Monday, September 17, 2012

Cape Photo of the Day - Photo #201


A pretty red gate in the Cape that my daughter captured with my iPhone. Here are a few superstitions and traditions associated with red doors:

In China, it's tradition to paint the front door red before the new year, to invite good luck and happiness.

In Catholocism, the red door on a chapel symbolized the blood of christ, and other martyrs, to signify that the ground beyond the door (inside the church) was holy, and a sanctuary from physical and spiritual evils.

In Ireland, front doors are painted red to ward off ghosts and evil spirits. 

Supposedly red doors were used as part of the Underground Railroad, and homes with red doors were "safe houses". 

Albert Einstein painted his door red because he couldn't recognize his house without it. 

For homeowners, a red door announces that the house is paid for, free and clear (although my door is red, and the bank still owns a large chunk of my house!)

According to the Old Testament, the Jewish slaves in Egypt smeared their doors with lambs blood as a sign that the required sacrifice had already been made, and those homes would be passed over by the Angel of Vengeance. 

And speaking of Jewish tradition, I would like to wish all of my Jewish Cape neighbors L'Shana Tova on this Rosh Hashanah. A very happy new year to you all!

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