Sunday, March 21, 2010

Behind The Red Door!


Step behind the Red Door and see Eco-Friendly Freckles' latest blog feature! Kerry from The Red Door has graciously posted an interview about me, my art, work space, and more! You can check it out on her blog: Etsy Studios.



Ever wondered about the history behind painting your front door red? I have always been curious about this topic and remember talking to my grandmother and sister about it. My grandmother said that it was inviting and "good chi". In case you are a little intrigued...here is a little history behind the red door.

In China, it's tradition to paint the front door red before the New Year, to invite good luck and happiness. In Feng Shui, a red front door means “welcome.” Feng Shui is a Chinese philosophy in which the arrangement and color of objects in a room relates to the flow of energy. The front door is known as the “Mouth of Chi” where energy enters (sounds like my grandmother was right). If you believe in or follow Feng Shui, painting your front door red would create welcoming energy.

In Catholocism, the red door on a chapel symbolized the blood of christ, and other martyrs, to signify that the ground beyond the door (inside the church) was holy, and a sanctuary from physical and spiritual evils.

In Ireland, front doors are painted red to ward-off ghosts and evil spirits.

In Scotland, homeowners would paint their front door red to signify that they had paid off their mortgage

A red door means “welcome” in an old early American tradition. If a family had a red front door tired travelers traveling by horse and buggy would know that a home was a welcoming place to rest. They would be able to spend the night there.

Well now my curiosity is satisfied...I hope you have learned something new that has peaked your interest!

Please check out my latest blog post presented by The Red Door on Etsy Studios.

7 comments:

Nevita said...

I've never known about the red door. In Bulgaria (Europe) you couldn't meet red doors

Jessica Woody said...

I was wondering if red doors were popular in Europe...I should ask my sister if she noticed any in France. :-)

Chriss Smith said...

I have nominated you to receive the Sunshine Award! Please visit my blog for details: http://theartofzencrochet.blogspot.com/

Etsy Studios said...

I love your historical write up of the red door! I've always found them enchanting but didn't know their history.
Thank you for sharing!

http://thereddoor.etsy.com/

Jessica Woody said...

Thank you The Art of Zen for the Sunshine Award...and thank you Etsy Studios for your sweet comments! I also find red doors enchanting and charming. :-)

holly said...

congrats on the feature! and that's so interesting about the red door, never heard that ever

Jessica Woody said...

Thank you Holly! ;-)