Red

The Color Red


 * Egyptian Name:**

//Desher// or //Tesher//


 * Hieroglyphics:**

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The ancient Egyptian concept of "red" covered all shades of the color as well as pink, orange, and some browns. Different shades of red were identified, such as //tjer// red (the pinkish-red of ocher, flamingos, and blood), //tjemes// red (the dark red of ink and internal organs), and //ines// red (the brownish-red color of mud, certain woods, anise seeds, and some types of flax.) In Egyptian statuary and jewelry red was represented by stones such as carnelian, red jasper, red glass, rose quartz, garnet, and red granite. Red pigments were derived from naturally occurring oxidized iron, red ocher, clay, realgar (ruby sulphur), and plant dyes, such as alkanet, henna, and madder.

To the ancient Egyptians red was the color of victory, anger, fire, and life. Red was commonly used to symbolize the radiant sun and cobra amulets representing the fiery "Eye of Ra" were often made of red stones. During celebrations, the ancient Egyptians would paint their bodies with red ochre. In tomb paintings, the normal skin tone of Egyptian men was depicted as red, implying vigorous tanned youth. The skin of deceased men was also painted red during mummification.

Royal statuary was often made of red granite, which were used to invoke the regenerative properties of the solar cycle and the connection between the kingship and the sun. Female statuettes were sometimes painted red to promote sexuality and fertility. The obelisk of Senussret at Heliopolis was made of red granite. Red was a common color used to paint doors, window shutters, and wooden columns in Egyptian houses. Many important amulets were made from red stone, glass, or wood, such as the Tyet, Achet, and Ab.

//Deshret// (the "Red Land") was the name given to the desert areas on each side of the fertile Nile Valley. To the ancient Egyptians, not only was red the universal color of blood, and therefore death, it was also considered the color of hostility, anger, and fire; passages about demons in the Book of the Dead were always written in red ink, as were unlucky days. One complete chapter of the papyrus of the British Museum concerning the evil Apophis was entirely written in red. The names of hostile foreign leaders were written in red ink on clay figures or on red pottery vessels, then buried or smashed.

A person who acted “with a red heart” was filled with rage. A person could also be described as having "red eyes" if they were angry or violent. Angry gods were described as having red eyes: "Beware of the Red-Eyed Horus, violent of power!" “To redden” meant “to die.” Traditionally, red-haired men as well as animals with reddish hair or skins were thought to be under the influence of Set, a red-haired god. Animals sacred to Set, such as hippopotamuses and donkeys, were pictured in paintings as red although they are not naturally that color. The “Followers of Set” were a group of Egyptians who participated in staged, mock battles in the ceremonies honoring Osiris, Set, and Horus. They were called the //Desheru// (“Red Ones.”)

Egyptian Colors