How did red arise as a lucky colour in Asia even amongst different cultures/religions?

Pat12@lemmy.world to No Stupid Questions@lemmy.world – 73 points –

In Chinese culture, red is a lucky colour; it's often used for gift giving or weddings. Similarly in Hinduism, red is considered lucky (as far as I've read) and brides wear red at their weddings. The only commonality I can see between Indian culture and Chinese culture (in terms of beliefs) is Buddhism, is it because of this or something entirely different or a coincidence?

12

You are viewing a single comment

Do you have a source on that?

I can't see (in Chinese culture at least) that the cheapest colour would be used for something like a wedding, it would not reflect well on one's family to use something cheap. The reds i'm referring to are bright reds, like jewel red, not like a dull/muddy red

Source: Barns were painted red for the reason of cost savings/ease of production. But that might fall into a rusty/muddy hue and not a vibrant red like you’re referring to.

It is a rust hue, because the iron used in its production is what makes it cheap

Also, red usually faded to a clay-ish brown. (Which is why the British used it for their marines…)