Why do brothels all over the world have a red light at their door?

Answer 1

This is a tradition so old that they probably will not be able to pinpoint the origin. As far as I am aware, they used to place red lanterns in their windows in Ancient Greece to let prospective males know that they were open for business. They would shut the lamp off to let them know they were, *cough*, engaged...with a client.

Answer 2

In the 1800s railroad men would frequent the brothels in San Fransisco at the end of the trains run. They would hang their red railroad lanterns outside the brothels. Thus we got the term "Red Light District." The red light has become a symbol for brothels since that time.

Answer 3

Probably due to the term "red light district" which describes the localized area of brothels and "adult" entertainment. The origin of the phrase "red light district" was answered once by Ask Yahoo staff:

"According to the Origin of Phrases site, the term "red-light district" dates back to the railroading days around the beginning of the 20th century. Railroad crews used red lanterns for signaling and lighting, and most crew members carried one with them as they left the train yard. When they paid a visit to a working girl, the men would leave the lantern on the porch of the prostitute's house while they were inside, probably to signal that she was busy. "

Answer 4

Red-light district (hence the red lights)

Example: The De Wallen red-light district in Amsterdam is a neighbourhood where prostitution and other businesses in the sex industry flourish. The term "red-light district" was first recorded in the United States around 1890, and derives from the practice of placing a red light in the window to indicate to customers the nature of the business. The color red has been associated with prostitution for millennia: in the Biblical story of Rahab a prostitute in Jericho aided the spies of Joshua and identified her house with a scarlet rope.

Some say the origin of the red light comes from the red lanterns carried by railway workers, which were left outside brothels when the workers entered, so that they could be quickly located for any needed train movement.

In more recent years the red light district term has its name from the red lights that hang from the district's brothels.

[1] One of the many terms used for a red-light district in Japanese is akasen, literally meaning "red-line", apparently of independent origins from the English term. Japanese police drew a red line on maps to indicate the boundaries of legal red-light districts. They also have a term aosen meaning "blue-line", for a non-legal district. In different cultures red-light districts are identified differently, the most common being "district of prostitutes" (e.g., in Hindi - Randi Guli or Street of Prostitutes; in Bengali - Khanki Para or Neighbourhood of Prostitutes.)

Answer 5

I didn't know that they did. I've never seen a brothel. I have heard the term 'red light district'. Maybe that's why.

Answer 6

If the light is green, its OK for you to go in. Red means its busy. So it became known as the red light districts.

Answer 7

Back in previous centuries when sailors would come to town, ladies would but lamps in there window covered with a red fabric to let sailors know they were offering services.

Answer 8

So you can't see the girl clearly who you are about to pay for.

Cos if you seen her under a real light you'd ask for a full refund plus compensation for shock and distress.

Answer 9

Someone once told me the red light is basically their way of letting you know they are open for business..........

Answer 10

Red, means STOP!