Luxury selection - Edition 7

The insider

Hidden meanings

In different cultures, red signifies different things. From happiness and success to passion and love, it dates back to ancient traditions and can even bring you good luck.

Thailand

In Thailand, according to ancient customs and astrology, each day of the week is assigned a specific colour. Red is the colour for Sundays, and is associated with the solar god Surya, who was born on this day. Many Thai people pay their respects to Surya by wearing red on his birthday each year.

India

Traditionally, when a woman gets married in India, she wears a red sari and has her hands painted in mehndi, red henna, a sign of luck and prosperity and a red powder, sindoor, is placed along the hairline for fertility.

South Africa

Conversely, in South Africa red is associated with mourning and a symbol of respect for the apartheid era. At Nelson Mandela's funeral. Nobel Peace Prize winner, Archbishop Desmond Tutu wore red in tribute.

Bhutan

In Bhutan amongst the temples teetering on lofty mountain passes, flashes of red can be seen from the billowing robes of monks. Red is one of the five colours which are said to have emanated from the Buddha when he attained enlightenment and signifies wisdom, virtue and dignity, and helps to resist evil.