February - Colour Me Red

The Colour RED

Red is the colour of extremes.  Its the colour of passionate love, seduction, violence, danger, anger and adventure.  Our prehistoric ancestors saw red as the colour of fire and blood - energy and primal life forces - and most of red's symbolism today arises from its powerful association with the past.

A "stimulate", red is the hottest of the warm colours.  Studies show that red enhances the human metabolism, increases respiration rate and raises blood pressure.  A very powerful colour!

In some cultures, red denotes purity, joy and celebration.

Red is universally the colour of "Love" - Valentines Day

Red is reportedly the first colour perceived by man.  It is the first colour, along with black and white, used in the textile industry.  Red ochre, derived from clay tinted with hematite (or iron ore) has been traced back to textile dyeing in the Neolithic period.  In China, dyeing with plants, barks and insects has been in evidence for more than 5,000 years.  Red was almost as rare and expensive as purple in ancient times.  

The textile industry has evolved and today many synthetic dyes are available.  The first natural pigment to be duplicated synthetically was the red dye from the madder plant.  Today's intense red dyes come from crushed insects - Cochineal.

Tuesday, February 11th, the DCWS Guild will be celebrating the colour red with a presentation about Cochineal.   Dress up in something red and join us for a colourful learning experience.