The Color Red

Depiction of Color Red in Indian Culture

    First Online: July 15,2004
Page Last Updated: October 06,2009

Addicted to Red
A number of people in India chew paan (a mixture of areca-nut, lime, and tobacco rolled with leaves) that makes their mouth red and provides a satisfying snack.

Vendor of Red Color
Picture of a vendor selling red vermilion
Malleswaram, Bangalore

   
Stamped in Red
A vermilion mark on the forehead is considered to bring good luck. It must have come in vogue when the cave-men fought fiercely for the same mate and the victorious one decorated her forehead with his rival's blood.

Sacrificial Melon
As Hinduism reformed into non-violence, we notice that animal sacrifices have been replaced with coconut and other non-animal sacrifices and ritual offerings.

See Also:

• Color Black -- Series of pictures exploring the black color and its connotations in Indian culture.