Red Riding Hood has been seen as a parable of sexual maturity. In this interpretation, the red cloak symbolizes the blood of menstruation, braving the “dark forest” of womanhood. Or the cloak could symbolize the hymen (earlier versions of the tale generally do not state that the cloak is red). In this case, the wolf threatens the girl’s virginity. The anthropomorphic wolf symbolizes a man, who could be a lover, seducer or sexual predator. This differs from the ritual explanation in that the entry into adulthood is biologically, not socially, determined.

(art: Blaz Porenta)