The Red Arrow
 

I'm not sure if I understand the symbolism of The Red Arrow that was presented to The Riders of Rohan to call them to war. What does it mean, and why should it change Theoden's mind from riding East to fight? [img]smilies/confused.gif[/img]

I don't believe the Red Arrow was symbolic in any way. It was simply the 'code' for letting Rohan know their aid was needed. A black arrow or a green spear would have been equally as effective. It just happened that Gondor and Rohan chose a red arrow.

The good think of literature is that you can always think of a symbol anywhere... just go to any symbol dictionary/encyclopedia

I think that it was chosen for being somehow threatening well that's an arrow in red what are the first thoughts that come to your head?!?

If Mirkgirl was too vague: red = blood (just in case you came on here drunk and couldn't figure it out). Red arrow = arrow with blood, which is usually made when someone shoots an arrow (that is in case you were COMPLETELY intoxicated).

I agree with that idea too (I mean, that's the best symbolic translation I can think of). Not the most pleasant, warm, cozy symbol, but, then again, that isn't the most pleasant, warm, cozy message!

I agree. And besides, it would sound stupid as "The Purple Arrow"

(Ok I could've picked any color but this was funny. [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img])

I meant to be vague and red=passion/threat/anger/whatever_you_name_it was what I meant.

Maybe the Stewards of Gondor used the Red Arrow because they figured those hayseeds in Rohan couldn't read.

"OK, see? Red Arrow means 'come and fight'. No, don't worry about the details. We'll fill you in when you get here. Just remember - 'Red Arrow' equals 'fight'. Simple, right?"

They might want to be a wee bit more specific than that otherwise you might end up with...

Riders of Rohan: "Hayseeds! You callin' us a bunch of ignorant hayseeds?! Oh, we're gonna come fight alright! Hayseed this you snit!"
[*Broadsword upside the head*]
[img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

[ March 29, 2002: Message edited by: Kuruharan ]

Funny, the first thing I thought of was the Moscow-St. Petersburg express train (also called the Red Arrow, though not for similar reasons, one would hope).

Isn't red just usually considered a symbol of danger or threat? In which case the meaning of a red arrow would be pretty obvious; also it's a much more dramatic symbol to flourish at your assembled troops than a piece of paper which they couldn't read from more than two feet away anyhow.

Does anyone know, BTW, how red became a symbol of potential danger (or is it just because it's the same color as blood?) Stop signs are red, of course, but there probably weren't too many of those in Rohan [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img].

[ March 30, 2002: Message edited by: Kalimac ]

Scientifically, red is the color that can be seen farthest and soonest, even when there is not much light. If I remember rightly, that's because it is the color with the longest wavelength. So choosing red to warn is logical for traffic signs and warning symbols, such as the red arrow.

How about chartreuse with purple polka-dots arrows?
Red is an attention getting color, especially if you're driving a red car. The cops seem to gravitate & pull over red cars more frequently.

Maybe they couldn't find an arrow in a different color. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Ok, that helps, thanks you guys! [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

chartreuse with purple? but that may blend in to the forest (green in the light, purplish in the shade). Now, I admit, they WEREN'T in the shade, but still...I'm just being picky because...well...that's me... [img]smilies/tongue.gif[/img] !

And I doubt, after all those years, they would misinterperate the arrow color. I mean, if one were to give ME any weapon that was painted red, I would get a hint...now if they gave me a chartreuse arrow with purple polka dots...I may just worry about the person's sanity...or I might not understand the color. Red everybody understands.

IF they sent a green or a pink arrow, it wouldn't be quite as urgent sounding. WOuld you stop at a green stop sign?

http://www.colormatters.com/accident.html

A black featherad arrow barbed with steel with a red tip sent from gondor to rohan when the former neededaid