Red: China’s Color of Fire and Celebration

Why is red so important to the Chinese culture and what special powers does it hold?

Just as that little black dress and a string of pearls will see most women in the western part of the world through almost any occasion, wearing something red at any Chinese function is never a mistake.

Red is always associated with happiness and good fortune and is symbolic of fire and power to ward off evil spirits (who never, by the way, wear red).

Red is a color the Chinese utilize in many ways. Houses are often adorned with something red such as red paper-cuts, and the red character “福”, which appears on doors when celebrating the Spring Festival or a wedding.

At a traditional Chinese wedding a bride wears red as well, although she may wear white at the beginning of the celebration, which may or not be a product of western influence.

Popular western connotations associated with the color, such as waving a red flag, to see red, etc. do not exist in the Orient.

Red is vibrant, beauty and life, and no one exploits its promise more than the Chinese who drench themselves in its fire on every possible occasion.

Red represents the endless pulse of a nation; the blaze of passion, glory and hope.

Throughout Chinese history, red has always been an aesthetic consideration, regardless of age, gender, rank or class when deciding what to wear or how to decorate for a special occasion.

Red is the passion and pride of China.

Things may come and go, but red in China is here to stay.