WHY DID THE MOCHICAS PAINTED THEIR FACES RED?

In their huaco-portraits, the Mochicas painted their faces red. Often, these faces, which displayed different moods and precise physical characteristics, were painted on a white or cream-colored background. Colors such as black, brown, red, and white were used on this base. Information about Moche pottery and its facial figures: Material and colors: Moche pottery usually had a white or cream-colored base color. Designs and representations were used on this background, primarily in red, although other colors such as brown and black were also used. Huaco-Portraits: These are the most famous variety of Moche pottery and are sculptures of human faces that attempted to portray with Art: Art with a high-quality aesthetic was created, which included representations of nature and ceremonies, such as ritual battles and human sacrifices. Religious Beliefs: The iconography of their temples depicts sacrifices and ritual battles, an essential element in their ceremonies to reinforce hegemony. Identity: Several layers of Moche identity are identified, including political, ceremonial, and funerary aspects. Technology: They practiced advanced metallurgy techniques, manipulating copper, silver, and gold. Social Order: They did not form a centralized state, but rather a series of entities that shared a religious system and cultural codes. The apex of the social structure was occupied by a religious and political elite, as demonstrated by the figures of the Lord and Lady of Sipán.