Fortunately, red and white are two of my favorite colors, so I was delighted that my new summer home was already painted to suit my taste. But then, again, many lighthouses are painted red and white, which prompted me to think, why?
So I did a little research. While the information I found varies somewhat, the most prevalent answer is pretty simple – they are painted red and white so that they are highly visible. At the time many lighthouses were constructed – and still today – red was thought of as a color of caution. That definitely holds true for traffic lights, sometimes called “red-lights,” and the ubiquitous stop sign, wherein both cases red clearly means “Stop.”
Because lighthouses were designed as aids to assist in the navigation of treacherous waterways, lighthouses needed to be as noticeable as possible to serve that purpose. Likewise, the height of many lighthouses is intended to ensure they can be seen from far away and in all weather conditions. Today, many warning lights and symbols are colored red and the term “code red” translates to “emergency.” Fire trucks have traditionally been painted red for that reason as well as to stand out in traffic.
The color red has many other interesting meanings in our society and cultures around the world. Red represents love and is associated with the human heart. What other color roses would you send or receive on Valentine’s Day to symbolize that emotion?
Red can also connote power and prestige as in the red “power tie” or rolling out the “red carpet” for someone. Molten lava and fire are often shown as red in color to symbolize heat. Some foods such as hot peppers and cinnamon are colored red and may have contributed to the phrase “red hot.”
Mr. Henry Dryfus, a well-known industrial designer of the 1930s and 1940s, spent considerable time throughout his career studying color and people’s reactions to various colors to support his work improving the look, feel, and usability of consumer products. He noted that the combination of red and white are particularly prominent in the Japanese culture. When used together in Japan, they signify happiness and celebration. He cited the use of red and white in the decorative ornaments used on wedding or engagement presents – noshi or kaishi – suggesting a man's urge to create a bond between his own life and that of the gods.
Certainly not all lighthouses are painted red and white. But whoever made the decision back in the 1920s that Fairport Harbor West Lighthouse would be painted red and white, I thank you. Hopefully, it will remain those colors for a very long time as a red hot symbol of Lake County.
