Outlander: Symbolism of Jamie’s Color

The color associated with Jamie is red. One of my favorite lines in regards to Jamie’s coloring is how the old fortuneteller in Paris describes him in A Breath of Snow and Ashes.

“T’es un chat, toi,” the old woman had remarked, in tones of malicious interest. “You’re a cat, you. A little red cat.” (ch. 10)

To understand the meaning of the red color, one must comprehend how the shamanistic system works. Here is a simplified version of the Cherokee shamanistic system (Mooney, 342).

Cardinal Point
Color
Meaning
East
Red
Success; triumph
North
Blue
Defeat; trouble
West
Black
Death
South
White
Peace; happiness

Mooney states that a shaman “invokes the Red Man to the assistance of his client and consigns his enemy to the fatal influences of the Black Man” (342). According to Peter Bewlie, shamans call the Red Man to help a client. They also invoke the Blue Man to bring defeat and trouble to the enemy (The Fiery Cross, ch. 81). Both the Red Man and the Blue Man are not only invoked to be successful in a battle. They are also called when somebody needs to be cured of illness. In his ethnological research, Mooney explains the formula the Cherokee used to treat rheumatism.

. . .The white or red spirits are generally invoked for peace, health, and other blessings, the red alone for the success of an undertaking, the blue spirits to defeat the schemes of an enemy or bring down troubles upon him, and the black to compress his death. The white and red spirits are regarded as the most powerful, and one of these two is generally called upon to accomplish the final result (347).

Of note is how Master Raymond saves Claire from dying after miscarrying Faith. First, he efficiently heals her by touching various parts of the body, including her breasts and womb. This process resembles the method that Hector McEwan uses in treating his patients, by touching and by transmitting healing energy, represented by a blue glow (I will be discussing more this in my next post). It seems that Raymond is the first character in the series to be associated with this healing energy. I think the author is using a form of alternative medicine in the series known as energy medicine or energy healing. Furthermore, Master Raymond asks Claire to call the red man. This process resembles how Amerindian shamans invoke different spirits for healing purposes: “Now,” he said softly. Call him. Call the red man. Call him” (Dragonfly in Amber, ch. 25). In this particular case, the red man is Jamie. Therefore, Jamie has the spirit of the warrior, of victory in him.

In An Echo in the Bone, Jamie gives Claire the blessing of the warrior before she goes to help Lizzie Weymiss in giving birth to her second child. During this scene, the Red Man associated with the Scottish tradition is given a name: Michael of the Red Domain, which I believe to be a syncretic entity. Claire muses that this blessing is given to a warrior before going to battle and that she has given it to Jamie in the past (ch. 11).

Of interest is how the Amerindians see people with red hair, which is an uncommon characteristic even among the Europeans. In A Breath of Snow and Ashes, Bird-who-sings-in-the-morning sends Jamie native women to sleep with him as a sign of gratitude. Of course, Jamie refuses them, and he is always concerned about offending Bird. Is there a particular reason for Bird to do this? The women are not crazy about Hiram Crombie once he becomes the King’s agent. The reason for Bird’s decisions is not only associated with pleasing the King’s representative or good looks at an old age. William Ransom’s interaction with Glutton, Ian’s acquaintance in An Echo in the Bone gives the reader an idea that red hair is a desirable characteristic for the Amerindians: “You got one red beard, Bear Cub, you know that?” (ch. 559). This comment is made before Glutton starts treating William’s injured arm. Overall, it seems that red-haired people have the spirit or the backing of the Red Man detailed in the shamanistic system.

The scene between Jamie and the Amerindian women is worthy of analysis. One of them seems to be concerned about their kids inheriting Jamie’s red hair.

“The one lady is saying it’s a disappointment to her, Uncle, because you’re verra nicely equipped. The other is more philosophical about it, though. She says they might have borne ye children, and the bairns might have red hair.” His nephew’s voice quivered.

“What’s wrong wi’red hair, for God’s sake?”

“I dinna ken, quite, but I gather it’s not something ye want your bairn to be marked with, and ye can help it.” (A Breath of Snow and Ashes, ch. 14)

Obviously, only one of the native women is concerned about red hair. This contradicts Glutton’s comments about it or the lack of concern that Bird exhibits for it. The main point here is that the significance of red hair goes beyond Jamie’s extremely attractive physical appearance. Is there something negative with red hair? So far, only one character, a native woman, shows concern about it, which means that it is something more personal as opposed to general.  In the Scottish tradition, there seems to be something negative about it, and Young Ian is most likely influenced by Celtic beliefs in this particular case. This negativity to red hair brings to mind the first footing tradition in the Scottish New Year celebration.

. . . “First footing” (that is, the “first foot” in the house after midnight) is still celebrated a bit in Scotland. The luckiest possible first foot should be male and dark (possibly a throwback to the Viking days when blond strangers meant trouble) . . . (Frankel, 103)

Of course, the Vikings were mainly blond due to their Nordic / Germanic background. Red hair also originates from the Vikings.

Celtic Red Hair from Vikings

If you were a Celt living in Scotland during the time that Vikings used to raid, you would be terrified of somebody having red hair. Jamie is feared by many, including both likable and unpleasant characters. Master Raymond is scared of him when he meets him. The Protestants who settled on Fraser’s Ridge fear him. Does this contradict the warrior image? No. A real warrior is a good fighter, and he or she is supposed to be feared by his or her enemies.

When it comes to the Amerindian tradition, there are two options to consider.

  1. The native woman is concerned that her kids of mixed race might be stigmatized.
  2. Somebody with red hair is “visual.”After Culloden, Jamie lived in a cave for seven years and wore a particular type of hat to conceal his red hair. His son, William, realizes that he is at a disadvantage working as a spy for Captain Richardson. William is tall and handsome as his father, and also exhibits a red beard. Jamie’s and William’s physical attributes are memorable.

In regards to the second point, the best parallel can be found in evolutionary biology. The male peacock is colorful and beautiful compared to the dull female. Regarding reproduction, he would be successful because females would like those beautiful colors in their offsprings. However, being colorful makes him visible to predators putting him at a disadvantage.

I also came across the following link at Outlander Book Club. It has some comments from the author in which she answers certain questions.

Questions about the Characters

Of interest is the following comment about Master Raymond.

He is–or was–a shaman, born with the ability to heal through empathy. He sees auras plainly; those with his power all have the blue light he has–born warriors, on the other hand, are red (so yes, “the red man” is iconic). He has a rather strong aversion to Vikings, owing to events that happened in his own time; hence his nervousness when he sees Jamie. He’s afraid of them, but he also realizes just what a strong life-force they have–that’s why he makes Claire invoke it (using the sexual and emotional link between her and Jamie) to heal her.

I guess her comments explain why many are scared of Jamie, and it supports my explanation. Furthermore, Jamie has a red aura. Overall, it seems that whatever negativity red color brings, it is overcome by all the advantages that it offers.

Thanks for reading this post, and remember that Jamie (red) + Claire (white) = pink, one of my favorite colors. Keep in mind that the red and the white spirits are the most powerful.

Sources:

Frankel, Valerie Estelle. The Symbolism and Sources of Outlander. Jefferson: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. 2015. Print.

Gabaldon, Diana. A Breath of Snow and Ashes. 2005. New York: Bantam Dell. 2006. Print.

– – – . Dragonfly in Amber. New York: Bantam Dell, 1993. Print.

– – -. An Echo in the Bone. 2009. New York: Bantam Dell. 2011. Print.

– – -. The Fiery Cross. 2001. New York: Bantam Dell. 2005. Print.

Mooney, James. Cherokee History, Myths and Sacred Formulas. Cherokee: Cherokee Publications. 2006. Print.

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