Scarlet Color Meaning
Scarlet is the color of fire at its hottest — a vivid, orange-red that is more intense than pure red. The word comes from Persian "saqerlat," via Arabic and medieval Latin. Scarlet is red with the heat turned up. What makes scarlet visually distinctive is its orange undertone and its extreme brightness. It is not the cool red of crimson or the dark red of burgundy. Scarlet is a hot, vivid red that demands attention. This gives scarlet a quality of urgency and of passion. The color is associated with specific traditions: The Scarlet Letter (Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel about sin and punishment), scarlet fever (the disease), and the scarlet uniforms of the British military. These associations give scarlet a meaning of visibility and of marking. Scarlet has the energizing effects of red at maximum intensity. It is one of the most stimulating colors — people in scarlet environments report feeling alert, passionate, and sometimes aggressive. The color is too intense for sustained exposure but powerful in small doses. The visibility association of scarlet affects perception of attention and urgency. Products in scarlet packaging are perceived as more urgent, more attention-getting, and more passionate than identical products in other colors. This makes scarlet effective for warning labels, urgent products, and passionate brands. Scarlet also has a sinful quality that comes from "The Scarlet Letter" and from the long association of scarlet with adultery and with moral marking. The color carries this meaning of visible transgression. In Western culture, scarlet is associated with sin (The Scarlet Letter), with military tradition (scarlet uniforms), and with passion. In the Bible, scarlet is the color of sin ("though your sins be as scarlet") but also of royalty. In many Christian traditions, scarlet is the liturgical color for Passion Sunday and for martyrs. The color has a specific association with the British military — scarlet tunics were the standard uniform of the British Army from the 17th to the 19th century. The color carries this meaning of military visibility and of imperial power. In branding, Scarlet is used by brands that want to feel urgent, passionate, and bold. The color works for warning products, passionate fashion, and attention-getting displays. Pair scarlet with black for dramatic contrast, or with white for a clean, urgent look. Scarlet pairs well with Black (dramatic, bold), White (clean, urgent), Navy (sophisticated contrast), Gold (passionate, luxurious).