseverance. Pioneers love red clothes.
Shades of red are associated with success and prosperity. Those who love bright red clothes subconsciously strive for power. They have a strong will to win. They usually achieve all the goals they set for themselves.
Lovers of bright red clothes are always on the move. At the same time, such things speak of the passion of nature. A person is a maximalist in expressing his feelings. He can either passionately and selflessly love or hate.
It is interesting to know what psychology says about a person whose image is dominated by red in combination with other colors:
- Combination with blue. Indicates business excitement that is suppressed. Emphasizes the desire for any activity. Emphasizes the need for new experiences. Symbolizes the desire for pleasure and impatience.
- Combination with green. Emphasizes slight excitement. Indicates the desire to achieve a goal. Characterizes the desire to overcome all obstacles and difficulties on the way to achieving the chosen goal. There is a great desire for approval and recognition of one’s merits from other people. Symbolizes stress against the background of self-esteem, which is inadequate.
- Combination with yellow. Indicates increased excitement, anxiety and suspiciousness. In psychology, it symbolizes optimism. A sign of passion for something. Shows a desire for contact with people. Characterizes the need to expand the scope of possible activities. The desire to justify oneself.
- Combination with purple. Indicates that arousal has become increased. Emphasizes an unhealthy passion for something or someone. Symbolizes a strong desire to draw attention to one’s own person. Indicates helplessness and a need for sympathy.
- Combination with brown. Indicates a bad mood. A sign of great sadness and frustration due to failure. Symbolizes an acute reluctance to lose everything that was previously achieved. Indicates lack of self-confidence
- Combination with black. It is a sign of anger, very bad mood, anxiety and powerlessness. Symbolizes the desire to overcome all the consequences of the current unfavorable situation.
- Combination with gray. Indicates complete dissatisfaction. It is a sign that a person is ready to commit some risky act. Symbolizes the beginning of nervous exhaustion.
In psychology, the presence of red things in a wardrobe sometimes indicates a person’s selfishness.
Lucky Bows
With a red sweater you can create many interesting outfits for relaxing, walking and playing sports.
- Business style : a red sweater does not fit into formal looks, but if the company has adopted a relaxed clothing style, then it will be possible to include a bright wardrobe item in a business look. For example, you can wear a light gray suit with a white shirt and a cherry pullover made of fine knitwear. Accessories include black derby shoes, a tie that matches the shoe, and a dark gray business briefcase.
- For a trip to nature : combine dark blue jeans with a charcoal shirt, a dark crimson cardigan and a purple quilted vest. Accessories: brown leather boots with high laces.
- Summer look : Wear dark blue denim shorts with a light gray T-shirt and a tomato-colored open cardigan. Let's pair the set with suede loafers in a dark chocolate shade, and wear the shoes without socks.
- Elegant and sporty : wear dark gray chinos with a snow-white long-sleeve T-shirt and a two-tone bomber jacket. The main color of the bomber jacket is red and the sleeves are black. Brown leather boots and a navy blue silk scarf with a subtle white print will complete the look.
- Autumn look : wear black chinos with a plaid shirt in red and green tones and a thin coral knitted jumper with thin white horizontal stripes. Additional elements - beige warm parka, dark brown boots.
- Bright look : combine cherry-colored jeans with a dark red hoodie and a short dark blue down jacket without a collar (we wear the hood of the hoodie over the hoodie). Complete the look with black leather boots and a brown leather belt.
