Red. It is a primary color that serves as the base to many other colors. It is the hue of the clay that oozes between our toes while walking along a river bank. It is often associated with feelings of passion, romance and heat. We stop for it at traffic lights and signals. It is the first color of the rainbow. As we notice variations of red weaved throughout our immediate environment we can observe the effects it has on our present moment.
When thinking about the color red, earth & fire comes to mind. When walking throughout a forest, notice that most features of the forest floor are more of light & deep browns, some moss here and there, but mainly an object where there can be a trace of even a subtle red. When a home incorporates some pottery piece, it gives a warm feeling of being connected to nature. The earth element is considered by some, most adaptable & harmonizing of the five elements. And, according to feng shui, an object of an earth element can be found in the center of a room or even a house. Is there a space that you feel is lacking some warmth, grounding or even a taste of earth? Try placing a piece of pottery created from red clay create that inviting & harmonious vibe.
To the contrary, red is also fiery and provoking. A splash of red here & there can add to the intimacy of room or add vibrancy to a rather natural setting. Painting a single wall to red in a rather long, narrow room can create an entirely different visual perspective. In a well sunlit room red drapery can create a dynamic setting for social gatherings by encouraging conversation & stimulating appetites.
There are many ways to get creative with red. Whenever you find your self at a social event, restaurant, movie theatre… notice if you feel warm, welcomed & calm with a splash of excitement. Look around, you may be experiencing the subtle effects of the color red.
“Bet you don’t know why the sun sets red. You see, light is made up of lots of colors. And out of all these colors, red is the one that travels the farthest.” -Axel