Shanghai Daily news

A man furnishes a giant drum with a paper-cutting dog in Xujiahui.—Wang Rongjiang

No color has quite the effect that red has. For China the color has such significance and associations that it is China's color and this New Year it will be impossible to avoid. It does, however, evoke different feelings in different people, writes Michelle Qiao.

Magazine editor Liu Xuewei bought a giant crimson fish to grace the pale wall of her Shanghai apartment. This stunning paper fish does not match the snow-white tone of her trendy apartment opposite Century Park. But she said something red in the room made her feel good as Spring Festival, or Chinese New Year, is coming.

Chinese' mania for red reaches its climax around the Chinese New Year festival. There are so many red goodies springing up like mushrooms in shops, as traditional as the Spring Festival couplets written on red papers or as fashionable as sexy laced red short pants.

If every country leaves an impression of a unique color like yellowish Egypt, ocean blue Norway or foggy, grayish United Kingdom, the bright, pure, heart-stirring red suits China most. Seldom a director in the world like Zhang Yimou would use red in such a lavish way in his award-winning movie "Raise the Red Lanterns."

"Red is a thick, compelling color in my mind. If there's something red at home, such as a big red Chinese tie, the atmosphere will be different," says 35-year-old film producer Li Xiaojun. "But I cannot explain why red works on me that way. It's just a habit, a tradition that I'm so used to,"

Zhong Fulan, a professor on folk custom from East China Normal University says a passion for red is a typical Chinese tradition.

"Red is the most festive color of all as it symbolizes prosperity and flourishing," says Zhong. "Chinese believe red things can ward off evils and disasters and thus bring them luck and joy."

Zhong notes that Chinese' preference for red begun during the time of Huang Di (The Yellow Emperor, who was the first sovereign of civilized China and recognized as the common ancestor of the Chinese people). Archeologists have found most fabrics in an unearthed mausoleum during the Warring States Period (476-221 BC) are in different degrees of redness.

The leader of Yihetuan (Corps of Righteousness and Harmony), a folk organization to fight against foreign invaders around the year 1900 renamed himself to Hong Deng (Red Lantern), whose signature dress was a big red hat, red trousers plus two red flags.

The celebration of the Spring Festival originated in the legend of monster Nian (year), which ancient Chinese used red color to fright away and prevent family members from being attacked.

"In Chinese history there used to be an admiration for color yellow, which is attributed to a respect for the earth by farmers," says Zhong. "But gradually yellow has become an exclusive color for the royal families since the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD)."

Chinese also have another interesting habit of wearing red underwear during his or her zodiac animal year, which happens every 12 years.

"I didn't wear red underwear during my last animal year 11 years ago. That year was bad luck so I planned to strictly follow the rules throughout my animal year next year," says producer Li.

Zhong says in addition to festivals Chinese brides attired in all-red clothes usually taken to the bridegroom's home by a traditional red sedan. Her wedding bed is paved with red quilts while her dowry box is covered by red papers. If they get a son later, they will dye bowled eggs red to send to friends to share their happiness.

Tradition is tradition. Not every Chinese loves red from their innermost heart.

"I have a complicated feeling toward redness," says editor Liu. "I have several red clothes and friends always say I look good in red. But I seldom wear them because red is too bold and outstanding. I don't like but I respect the color."

"Chinese have given too much meanings to this warm, exciting color, which has turned into almost a signal today," says 28-year-old architect Tao Le. "But I don't like this color and feel Chinese red is a bit vulgar. I don't like colors embedded with meanings. But sometimes red is necessary in some designs."

And perhaps red is by all means imbued with many meanings in China, from history to today. No matter whether you like it or not, festive or not, there's always something red in the tender part of every Chinese heart.