What is the religious meaning of red?

Answer 1

To understand the significance of the colour red in religion it is important to learn the history of red dye. The following is an excerpt from the book "A perfect Red" by Amy Butler Greenfield. I have used it here as a short introduction into that history. "A Perfect Red recounts the colorful history of cochineal, a legendary red dye that was once one of the world's most precious commodities. Treasured by the ancient Mexicans, cochineal was sold in the great Aztec marketplaces, where it attracted the attention of the Spanish conquistadors in 1519. Shipped to Europe, the dye created a sensation, producing the brightest, strongest red the world had ever seen. Soon Spain's cochineal monopoly was worth a fortune. Desperate to find their own sources of the elusive dye, the English, French, Dutch, and other Europeans tried to crack the enigma of cochineal. Did it come from a worm, a berry, a seed? Could it be stolen from Mexico and transplanted to their own colonies? Pirates, explorers, alchemists, scientists, and spies -- all joined the chase for cochineal, a chase that lasted more than three centuries. A Perfect Red tells their stories -- true-life tales of mystery, empire, and adventure, in pursuit of the most desirable color on earth. " As the book tells, the luxurious red colour became widely sought after and could only be afforded by those with great wealth. Monarchs, nobles and courtiers would dress in garments dyed with cochineal; it became a symbol of wealth, majesty and power. For exactly this reason the church embelished itself with items of red clothing and decoration. If Christ and his followers could be portrayed in this majestic colour the church could reaffirm its status within an increasingly faithless world. To this day the colour red is synonymous with luxury and decadance in Royal, political and religious establishments the world around. Follow this link if you want to find out more about the book: http://www.harpercollins.com/book/index.aspx?isbn=9780060522759

Answer 2

In some religions, red can symbolize strong emotions such as love or passion, as well as sacrifice or redemption. It can also represent vitality, power, and energy.