Hoodoo Colors; Red like the love of my heart and the blood of my enemies.
A cultural analysis on the symbolism of colors in African-American religion and culture.
By Hoodoo Vogue. Jan 2022.
Good morning Sunday folks. Get a coffee. Let’s chat.
Colors, like in many cultures as well as in/out of spiritual spaces, hold a significance in the diaspora of Afro spiritual/religious traditions. However, it’s more than the commonly-known, oversimplified attributions such as, pink is for love, black is for hexing and green is fertility. It should be noted that even some of these reduced attributions, are in fact foreign to our Hoodoo tradition, brought on by outside cultures during an era where many were trying to capitalize off our practices, at the expense of our Ancestors. Colors in general for ATR/ADR (African Traditional Religions/African Diasporic Religions) systems, are attributed to many things, such as spirits for one example. Not for the sake of simply “having a corresponding colour”, more so because the colour represents an aspect of their background story. Some don’t even share just a colour like red, but a specific shade, like burgundy. Certain patterns and prints hold an importance to many different ethnic groups in the African Diaspora as well, for many diverse reasons.
So why am I writing this article? For a reason you’ll hear me say for a lot of things: I’m doin it for the culture.
I won’t be getting into all colours for now, but we will start with one: Red. Le Rouge.
Let’s get into where we see red in the culture. Certain Hoodoo items/objects have traditionally been red. In the Pan-African flag and African American heritage flag, the colour red still figures. Red bandanas. Red lipstick. Red hair. Red and Black Jordan 1’s.
In colour psychology, branding and advertisements, we are told red stands for power, passion, sex, and bla bla bla. We have heard it all. And as much as that’s true, it’s deeper than that for us. Red for one, is one of the colours that symbolizes life, wether a gain or loss of, because it represents the blood. It’s also a symbol of creating life, and that’s not just because it’s directly linked to sex doing so, but also because of it’s link to blood, and how many living things have it and require it to live (mammals such as humans and other carnivorous animals). It is also synonymous with courage, war, revolution and freedom because of bloodshed (like the symbolism of red on many flags in the African Diaspora). In these parts of the diaspora, for that same reason, red is associated with death. Considering Hoodoo’s close relationship with death, it’s not always a sad and taboo topic, but also one that brings feelings of peace, comfort, encouragement, empowerment and celebration. Even family. Funerals bring us together. On another note, due to the undertones of our skin, red, as shocking of a colour as it is, complements us well in art, fashion, and everyday wear. Even the era of the Ancient Egyptians, were familiar with red lipstick. Brown is a tone variation of yellow/orange or red (see a colour wheel for an example) and parts of the diaspora even have a blue or purple hue to their skin, hence this is a colour that adorns us well. Some Monarchies, along with blue, yellow and purple also employ red as a colour attributed to royalty and an exertion of their power.
Now, let’s look into red under another lens; herbs and curios. Paprika, cayenne and chilli are red-pigmented hot spices, associated with many different elements, such as warming or speeding things from a conjured (juju, magic, occult) perspective. Saffron is another one with multiple attributes, including personal power. It’s also a symbol of wealth, since it’s one of the most expensive spices in the world. Certain Hoodoo powders corresponding to protection are also naturally red. Certain legendary Hoodoo figures, notorious for having access to all paths, are identified by the colour red.
But let’s talk about power for a moment, shall we?
In the previous two paragraphs, I’ve highlighted how red comes up in different elements attributed to power. In African-American culture, themes of power, and more specifically being empowered, are core principles seen throughout our history and culture, connecting us all the way up to today. As a people, we have seen our rich histories and cultures plundered by many others, our sovereignty striped away, our bodily autonomy violated and our dignity walked on. At many points in time, the act of viewing one’s self as being worthy of respect and human dignity, was not only an act of rebellion, but also an act that removed power from the oppressor, back into our own hands. The act of wanting to educate oneself or others, and learn to read and write, was one that would promise cruel torture if not death. It’s another reason why we often hear in our community, the phrase: “Knowledge is power”. Every tactic to dehumanize our Ancestors, was combatted with their stubborn desire to always remember who they once were and everything they could be. Circling back, it’s why we continually see themes of power, royalty and strength tied in to different movements in African-American culture; all themes that are linked into the colour red.
In Hoodoo we understand adorning something in colors, symbols and oils brings actual spirit life into things. That is why there is a philosophy of beauty, particularly seeing beauty in oneself and defining one’s beauty, as simple or detailed as that is, as a path of medicine. Considering our history and current tribulations, before going to war, our ancestors stress the importance of being adorned with ones war medallions as well as the medallions of the lineage. The very inspiration and motivation we feel, is their Ase, wafting through, strengthening our life, with theirs. Traditionally, that was talismans and war paint. Now days, it’s bandanas, rings, shoes, heirlooms, our hair, our grandfather’s cologne, tattoos and much, much more.
And finally, we end with a quote from our well-known Hoodoo and Fashion designer, Samone, notorious for saying this in regards to the colour red:
“[It’s] the return of the Matriarch.”
