Circle of Protection: Red

Circle of Protection: Red debuted in the Alpha set in 1993 as part of the original Magic: The Gathering base set. Designed by Richard Garfield, the card was created to provide players with a strategic defensive tool against aggressive red decks, reflecting the game's core color wheel philosophy where each color possesses specific counters to the strengths of others. The inclusion of this card in the Fourth Edition, released in 1995, marked its transition into the game's modern era as a staple of the white color identity.

The artwork for the Fourth Edition printing features the work of Jesper Myrfors, the game's original art director. His illustration depicts a stylized, protective barrier that embodies the concept of 'protection from damage' through a simple, mystical aesthetic. The card was well-received by the early player base for its utility in sideboard play, becoming a classic example of the 'circle' enchantment cycle that has remained a recurring feature throughout the history of the card game.