Mars is the planet of bravery, accidents, marriage and a lot more about life, lifestyle, expectations and reality. Know more about the same here and how Mars or Mangal Grah saves you.

Why is Red the color of Mars (Mangal)?

In Hindu mythology, Mars, known as Mangal, has long been associated with the colour Red. Its fiery hue dominates the night sky which distinguishes it from other celestial bodies. But have you ever why the colour Red is associated with Mars? The answer to this lies in both scientific explanations and mythological interpretations, particularly in Hinduism where Mars holds significant astrological and spiritual importance.

If we start with mythological interpretations, in Hindu astrology and mythology, Mars is not just a planet but also a powerful deity known as Mangal or Kuja. The name “Mangal” in itself is derived from the Sanskrit word “Mangala”, which means auspicious.

Mangal is taken to be the son of Earth which is personified as Bhoomi Devi. When Earth was lying submerged under the cosmic ocean, stolen by the demon Hiranyaksha, Vishnu in his incarnation as Varaha brought it out on his tusks and placed it in orbit. He embraced Bhoomi Devi and gifted her a red coral as a token of their courtship. But Bhoomi Devi dropped the coral into the ocean and from the coral emerged a beautiful red child who got the name Lohitanga, which translates into red- limbed body. The child is also called Bhooma, meaning Bhoomi’s son.

Further, this child was nurtured by the sage Bharadwaj who was one of the Sapta Rishis, in his hermitage near the Narmada. After hearing of his origin from the sage, the child went to the forest and did penance for a long time. Pleased with his devotion, Brahma accorded him the position of a planet in the celestial sky and that planet is named Mangal also known as Mars.

Additionally, God Mangal is often associated with aggression, war, and celibacy. This paradox came out through various legends like according to Hindu scriptures it is believed that Mangal (Mars) is born from the sweat and blood of Lord Shiva. One popular legend says that when Shiva opened his third eye in a moment of divine wrath, a drop of his sweat fell to the Earth and gave birth to Mangal. Another tale places his birth from the blood of Lord Vishnu that fell on Earth during celestial battle.

These stories clearly underline his martial and fiery nature. Born out of divine heat and warlike essence, Mangal embodies the qualities of courage, assertiveness, and fierce determination. Naturally, red becomes the colour that captures these traits and presents a symbol of strength and vitality.

Further, it is also believed that red is considered as the symbol of cosmos and culture as it is seen as a colour of power. In Hindu tradition, it is considered as the colour of Shakti (the divine feminine energy), passion, and sometimes even destruction (as seen in the red hued goddess Kali). This duality of creation and destruction aligns beautifully with the nature of Mars both as a celestial object and as a deity.

In Vedic astrology, Mangal is one of the nine “Navagrahas” that influence human destiny. He governs Tuesday, a day considered ideal for acts requiring strength or courage. Devotees wear red clothes and offer red lentils, hibiscus flowers, and vermillion to influence Mangal. In all these rituals Red becomes not just a colour but a frequency which channels the energetic vibration of this planetary deity.

It is believed in astrology that Mars (Mangal) rules Aries and Scorpio, both signs associated with drive and intensity. If Mars is well- placed in a person’s birth chart, it brings valor, confidence, and leadership. If afflicted, it may cause anger, conflict and impulsiveness. The infamous “Mangal Dosha” is a condition in Hindu astrology where an unfavourable Mars placement is believed to bring turmoil in marital life which again reinforces Mars’ link to fiery, potentially disruptive energy. Therefore, the redness of Mars then is not just a physical attribute but a metaphor for its energetic footprint in astrology. It reflects the raw passion, the heat of battle and the urgency of action.

Now coming to scientific explanations of why red colour is associated with Mars. So, from a scientific perspective, Mars owes its reddish appearance to iron oxide, commonly known as rust. The planet’s surface is rich in iron minerals, and over billions of years, these minerals have reacted with oxygen (even in trace amounts) and moisture which creates a layer of rust that covers much of the Martian soil and rocks. Therefore, this science clearly confirms that Mars is red due to a natural chemical process which is rusting on a planetary scale.

Last but not the least, when we look at Mars through a telescope, we see a red desert world which is cold, lifeless, and windswept. But when our ancestors looked up, they saw a god, a being whose redness spoke of divine power and cosmic responsibility. These two views of science and mythology are not at odds but rather complementary. Where science explains the ‘how’, mythology seeks to understand the ‘why’. Why does Mars burn red in the sky? Because it is the mirror of cosmic energy, the energy of transformation, conflict and strength.

Therefore, why is red the colour of Mars? Scientifically, it is rust and spiritually, it is the fire of divinity. Culturally, it is the colour of courage and karma. Whether through the lens of a telescope or the eye of devotion, red defines Mars not just in colour but in character. When we see that glowing dot in the sky which is fiery and watchful, it serves as a reminder of the balance between aggression and purpose, power and responsibility. And in both ancient scripture and modern science, red continues to tell the story of a planet and a god burning with meaning.

This article is written by our most talented writer, Nikita and we are proud of you...

 

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