Horse 247 - Red

Of all the colours that the human eye can see, it is the colour of red that is the most vivid on the receptors of the eye. This may be due to the colour of blood and would thus serve as a warning of impending danger.

Ironically it is that blood which passes through the human body (and the eyes which is perhaps the reason) that has given the colour red the symbolic status of passion. Most noticibly in peoples lips but also their cheeks, peoples faces actually redden to a degree during any flights of fury or fancy. But the colour red came to mean much more than that as the symbolic nature of it was codified as time wore on.

This sense of danger took on extra meanings on the railways. When signals were devloped, naturally red was decided to mean stop. This was of course naturally taken to the highways when the motor car became popular (the first traffic lights were in 1922).

The little red sports car (Ferrari di scarletti - despite Forza Italia being di Azzuri), that red dress, the Moulin Rouge (Red Windmill), all conjure up emotions in people. Baron von Ritchoften's red menace hung triumphantly over the skies of war-torn Europe and with 80 kills he was feared by all.

Also ubiquitous in the world of football, the most succesful clubs in England and perhaps in Europe are also red. Liverpool, Manchester Utd and Arsenal all at one stage or another called "the reds" have lifted more trophies collectively than the other 93 professional clubs in England.

One also thinks of the stagnancy of red tape. The colorful term used to refer to the seemingly endless parade of paperwork that accompanies many official matters got its start back in jolly old England. It seems that thick legal documents were bound or tied with (what else?) red cloth tape. So when someone spoke of cutting through the red tape, they meant it in a very literal sense. By the 19th century, however, the term had become much more figurative in meaning and referred to "any official routine or procedure marked by excessive complexity which results in delay or inaction." Governments are notorious for excessive red tape.

The red ball in snooker although the most numerous accounts for only 1 point in free play. 15 of them line the table to begin with and although there may be something to be said for the values of the colours above, it is during the portion of play whilst the reds are on the table that the most points are usually gained.

So why a post about Red?

Because my other post (Horse 246) about the relative power to weight ratios of cars and the reasons why restricting P-Plate drivers from driving certain cars, didn't post itself when I hit send on Sunday morning - and now I'm seeing red.