Wearing of the Red

RED DRESS

What is the allure of a woman in a red dress? Is it the same everywhere?

Folk Myths

 A woman who dies or commits suicide in a red dress can come back and haunt those who wronged her.

A woman wearing red sari is associated with marriage.

A woman wearing a red dress is a signal of sexual availability.

Married in red you will wish you were dead.

A dress is put on deities who have the power to destroy evil.

British officers wore red coats that were dyed with cochineal, which was expensive and became a color of power and authority. The British government then supplied the troops with red coats also but these were dyed with madder because it was very inexpensive.

Roman senators wore a reddish band on their togas as a symbol of the status; red dye being very expensive.

Isis was often depicted wearing red.

Wearing of red keeps evil spirits away as they are also wearing red and will believe you are one of them.

Red undergarments are worn by females as a fertility amulet.

Fox and Lions guarding temple gates are bibbed in red to keep out demons and sickness.

This week we will explore red clothing in art.