By Maria Rumyantseva
In the modern Western world, white is seen as a symbol of light, purity, innocence and divine hope. In other parts of the world, it can symbolize mourning, deceit, death and the afterlife. Like black, white is achromatic; it is a combination of all the colors in the visible spectrum. Despite being a non-color, white is a key tool for artists, allowing for infinite combinations of light and dark shades. These intriguing and unique qualities allow white to hold a special place in the history of art and architecture, and it has been embraced by creative minds for centuries.
One of the most prominent associations with white in Eastern cultures is its connection to mourning and funeral rites. In countries such as China, Japan and Korea, white is traditionally worn during periods of mourning, symbolizing reverence for the departed and acknowledging the solemnity of death. There are also ties between the white and cultural values of respect for ancestors, as people pay homage to their loved ones with the colour of purity. However, white takes a lighter tone during celebratory events, standing for new beginnings and purity of intentions during weddings.
White also has religious significance, often being symbolic of the holy and the divine in both life and death. In Christianity, white represents the Virgin Mary, the Immaculate Conception and the resurrection. In Buddhism, white is symbolic of the attainment of Nirvana, and Buddhist monks often wear white as they strive to achieve enlightenment. Historically, religious leaders wore white robes, a tradition that was embraced by the Ancient Egyptians and Roman Catholics. In Ancient Greece, the color represented the infinite divine power of the Greek gods and goddesses. The colour was particularly important to Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty, was often portrayed wearing white clothing to underline her divine status and purity. In religious ceremonies, white was used to fight demons and evil spirits and bring about good fortune, prosperity and health. White was a symbol of renewal, and it was often used as part of the décor in ancient temples and places of worship. During the Renaissance, white played a leading role in representing the purity and divine power of religious figures – in the the body of the Christ wearing a white cloth, or in the white angels ascending into the heavens.
White as a symbol of purity goes beyond ancient history and art, and into modern-day fashion. This is best represented in the white wedding tradition, which is believed to have originated in the mid 19th century. In 1840, Queen Victoria chose a white silk satin gown with Honiton lace as her wedding dress. The dress was chosen not only for its beauty and symbolism of purity, but also with the patriotic aim to revive the lace industry of Devon. As images of the Royal wedding spread through the growing printed media, then masses followed and white became the most widely recognized bridal colour.