RED!

Interesting how colours work, what meaning we give to colour and how we embrace or reject certain colours. Yesterday's post showed some bold yellow berets; today a look at another bold colour (for men, at least): RED.

Of course, I am not talking about the bright red berets of the Spanish Carlistas, the ultra-conservative, ultra-catholic nationalists who made the boina roja their trademark. 

Here we have a look at some strong individuals, braving the looks and comments of bourgeois bystanders and stoically wearing a red beret. 

Surveys show that red is the color most associated with courage. In western countries red is a symbol of martyrs and sacrifice, particularly because of its association with blood.[30] Beginning in the Middle Ages, the Pope and Cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church wore red to symbolize the blood of Christ and the Christian martyrs. The banner of the Christian soldiers in the First Crusade was a red cross on a white field, the St. George's Cross.

In 1587, Mary, Queen of Scots, accused of treason against Queen Elizabeth I, wore a red shirt at her execution, to proclaim that she was an innocent martyr.

In the 19th century novel The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane, a story about the American Civil War, the red badge was the blood from a wound, by which a soldier could prove his courage.

Red is also the color most commonly associated with love, with joy and well being. It is the color of celebration and ceremony. A red carpet is often used to welcome distinguished guests. Red is also the traditional color of seats in opera houses and theaters. Scarlet academic gowns are worn by new Doctors of Philosophy at degree ceremonies at Oxford University and other schools. In China, it is considered the color of good fortune and prosperity.