Red is a color that can make a statement. It’s a color that can convey love, passion, danger, and excitement.
From its role in Chinese culture to its use in warning signs, red has a lot of history and meaning behind it.
In this article, we’ll explore 30 wild facts about the color red that you may not know. So sit back, relax, and let’s dive into the world of red!
Red is the first primary color babies see. Newborns are so sensitive to light that they can initially only make out black, white, and shades of gray.
The color red is a crucial part of Chinese culture. It symbolizes happiness, beauty, good luck, and vitality.
The red stripes on the American flag stand for hardiness, valor, and courage. It also honors all the heroes who gave their lives in service to the nation.
The first red lipsticks were made over 5,000 years ago from crushed gemstones.
Red light has the longest wavelength on the visible color spectrum.
While most light disrupts your night vision, red light doesn’t. This is why some headlamps have a red light mode.
Red hair is the rarest type in the world. Natural redheads make up less than 2% of the world’s population.
Scotland has the world’s highest percentage of people with natural red hair (13%). Ireland is a close second with 10%.
The most valuable colored diamonds are red diamonds. Their brilliant color isn’t due to impurities; their crystal structure instead has deformities that bend light to make it appear red.
Long before Louboutin, red bottom heels were originally for men. In 1673, King Louis XIV started the trend of red bottom heels for French nobles.
We’ve all heard that bulls get angry at the color red, but bulls are actually color-blind, so they can’t even make out the color red. In a bullfight, the bull gets irritated by the movement of the cape, not its color.
Red pandas were named nearly 50 years earlier than the goofy black-and-white beasts we call giant pandas. They only share a name because of their mutual love for munching on bamboo.
Red objects grab your attention because of their longer wavelength, which makes the color easier to see from further away. That’s why it’s the perfect color for warning signs, stop signs, and traffic lights.
Wear red to grab your date’s attention. Studies show that men look more attractive to women when they wear red.
The Carolina Reaper is the hottest red pepper in the world. It’s rated at 2.2 million Scoville Heat Units (SHU). For reference, cayenne pepper is less than 50,000 SHU.
Red light reportedly treats skin problems like wrinkles, acne, and scars.
Almost all red wine gets its color from the skins and stems of the red grapes, as most red grape juice isn’t red – it’s white!
Red is the color of winners: studies show that sports teams wearing red uniforms won more games. Tiger Woods probably knew this hack, as we wore red for many final rounds and won.
Ever had the odd red devil eye in pictures? A reflective layer of blood vessels and pigments (choroid) at the back of your eyeball is responsible. It happens when light from the camera’s flash strikes this layer.
Foods colored red may contain crushed bugs, and no, it’s not a mistake! Cochineal insects are crushed up to make carmine, the most common red food dye.
The red pigment in your blood is due to hemoglobin. This protein also helps bind and transport oxygen in your body.
You don’t want to see the color red in the exam hall because it’s associated with poorer test scores.
If you’re up late reading, try using a red light. Studies have shown that red light does not affect your circadian clock, meaning you’ll fall asleep easier.
Krasny, the Russian word for red, has also historically meant beautiful.
Seeing the color red makes you eat more, which is why it’s so popular in restaurant decor. It also makes your heart beat faster and drives metabolism.
Most lobsters only turn red when cooked. This color change occurs due to the effect of heat on the pigment Crustacyanin.
Cabernet Sauvignon is the most popular variety of red wine.
Mars has reddish or rust-colored soil, earning it the nickname the Red Planet.
The Red Planet gains its coloring from the abundance of iron oxide on its surface.
Different colored gas flames burn at different temperatures, with red flames burning at around 1832°F (1000°C).
Red is a color that has been around for thousands of years, and it still continues to fascinate us today.
From the first red lipsticks made from crushed gemstones to the most valuable colored diamonds, red has always been a symbol of beauty, passion, and power.
Whether you’re a fan of the color red or not, there’s no denying its impact on our world!
