February is the RED month at Scarlet Pixel.

February is the start of the Chinese New Year 2006 - the Year of the Red Dog. Red is a very lucky colour in China. As part of the New Year celebrations, Chinese children are given lucky RED bags containing coins and gifts.

RED can be a very lucky colour for you, too! In the dark days in the Northern hemisphere, RED is invigorating and warm and motivating and strong - just the colour to get you moving and to inspire you... especially if you seem to be losing sight of those brilliant Resolutions you made last month!

Some interesting facts about RED and sport:

RED shouts out physical strength and aggression on the football or rugby field, a "Don't mess with me" colour. Teams who wear RED, usually do well in a match.

RED stands out because your eyeballs are made to move to view the colour. It has an immediate impact - RED for danger, RED for 'look at' RED traffic lights, RED warning symbols, RED for ripe and ready to eat, in the animal kingdom RED for 'watch out - I am dangerous'.

Use RED to stand out from the crowd - add spice to the sunny long days in the Southern Hemisphere with a red dress or shirt, add warmth in the Northern Hemisphere by wearing some sizzling red, and feeling sexy and alive.

Use RED in your home, but be careful - a little of this powerful colour goes a long, long way. RED is a very stimulating colour. It is excellent in small doses, and in places where you need energy and movement - halls, for example, with people entering and moving on. In much of a home, RED is an exciting and enlivening colour, but it is not at all relaxing. It is too overpowering to be used on a grand scale! A little goes a long way - overdo the RED and arguments and serious strife may well ensue because RED is just too stimulating and exhausting. Instead, use RED as a powerful accent colour on a plainer base - RED cushions, curtains, flowers, pictures - instant energy in a room!

Children (unless they are colour-blind) focus on the colour RED very quickly after birth. RED toys are great for fun and learning - but at bedtime put away the RED and use soothing greens and blues instead.

What about RED foods? Psychologists have found that eating RED foods definitely do raise your spirits and make you feel brighter and happier, a real boost at any time of the year, particularly in the winter. RED foods are certainly physically stimulating. Get rid of your negativity - eat RED peppers, radishes, apples, tomatoes, spices - the list is endless - delicious and good for your body and your mood!

RED is a fiery force, a colour that encourages us all to come out of Winter hibernation and to put action and excitement back into our lives.

February is of course best known for reds and pinks thanks largely to Valentines day. Those red hearts are everywhere, so too are the roses. Did you know that there are formal meanings of different coloured roses in some cultures? Each of these meanings is still used in society today, so choose your rose colour with care.

White roses are for true love and purity of the mind.
Red roses are for love and passion.
Yellow roses are given for friendship.
Black roses mean farewell.
Pink roses mean friendship or sweetheart.

Happy Valentine's Day wishes from Scarlet Pixel.

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