By Segun Durowaiye

The many connotations of colour red

Sir: Red is a very unique colour. In nature, red is the colour of blood, of sunset clouds, of rubbies, of human lips, of foxes’ fur, of many beautiful flowers and shrubs and of fire.

The beautiful red colour of the Rose flower comes to mind here.

Metaphorically, it is the colour of anger, love and war.
Who does not know of the “Red Horse of Apocalypse,” that visionary second horse that is to bring war to mankind?

“When he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, ‘Come!’ And out came another horse, bright red; its rider was permitted to take peace from the earth, so that men should slay one another, and he was giving a great sword.”

This is a fearful vision coming from the apocalyptic days at the end of time.

Kipling wrote in his poem on the theme of war.

In relation to anger, we have the phrase, “A red tag to a Bull.” meaning, “Anything that would make a person furiously angry as a red object infuriates a Bull.” And we also speak about “seeing red” when a person is in a position of inarticulate, near homicidal rage.

An anger so terrible, utterly consuming, hot and deadly like the volcanic lava or liquid fire!
Red also connotes danger in all ramifications.

Red is synonymous with wine too.

Red wine is also very good, healthy and rich for the palate or the taste bud.

This is as old as humanity itself.
Red as the colour of love, has a different kind of intensity.

Robert Burns’ poem beginning,

“O, my love’s like a red, red rose

That’s newly sprung in June…”

Conveys both the intensity of his love and the rich beauty of his beloved.

Traditionally, the heart is the seat of love, and the heart’s red blood is a symbol of the passionate and ardent feelings of the lover, as it was expressed in Francis Thompson’s “Arab Love Song.”

All over the world, Valentine’s Day, 14th of February, is celebrated warmly, greatly and passionately.

On this particular Valentine season, red is prominent and admired faithfully.

Lovers show how zealous, emotional and faithful they are while exchanging gifts and wears bearing colour red to one another. Red is adored this very season.

In this part of the world, during this particular love season, colour red is religiously and fanatically admired.

Let me conclude this beautiful piece by the statement that, “Ife ni Oluwa.” meaning, “God is love.”

A very witty and sagacious poet in the days of yore, once wrote that, “At the touch of love, every man becomes a poet!”

This shows the true nature of love and the overwhelming likeness people have for colour red.

It is always good to fill our hearts with love, not hatred and enmity as this is bad and totally destructive.
Think about it.

Segun Durowaiye can be reached via: (08055356855)