Well there are cochineal insects. Humans extract their pretty red acid from them to make carmine dye.

Then they use it to dye things.

It's terrible. If they really want to color things red, why don't they just use their own blood or something...?

By the way, here in this country, red and white kamaboko (steamed seasoned fish paste) have been used as talismans since ancient times.

That ought to be fine for that violent shrine maiden...

...Don't tell her I called her that, okay?

Insects, flowers... There's obviously a meaning to their existence, right? Nah, who am I kidding.