Tracing Political Implications of the Color Red in China From 1919 to 1976

Abstract

This study explores the political implications of the color red in China from 1919 to 1976, analyzing its usage and significance within published literature through the lens of historical events and ideological shifts. Utilizing the Google Book Ngram Viewer and Voyant tools, this research traces patterns in the frequency and context of the term "红色" (red) in Chinese texts. The analysis identifies significant peaks in usage corresponding to key historical moments, including the Nanchang Uprising, the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, the establishment of the People's Republic of China, and the Cultural Revolution. The study finds that the color red is uniquely intertwined with political discourse in China, contrasting with other politically charged colors such as black, white, and yellow. Despite the color’s symbolic prominence, its direct references in pivotal political texts like Mao Zedong’s Quotations are relatively sparse, suggesting a complex interplay between visual symbolism and textual representation. The findings highlight the color red’s profound role in reflecting and shaping political ideologies during this transformative period in Chinese history.