Red doesn’t enter a room quietly. It shouts “Hello” the second it crosses the threshold. It’s the lipstick a woman swipes when she needs encouragement. It’s the velvet ribbon that makes messy wrapping look chic and curated. It’s the wine stain you secretly call art on your favorite white rug. Bold red is all about energy, passion, and a little bit of mischief. It’s the color that says “I’m here. I’m loud. I’m fabulous.”

Red is an emotionally charged color that sparks excitement, raises heartbeats, and demands attention when it enters any space. It’s a color of love, action, thrill, and violence. In winter, red conjures up warm cozy fires, cozy Christmas sweaters, and the glow of poinsettias. Spiritually red symbolizes divine love and deep sacrifices.  In medieval times red was the color of joy and used at community gatherings. It helped to brighten dark winters. In Celtic traditions holly berries, evergreen and vivid reds, symbolized prosperity and protection during their midwinter celebrations.

Red is widely the symbolic color of Christmas. It became the signature Christmas color because it embodies both festive joy and sacred meaning. Saint Nicholas was a bishop in the 4^th century. He famously wore robes and as he evolved into being known as Santa Claus, his red robes turned into a festive uniform. Holly berries and poinsettias eventually were woven into the holiday because of their vivid reds. Red stockings, ornaments, and ribbons bring love, warmth, and lend to the thrill of giving. It’s more than just decorations, its traditions, spirituality, religion, and marketing all rolled into one bold vivid dazzling hue. Red is the pulse of the season, it’s the color that brings Christmas to life. Bold reds are your festive permission slip to be cozy, to be loud, to be with family and friends, and to be gloriously imperfect.

In ancient times, bold reds were found in many historical societies. Egypt and Rome both used red to show vitality and power. Egyptians used red ochre in tomb paintings to symbolize hierarchy and respect. Romans draped red togas to show victory and authority. In Chinese history, red was the color of celebration, luck, and prosperity. To this day, it still holds true for festivals and weddings. In Medieval and Christian symbolism red also is very prevalent. In Christian tradition, red symbolizes the blood of Christ and the sacrifice of martyrs, making red sacred and solemn. Bishops and Cardinals wear red robes to signify spiritual authority and divine devotion.

The color red bridges the sacred meaning of love, devotion, and sacrifice, with the festive joy of warmth, celebration, and passion. It’s a color of duality. It’s both spiritual and sensual. It can be both cozy and commanding. Red has lasted so many centuries as not only the heartbeat of the holidays, but also for religious reasons and to show power in wars. It’s the color that shows love and death. More importantly for me and other women, red is an armor that we can put on and take over the world.

XOXO,

Savi Monroe