More than four decades after Mao’s death, and with the market economy now well established, red retains a profound power in China. It is used to avert tragedy, bring luck and celebrate triumph. Red underwear or waistbands ward off the devil; red lanterns are strung up to herald the New Year; front doors are decorated with strips of red paper inscribed with propitious verses; birthday invitations are red, as are traditional matrimonial dresses; wedding gifts are presented in red envelopes or wrapped in red ribbons; the birth of a new child is celebrated by eating red sugar; newborn babies are given red clothing and painted eggshells; award ceremonies are marked with red silk and honours rolls are written on red paper. Its meanings are so positive that China’s stock market shows rising stocks in red rather than black, the opposite of almost every other country.
