Today I give my thoughts to how we welcome our very important guests.
Most popularly the commercial and political world would roll out the RED CARPET .
More generally "red carpet treatment" and "rolling out the red carpet", refer to any special efforts made in the interests of hospitality.
The earliest known reference to walking a red carpet in literature is in the play Agamemnon by Aeschylus, written in 458 BC. When the title character returns from Troy, he is greeted by his vengeful wife Clytemnestra who offers him a red path to walk upon:
"Now my beloved, step down from your chariot, and let not your foot, my lord, touch the Earth. Servants, let there be spread before the house he never expected to see, where Justice leads him in, a crimson path."
Agamemnon, knowing that only gods walk on such luxury, responds with trepidation:
"I am a mortal, a man; I cannot trample upon these tinted splendors without fear thrown in my path."
Oriental carpets in Renaissance painting often show rugs and carpets, patterned but with red often the main background colour, laid on the steps to a throne, or on a dais where rulers or sacred figures are placed. So it is very probable that the Chinese emperors in the past expected the red carpet treatment. Courtiers were only too happy to do so in order to keep their heads on their shoulders!
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| Foochow Associations Leaders lining up for a red carpet welcome. |
However unrolled carpets can be potentially hazardous. In 2010, when Pope Benedict XVI arrived atEdinburgh airport in strong winds for a state visit to Britain, the red carpet was removed on health and safety grounds.
A red carpet is also used in gala celebrity events such as the Academy Awards, Met Ball and Baftas. Whilst the awards take place inside, much of the publicity and excitement takes place outside with journalists discussing what designers are being worn by which stars and photographers taking pictures. This is now a spectacular international product placement arena of great importance to the fashion industry. Red carpets are now also used at non-royalty or celebrity events such as weddings.
Carpeting in other colors may replace red in some instances to honor a certain cause or for a sponsored event, the sponsor's logo colors, such as a "green carpet" to promote environmental awareness, or for the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards, an orange carpet is used instead to go with the network's primary imaging color.
United Airlines operates a series of VIP Lounges at major airports known as "Red Carpet Clubs".
With Easter looming up my thoughts are channeled to one welcome a long time ago when the people who were waiting for their Messiah to come. They shouted Hosana! Hosana! and waved green palms and strewn the streets with more palms.
this was a Green Carept Welcome for their King!
Perhaps people are not used to waving palms any more and prefer to use red carpet. It is also because people like to foloow what others are doing. We have become a huge global village. When London rolls out a red carpet even Kapit does it too. There's a lot of hype about the red carpet today. Really!
.But I have lots of other thoughts which come into mind too.
How more meaningful it is to us today as we need to love our environment more and conserve and protect our earth....A red carpet costs a fortune but looking from the earth's views how many camels or sheep we have to kill in order to get the fibre for the carpets!! How many children have been forced into child labour to make the very fine carpets in some countries!
Enough said about red carpets and their making!!
As for me and my children we will remember the significance of waving palms and cry Hosana! till the end of our days.
Perhaps people are not used to waving palms any more and prefer to use red carpet. It is also because people like to foloow what others are doing. We have become a huge global village. When London rolls out a red carpet even Kapit does it too. There's a lot of hype about the red carpet today. Really!
.But I have lots of other thoughts which come into mind too.
How more meaningful it is to us today as we need to love our environment more and conserve and protect our earth....A red carpet costs a fortune but looking from the earth's views how many camels or sheep we have to kill in order to get the fibre for the carpets!! How many children have been forced into child labour to make the very fine carpets in some countries!
Enough said about red carpets and their making!!
As for me and my children we will remember the significance of waving palms and cry Hosana! till the end of our days.
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