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Red, The Colour of China

Their colours often symbolize the depths of meaning of national and organizational flags found around the world.

The deep waves of the Aegean Sea along with the crystalline snows of Mount Olympus inspired the colours of Greece––blue entwined with snow white. Brazil found green from its many verdant jungles, and yellow from the sun that looks down upon us all. Romantic countries often chose romantic colours, while green will be found included on many of the flags flown by Islamic states. Red, white and blue will be found in many flags of nations associated with or formerly associated with Great Britain. Red is a deeply symbolic colour used in flags of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent, yet the light blue used in the flag of the United Nations is said to have no particular significance at all, although its symbol does.

Red is the most significant colour in China, one of the world’s oldest civilizations, and this has been true since ancient times when red was considered a life-giving colour. Because of their identification with the oppressed people of the world, it was “a natural” for participants in the Chinese Revolution to choose red for their flags and other symbols during and since the revolution; the colour red had been hoisted by participants in revolutions in Europe dating back to at least the early 1800s and not the least in the Paris Commune (1871) or in the former USSR where red represented the worldwide proletarian revolution. In China, red has traditionally been considered a most-auspicious colour, often associated with luck and happiness.

No other country in the world can compare with China’s thoroughgoing exploitation of its most symbolic colour. On almost any occasion, important or otherwise, red, the colour of summer and of the South in antiquity, will be encountered. Brides traditionally have worn red silk veils (gaitou) to cover their elegant faces. Today brides wear red silk gowns or suits. Red bows (shoudai) sometimes festoon the chests of awardees at high occasions such as at annual company or government awards parties. People born in a specific Lunar New Year (such as the upcoming Year of the Pig) will be seen wearing red belts, red socks and even red underwear! Regardless of age, gender, wealth or rank, red is a consideration of all when deciding what to wear, how decorate or even how to think about an occasion. Red has been an active participant in China’s history.

Like life-giving flowing blood and the brilliant morning glow, the red of China pulsates endlessly, radiating with a passionate fire-like heat. Red is alive, inspiring, a dream-like passion that affects all aspects of Chinese life. Colour is essential to beauty, and beauty is essential to any culture’s aesthetic.

Red can be found nearly everywhere in Chinese culture, especially during the Spring Festival, when auspicious red couplets will be found on scrolls pasted on and over doorways for good luck. Red is the colour of the smallest red beans given as tokens of love, and red is the colour of the huge strong walls in the imperial palace’s 999 rooms. Red has melted into the soul of the Chinese nation; now red expresses the passion, pride and peace of this ancient country.

The vibrant red national flag waves proudly over Tian’anmen Square. In its shadow great developments of modern China are taking place, ushering in productive change, bringing new value to the positive importance of red.

With the rapidly approaching 2008 Olympic Games, the colour red will be prominently used to represent the nation. For example, the “Chinese Seal, Dancing Beijing” emblem of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games reflects the culture of China. The red emblem sings of the Middle Kingdom’s splendid past, vibrant present and flourishing future. Red breathes life into “Chinese Seal, Dancing Beijing,” with its power unceasing and its energy ever-increasing. The emblem is one of celebration, a proclamation of new beginnings, and, of course, an expression of China’s dreams.

Now, with the Chinese Lunar New Year is on its way, the country is getting prepared to drench itself in red. People will dress up in red, send red envelopes to children, and many traditional entertainment activities involving the colour red will begin, such as lion dancing, dragon dancing and fireworks displays.