June 25, 2026 · 星期四
Why Red Means Luck
红色与吉祥· red
Today’s episode with Jason & AmyRed is deeply ingrained in Chinese culture as a symbol of good luck and happiness.
Why Red Means Luck
红色与吉祥hóng sè yǔ jí xiáng
The color red holds significant meaning in Chinese culture, often symbolizing luck, joy, and prosperity. This vibrant hue is deeply embedded in various aspects of cultural traditions and celebrations. During weddings, the bride typically wears red to ward off evil spirits and to bring good fortune to the marriage. Similarly, during Chinese New Year, red decorations and red envelopes filled with money, known as 'hongbao', are exchanged to wish prosperity and happiness in the coming year. This practice is rooted in the belief that red can drive away bad luck and bring about good fortune[1].
Historically, the color red has been associated with fire, an element believed to bring energy, vitality, and life. In ancient China, red was also the color of choice for imperial celebrations and official ceremonies. The emperor's robes often featured red as a primary color, symbolizing power and strength. This association with authority and auspiciousness has carried over into modern times, where red is a dominant color in national celebrations and important events.[2]
Beyond events, red plays a role in everyday life, often seen in the details of architecture, business branding, and personal attire. In business, red is used to attract customers and convey a sense of urgency or positive energy. Many Chinese businesses choose red for their logos to symbolize success and good luck. The continued use of red in these contexts highlights its enduring cultural significance and its ability to convey a message of optimism and prosperity, making it a central element in Chinese aesthetics and cultural expression.
Red is deeply ingrained in Chinese culture as a symbol of good luck and happiness.
今天是个红色的节日。
Jīntiān shì gè hóngsè de jiérì.
Today is a red festival.
- [1] standard reference works on Chinese folk art
- [2] UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage documentation
Jason & Amy on 红
Podcast: Daily Chinese: 红 — Why Red Means Luck
Jason & Amy on 红 and Why Red Means Luck
New here?
红色很好看。
Hóngsè hěn hǎokàn.
Red looks nice.
A simple statement about the appearance of red.
她穿了一件红色的衣服。
Tā chuānle yī jiàn hóngsè de yīfú.
She wore a red dress.
Describes someone wearing red clothing.
红色象征着好运。
Hóngsè xiàngzhēngzhe hǎo yùn.
Red symbolizes good luck.
Explains the symbolic meaning of red in terms of luck.
在中国文化中，红色有深远的象征意义。
Zài Zhōngguó wénhuà zhōng, hóngsè yǒu shēnyuǎn de xiàngzhēng yìyì.
In Chinese culture, red has profound symbolic meaning.
Discusses the complex and deep meanings associated with red.
Using 色 (sè) with colors
颜色 + 色
In Chinese, '色' is often used to form color words, such as '红色' for red.
Use 色 to denote a specific color, like 红色 for red.
我喜欢红色。
wǒ xǐ huān hóng sè
I like red.
她穿蓝色衣服。
tā chuān lán sè yī fú
She wears blue clothes.
绿色很自然。
lǜ sè hěn zì rán
Green is very natural.
What does 红 mean?
How is 红 pronounced?
How do you write "red" in Chinese?
Listen. What does the sentence mean?
___色很好看。
红色象征着好运。 — What does this sentence mean?
What color is often associated with luck in Chinese culture?
Arrange into a correct sentence
Frequently asked questions about the word 红
Common phrases include 红色 (hóngsè, 'red color'), 红包 (hóngbāo, 'red envelope'), and 红心 (hóngxīn, 'red heart').
Yes, 红 can describe emotions like blushing; for example, '我脸红了' (wǒ liǎn hóng le) means 'I blushed.'
No, it also means popular, as in something that is trendy or widely accepted.
Today's Mandarin word: 红 (hóng) — red.
Learn it on Mandarin Temple's Dragon Daily 🐉