Today, a red thread generally represents a unifying motif or narrative theme in a communication or in literature, the element that ties it all together. When we make a presentation, write a memo, build a sales pitch, tell a story, something has to pull it together cohesively. We call it the red thread.

Of course, this phrase wasn’t invented simply for communication purposes. The idea of a red thread as a symbol of guidance and coherence in the midst of complexity has a long cross-cultural history. In Greek mythology, the hero Theseus was tasked with slaying the Minotaur. However, after he did (if he did), Theseus also had to find his way back out of the Minotaur’s labyrinth, something even the Minotaur had never accomplished. Enter our namesake Ariadne, who gifted red thread to Theseus so he could mark his path into the maze in order to retrace his steps back out of the maze. (She also gave him a sword, which probably contributed to the mission’s success in equal measure.)

In both Chinese mythology and Japanese tradition, the red thread or red string of fate refers to an invisible cord that connects those destined to meet. The thread may stretch or tangle, but the connection is inevitable. And while the concept was originally often used in relation to romantic relationships, it has evolved to include meaningful connections of all types, including friendships, family bonds and other significant relationships.

In literature, the idea of thematic red thread crosses cultures. From the German roter Faden to the Swedish röd tråd to the French fil rouge, the red thread is a common metaphor for the main theme or unifying concept running through a narrative and connecting all parts.

And if mythology doesn’t interest you, let’s take a quick look at the British Royal Navy. As the story goes, at one point all rope used by the Royal Navy included a single strand of red thread woven through. The red thread could not be removed without undoing the entire rope, which meant even the smallest piece of rope could be identified as the property of the Crown. Translating that idea into a communication context, we might say the red thread serves as a mark of authenticity and consistency. In full transparency, though, the historical accuracy of this practice is debated, as it’s mainly recorded in literary writing from authors like Goethe rather than in official naval records. This certainly doesn’t diminish its value as a metaphor, of course.

We call the unifying theme of narratives a red thread because it should run—or be found—consistently through all elements of a communication or presentation, creating cohesion, unity and clear connection from point to point. It’s the strategic equivalent of a physical red thread pulling fabric together to create a finished piece (bringing a narrative together) or being strategically distributed to lead someone through a complex environment like a maze (or a narrative).

So. Where does your red thread take us?