Franklin Dean
In Western culture, white wedding dresses are traditional and are symbolic of purity and simplicity. However, in several other cultures, red is the traditional colour for wedding dresses. For instance, in China, brides traditionally wear a Qipao, also known as a Cheongsam, a one-piece red dress often adorned with gold or silver designs. In Southern China, brides wear a two-piece red dress called a Long Feng Gua, adorned with a dragon and phoenix. In Chinese culture, red symbolises honour, success, loyalty, fertility, and love, and is believed to drive away evil spirits. In India, Hindu brides wear red to symbolise passion and success and to honour the Hindu Goddess Durga, who represents ancient cosmic feminine energy. In Pagan culture, red is also a significant colour, symbolising love, romance, and desire.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Culture | Chinese, Indian, Pagan, Viking, Western |
| Colour symbolism | honour, success, loyalty, fertility, love, passion, courage, fortune, happiness, joy, celebration, romance, enthusiasm, wealth, life, harmony, compassion, vitality, nobility, purity, simplicity |
| Dress type | Qipao, Cheongsam, Qun Kwa, Long Feng Gua, Lehenga, Western-style gown |
| Accessories | Red veil, red or pink shoes, gold embroidery, silver accents, crimson handfasting cord, red stones and flowers, red candle on the altar |
| Superstition | Symbolises future quarrels and unhappiness in some cultures, white symbolises death and sadness in Chinese culture |
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What You'll Learn
- Chinese brides wear red to symbolise joy, love, honour, fertility, success and loyalty
- In Hinduism, red is the colour of the Goddess Durga, who represents ancient cosmic feminine energy
- In Paganism, red is worn to welcome love, romance and desire
- In some cultures, red symbolises future unhappiness in a marriage
- In China, wearing red during the Lunar New Year is a time of joy and new beginnings
Chinese brides wear red to symbolise joy, love, honour, fertility, success and loyalty
In Chinese culture, the colour red is linked with love, success, happiness, prosperity, luck, fertility, honour, and loyalty. It is also believed to ward off evil spirits. For this reason, Chinese brides traditionally wear a red dress, known as a Qipao or a Cheongsam, on their wedding day. The Qipao is a one-piece dress that often features elaborate gold or silver designs.
In Southern China, brides wear a Long Feng Gua, a two-piece red dress adorned with a dragon and a phoenix, which symbolise the groom and bride, respectively. The colour red has been a part of Chinese wedding traditions for over 650 years, dating back to the Ming Dynasty.
In addition to the dress, Chinese brides can also wear a red silk veil, symbolising the vow that when the groom removes the veil, it marks the start of a life of cherishing each other. The bride may also wear a Chinese Phoenix Coronet, a headdress that originated in the Ming Dynasty. The bride's shoes may also be red, featuring delicate patterns.
Red is also incorporated into other aspects of Chinese weddings. For example, the invitations are typically red with gold wording, and red and gold decorations play a critical role in the wedding. The Double Happiness symbol, composed of two identical Chinese characters meaning joy, is also a common feature.
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In Hinduism, red is the colour of the Goddess Durga, who represents ancient cosmic feminine energy
In Hinduism, the goddess Durga is a powerful symbol of strength, compassion, and resilience. She is depicted as a fierce warrior, riding a lion or tiger, wielding weapons, and fighting against destruction. She is revered as the mother of the universe, representing the triumph of good over evil.
Durga is often associated with the colour red, which symbolises her passionate, energetic, and fierce nature. Red embodies the vigour, determination, courage, and strength of the goddess in battling evil forces. It reflects her unwavering commitment to protecting her devotees and invokes a sense of bravery in those who worship her.
In Hindu culture, brides often wear red wedding dresses to honour Goddess Durga and seek her blessings. By wearing red, the bride welcomes integrity, loyalty, forgiveness, strength, courage, and happiness into her marriage. The colour red symbolises passion and success, embodying the ancient cosmic feminine energy of Durga, also known as the divine Shakti.
The choice of a red wedding dress in Hinduism is deeply rooted in the symbolism and significance of the goddess Durga. Her depictions in art and worship often showcase vibrant colours, reflecting her multifaceted nature and divine qualities. The colour red, in particular, has become strongly associated with Durga, emphasising her power and energy.
While red is a prominent colour in Durga's representations, other colours also hold meaning in Hindu mythology. For instance, yellow is associated with knowledge, happiness, and light, reflecting Durga's nurturing and enlightening aspects. Blue symbolises the balance and harmony she brings, while green represents nature, fertility, and renewal, highlighting her life-giving qualities.
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In Paganism, red is worn to welcome love, romance and desire
In Paganism, the colour red is often associated with love, passion, and desire, making it a popular choice for wedding attire. Pagans believe that wearing red can help welcome and invoke feelings of love and romance, setting a tone for the marriage. The colour is also believed to be auspicious, bringing good luck and prosperity to the newlywed couple. In Pagan handfasting ceremonies, which are wedding rituals, red is often incorporated into the attire of the bride, groom, or both, to symbolize their love and commitment.
Red is a bold and vibrant colour, and in Paganism, it is believed to help enhance and stimulate emotions and feelings of passion and desire. It is thought that wearing red can help create a romantic atmosphere and deepen the emotional connection between the couple. The colour is also associated with the element of fire, which is symbolic of purification, transformation, and the spark of new life and beginnings.
In some Pagan traditions, the bride may wear a red dress or a red veil, or incorporate red accessories, flowers, or ribbons into her outfit. The groom might also wear a red cummerbund, a red tie, or a red handkerchief in his breast pocket. Sometimes, the wedding attire may feature a combination of red and another colour, such as black or white, creating a striking visual contrast.
The choice of red is also practical in some cases, as Pagan weddings often take place outdoors in natural settings. The vibrant colour can help the bride and groom stand out against the backdrop of nature, whether they are exchanging vows in a forest, a field, or on a beach at sunset.
When incorporating red into a Pagan wedding, the specific shade of red can also carry significance. Darker shades of red, like maroon or burgundy, can symbolize richness, depth, and longevity in the relationship. Brighter shades of red, such as scarlet or crimson, can represent intensity, vitality, and a fierce passion between the couple.
Wearing red at a Pagan wedding is a way to outwardly express the inner emotions and intentions of the couple. It is a visual representation of their desire for a loving, passionate, and romantic union, blessed by the gods and goddesses they honour.
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In some cultures, red symbolises future unhappiness in a marriage
In some cultures, the colour red is associated with negative connotations. In parts of Africa, red is a colour of mourning, representing death. The Red Cross has even changed its colours to green and white in some African countries due to the colour's association with death. In many cultures, red is also the colour used to signify someone's name when they have died.
In the context of weddings, red wedding dresses are a tradition in several cultures, including China, India, and among modern Pagans. In these cultures, the colour red is associated with various positive meanings, such as love, passion, success, honour, fertility, and good fortune. For instance, in Chinese culture, red is believed to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck to the marriage. Similarly, in Hindu culture, red is associated with the goddess Durga, who represents feminine power, new beginnings, and the planet Mars, which rules over marriage in Hindu astrology.
However, despite the prevalence of these positive associations, in some cultures, wearing a red wedding dress is believed to symbolise future unhappiness in the marriage. While red is predominantly associated with love and passion, it also represents danger and boldness. As such, some believe that wearing red foreshadows future quarrels and unhappiness in the marriage.
It is worth noting that the interpretation of colours can vary significantly across different cultures and belief systems. While red may be associated with unhappiness in some contexts, it can also signify life and health, as seen in Central African cultures, where the sick are painted with red paint. Ultimately, the symbolism of colours, including red, is shaped by a complex interplay of historical, cultural, and religious factors that can vary greatly from one region to another.
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In China, wearing red during the Lunar New Year is a time of joy and new beginnings
In China, the colour red is a symbol of celebration, good fortune, luck, and vitality. It is therefore no surprise that red is a popular colour during the Lunar New Year, a time of joy and new beginnings.
The Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is a time of celebration and festivity. Red is the dominant colour of choice, with people decorating their homes and themselves in red clothing and accessories. Red lanterns and firecrackers adorn the streets and festivals, creating a vibrant and cheerful atmosphere.
The significance of red during the Lunar New Year stems from ancient legends. According to folkloric tales, a beast called 'Nian' would terrorise villages on Chinese New Year's Eve, destroying crops and livestock. On one fateful night, a child dressed in red scared away the beast, and ever since, the colour has been associated with warding off evil spirits and bringing good luck.
Red is also the traditional colour of the Han people, the dominant ethnic group in China. It is a colour that signifies fortune and vitality and is often seen in Chinese weddings as well. In Southern China, brides wear the Long Feng Gua, a two-piece red dress adorned with a dragon and phoenix, symbolising the groom and bride, respectively. In ancient China, purple was reserved for royalty, and gold was associated with nobility, so these colours are also popular choices for Chinese weddings.
In modern times, the colour red continues to play a significant role in Chinese culture, especially during the Lunar New Year. Red envelopes, known as "lai see" or "hóngbāo," are given to children, young adults, and the elderly. These envelopes are filled with cash and are believed to bring good luck and health for the coming year. The act of giving and receiving these red envelopes is a cherished tradition that adds to the joy and festive spirit of the Lunar New Year celebrations.
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Frequently asked questions
In Chinese culture, the colour red is synonymous with happiness, fortune, success, honour, fertility, and love. It is believed to drive away evil spirits on a couple's big day.
Chinese brides traditionally wear the Qipao, also known as the Cheongsam, or the Qun Kwa—a one-piece red dress that often features elaborate gold or silver designs. In some parts of China, brides wear a two-piece dress called a Long Feng Gua, adorned with a dragon and phoenix.
Hindu brides wear red as a symbol of passion and success, and to honour the Hindu Goddess Durga, who represents ancient cosmic feminine energy.
Modern Pagan couples may wear red to their wedding ceremonies to welcome love, romance, and desire into their union. Some modern Asatru and Heathen couples also wear red when hosting Viking-themed weddings, to honour an old tradition that symbolises wealth.
In Western cultures, red symbolises love, romance, and enthusiasm.
