Chinese culture: Colours(颜色)~Red(红色)
As a silent language, colour has a clear emblematic meaning to the Chinese people. Grasping the colour psychology in the sub-conscience of Chinese people and using such in marketing is one factor leading to successful marketing in China.
Red is the favourite colour of Chinese people. Red represents blood, passion, diligence, energy and love to the Chinese. As well, red can expel evil. In folk stories, the Chinese New Year is a time for expelling evil with red flames. Therefore, Chinese people hang red lanterns, set off firecrackers, paste couplets, wear red clothes and give red envelopes during the Chinese New Year. Red is the main colour for wedding ceremonies in China. Chinese people hang red lanterns, set off red firecrackers and paste red couplets and papercuts during wedding ceremonies. Brides wear red clothes and bridegrooms wear red flowers. Red makes the wedding ceremony fun and joyful. In business, the use of red is common. For instance, red is used in various business ceremonies as a wish for good luck and burgeoning business. However, red can have other meanings; a jealous person is said to have " red-eye disease". It is also used on traffic signs as an alert to stop.