THE COLOR OF JULY
For July birthdays,
a reminder of what matters
July’s lucky color is red.
Red represents ruby, July’s birthstone. Psychological research has linked red with emotional arousal, attention and an impression of strength.
Here, we interpret those features as small, personal ways to take a step toward good fortune.
RESEARCH RECORDS
Exploring red
through color research
The impression red makes changes with the context.
Knowing some of its tendencies helps us consider how to use it for a particular purpose.
January’s lucky color is red too. Does July draw on the same research?
Some of it overlaps because the color is the same. For July, we focus on expressing what you have discovered matters deep within your heart.
RED RESEARCH
Red and powerful feelings
A large review of color and emotion research connects red with emotions high in arousal, including love, excitement and passion: feelings that stir us deeply.
Could red help me notice the feeling ‘I really love this’?
On a day when you want to explore that feeling, use red as a small marker that reminds you to notice what is already within you.
RED RESEARCH
Red as a signal for attention
In an experiment involving an emotional context, red stimuli attracted attention and helped hold it at their location.
In everyday life, one small red detail can become your own cue: ‘I do not want to forget this today.’
Like marking an important plan in red?
Yes, and it could also mark a feeling you want to cherish today. Let it be a cue that brings you back to yourself.
RED RESEARCH
Red and an impression of strength
Research on implicit associations found a link between red and dominance, connecting the color with an impression of power.
In our everyday interpretation, strength can also mean expressing an opinion, stepping forward or showing that something matters to you.
That sounds like a color that suits Leo.
It does. Cancer can also show strength by standing up for what it wants to protect. Both that protective strength and Leo’s self-expression belong in July’s red.
RED AT A GLANCE
Red’s qualities and meanings
These research associations offer starting points for a personal lucky-color practice.
- Emotion
- Red is often associated with emotions high in arousal.
- Attention
- Research has linked red with attention in an emotional context.
- Strength
- Red can be associated with an impression of power and confidence.
- Passion
- Love, excitement and passion are among the feelings associated with red.
Knowing these features helps you choose which one you would like to draw on today.
WHY RED IN JULY?
Why is red
July’s lucky color?
This site features ruby as July’s representative birthstone.
Ruby is known for its vivid red.
We use a characteristic birthstone color as the foundation for each month’s lucky color. Ruby’s red creates that connection for July.
July has its own story alongside that color.
We read 7 as a number of inquiry, reflection and looking deep within the heart for meaning.
Cancer
Cancer receives feelings with care and protects important people and places.
Explore Cancer →July 23–31Leo
Leo expresses a sense of self and shows strength for what matters.
Explore Leo →Alongside that movement, we place the emotional energy, attention and impression of strength associated with red.
July’s red can remind you of what matters deep in your heart, supporting a step to protect it or communicate it.
For July, I start by finding my true feelings, even though the color is the same red.
Yes. Find what matters, then let red remind you of it. That sequence feels very July.
JULY BIRTHSTONERead ruby’s story→HOW TO USE RED
Red for
your July strengths
Enjoy a lucky color as encouragement for a step you choose toward good fortune.
Emotional energy
Direct your heart toward something you love, and give that feeling words or action.
Attention
Bring your gaze back to a feeling or goal you do not want to forget.
An impression of strength
Let red be a reminder to communicate your opinion or step into your role when needed.
Passionate associations
Remember the warmth you feel toward a person or activity you love.
Awareness of what matters
Among the many voices around you, return to what you want to protect.
On a day when you want to check in with an important feeling.
On a day for communicating something that matters.
When you want to express your own opinion.
When you want to return to what you love.
RED EFFECT ACTIVE
Let red be an ally
in your July story
- Emotional energy↑
- Attention↑
- An impression of strength↑
- Passionate associations↑
- Awareness of what matters↑
At times like those, place one small red detail somewhere you can see it.
July’s red seems to ask ‘What matters to you?’ rather than simply ‘Try harder!’
Yes. When you find your answer, choose one small step of your own. Red can be a reminder along the way.
You don’t have to believe.Just listen first.Which important feeling would you like red to remind you of today?