In Eastern traditions, red has some different associations than it does in the West. In China red is a symbol of loyalty, honour, courage, fortune, fertility, success, summer, passion, and happiness. Red is thus a symbol of very positive things in China. Red is often used at weddings in China, the bride sporting a red dress, and is often used to wrap money or gifts. Indeed, the special red packets (lai see in Cantonese or hóng bāo in Mandarin) are monetary gifts distributed at Chinese New Year. The only negative association that red holds in China is its use in writing. Writing someone’s name in red usually signals that they have either been cut of your life, or they have died, hence the use of red ink in obituaries.

In Japan, red is associated with heroism and heroic figures are clad in red garments. In India, red is associated with marriage. Bridal dresses are traditionally red and married women are often depicted in red in the media. Red is the colour, not of led gu10 bulbs, but of beauty, the goddess Lakshmi, and of beauty.