White Color Symbolism Facts & Meaning: Zodiac, Omens, Dreams, and Myths
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White Color Meaning
The white color is commonly known as the stark opposition of black. White depicts the color of snow, clouds, bones, eggs, or milk. It is a color that some people may find boring, plain, simple, or minimalist. The color white primarily means cleanliness, balance, and divine. It is the lightest of all colors.
White is clean. Like a blank sheet of paper, it is a clean state. It is often associated with sterility where medical institutions, laboratories, and hospitals are recognized with the use of the color. White is also a representation of virginity where brides wear white gowns on their wedding day. In design, it also represents minimalist aesthetic which is a common method applied to achieve a clean look. It can make small rooms appear airy, big, and spacious. Companies were even able to create powerful, modern and discreet designs for promoting brands and placing products on the center stage. White also represents an end to a cycle and the beginning of something new. Many times, new transitions make people unconsciously develop attraction to white clothing or accessories such as when got a new job, relationship, place, or anything of significant change. As a color of cleanliness, it indicates the act of wiping off. This can be comparable and commonly observed in the use of everyday cleaning products like bar soaps, shampoos, toothpaste, tissues, and paper towels. These usually white objects indicate means of cleaning.
As an inclusive color, white favors not a single hue, which shows an equal and balance characteristic. White is the most colorful of colors, it contains an equal quantity of every colors in the spectrum. Science tells that white light comprises all the colors of the rainbow but to the naked eye, white is the absence of color. It is a very neutral color that can be used as a base for other colors. It highlights the effects of colors nearby. White represents fairness and equality. White rejects none and embraces all.
The white color unequivocally represent the divine. It is a color worn by high priests especially in very important occasions. White represents perfection, considerably the most complete color. It is a spiritual color of wholeness and completion. Divine beings and angels are often portrayed in the color white.
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White Color History
Along with the colors black, brown, red, and yellow, the color white is one of the firsts to be used in art. The use of white as a background was observed on the prehistoric drawings found in a cave in France. Its usage was also respected at the time of ancient Egyptians. It is associated with one of the main goddesses of ancient Egypt, Isis, the goddess of life and magic. White linens were being worn by the followers as well as used for mummifying ceremonies. An inorganic chemical compound that can be used for dyeing called alum which is a hydrated double sulfate salt of aluminium is their common source for making white pigment. Starting with a white powder base, the ancient Egyptians were also able to have developed many colored pigments.
White is an important color for the ancient Greeks. This can be observed in their arts along with the color black, red, and yellow. It has been found that a highly toxic white lead pigment is being used to produce the color. Without any idea of the harm the chemical element can bring, it is believed that the people were completely not knowledgeable of the toxic properties. Throughout the history of Rome, a white outfit has been important for many religious, political, and social activities.
During the 18th century, the color white started to become a color of fashion for both men and women. White wigs and white stockings are being worn by upper class men. Highly detailed white gowns are being worn by the women. It has become the most fashionable color associated with the upper class after the French revolution.
A new white pigment made from titanium oxide, called ‘titanium white’, became available towards the end of the 19th century. It is an extremely brighter pigment with higher tinting strength of white than the white lead pigment. Titanium white has eventually became widely popular that it comprised 80% of all white pigment sales. Even painters and artists love the quality of the white pigment. In fact, more than 3,000,000 tons of titanium oxide worldwide is being produced each year these days.
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White Color Symbolism
White Color Positive Symbolism
White is a tidy and refreshing color with several positive associations. The color can be blinding to people accustomed to dark, but can be illuminating to the troubles of society. Symbolically an opposite of the color black, the good guy is often depicted in media with the color white while the bad guy in black. When used in balanced proportions it can be a haven away from the dark. The positive symbolism of the color white includes purity, truth, and peace.
The simplicity of white is untainted by any other hue. It is an unadulterated mark of purity. It represents anything good and right. It talks innocence and morality. White is inviolable that it reveals blemish by comparison with its purity. It offers an inner cleansing for the heart and mind.
As a symbol of truth, white is unblemished by dishonesty. It heralds faith and hope to a successful beginning. With regards to knowledge and learning, white is a color of certainty, insight, and illumination. This brings calmness and comfort that can sooth a broken soul and gives life a sense of meaning.
The color white is delicate and symbolizes peace. It carries a favorable reputation that is popularly associated with the good things. It disperses away negative energy and brings a heavenly atmosphere. The divine color casts away evil, purifying the thoughts and safeguarding the well-being. It makes a person feel good. It offers a place to be holy and safe which allows rejuvenation of the soul. It kindles energy that does not threaten or endanger but instead restores, protects, and encourages. As a symbol of peace, it is commonly portrayed with the white dove.
White Color Negative Symbolism
Having all the colors in the spectrum, white also displays not only positive but negative aspects just the same. Being associated with morality, it can be uncomfortable to some. The color can feel impersonal, distant, and cold. It creates feeling of loneliness and isolation to a person. White becomes too perfect or too artificial.
A sharp contrast with white can make other colors too vibrant and overwhelming. If white is an indication of new life, it is also a primary color for funerals. It is both a means to an end and a new beginning which not many people find it easy to accept.
Excessive brightness and brilliance makes it difficult for the human eye to perceive the color which means too much white can be a downside. It can produce an atmosphere of emptiness and ignorance. This makes white appear colorless, an empty and undesirable attribute. The plain quality and simplicity of white also makes the color a representation that bears lack of imagination and creativity.
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White Color Physical and Psychological Effects
The color white is definite and illuminating. It is considered helpful in keeping the mind focused and organized. It can bring a sense of clarity and allows establishment of realistic borders. The mind and body will feel more enlightened and encouraged with the color white. The color is known to offer cleansing, clearing of obstacles, creation of fresh beginnings, and purification of thoughts.
However, excessive white can be uncomfortable. To the human eye, a white bright light can even be blinding. It can easily cause headaches in some people. To manage the color properly, white is usually accented with a dominant and brighter color that creates a desired balance especially in the field of design.
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White Favorite Color: Traits and Personality
The color white is not usually found to be a personal favorite color. It has been observed that people only find attraction to the color at times of major life transitions like death, changes in career, situation, or relationship status.
For the minority who finds motivation, there is a lot to say about them who love the color white. Personality traits among the individuals who finds white a personal favorite color include being clean and neat in appearance. Since white reveals dirt better than most other colors, you probably find them to be pretty tidy people. These individuals are also cautious, practical, and conservative with their finances. They display excellent self-control. It is common for these kind of people to display an optimistic outlook, imbued with great planning skills, and often a step ahead. As a person who is not impulsive, decisions are being thought of very carefully before being acted upon.
However, there are also negative personality traits associated with the color white. They tend to struggle in communicating their needs and desires. These people tend to find it difficult to display open-mindedness and flexibility. There is an impeccable standard of hygiene and cleanliness they expect from others which often have them disappointed.
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White Color Cultural Symbolism
To signify purity, the white is a traditional choice of color for gowns used by brides in western countries. It is also symbolic of peace, innocence, and elegance. It is also a color used to depict angels which can be seen in white robes and white glow. A white picket fence is also particularly popular in the United States which means a happy ideal middle-class suburban home. To indicate a request of truce or accept surrender, the use of a white flag is symbolical. In Rome, white robes and veils were used by priestesses of the goddess Vesta to signify their loyalty and purity.
Wearing white outfit is very common at funerals in the eastern culture. It is a tradition in many Asian countries, including China and Korea, to associate the color white with death and mourning. In Sri Lanka, a white color is also worn at funerals in respect of their dead. It is also a color worn by Buddhists for certain rites and rituals. Men of Islamic religion also wear white before going to Mosques for prayers especially on Fridays. When an Indian woman wears white garments, it means respect to a dead husband. It also means detachment from society and pleasures of life surrounding her.
Tibetans view white as the color of Mount Meru which symbolizes an ascent to enlightenment. The mountain is also considered as the center of all the physical, metaphysical, and spiritual universes. In Peru, white is a color in the Peruvian national flag that represents peace and justice. This is in contrast with the red stripe of their flag which denotes bloodshed.
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White Color Zodiac Sign
The white color is the zodiac color for Cancer. It is associated with the water element and feminine energy. The power color is a resemblance of the glistening surface of water and the shining face of the moon. People born under Cancer tends to be caring, emotional, and empathetic. They yearn for connection and experiences based on feelings. They are highly sensitive of their surroundings and the people around them. The white color encourages a Cancer to connect with greater intuition and develop a clean, clear slate. It increases their sensitivity and understanding, allowing compassion to pour at its best.
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White Color Omens and Superstitions
To get rid of emotional clutter, prejudice, and inner critic the use of a white gem is believed to be helpful. It is also said that people should avoid hiding behind white covers because it will only enlarge and expose the person all the more. Another superstition says that a baby born is the purest of white where life experiences and choices in due course does the painting as time goes by.
In North America, white cats and babies are warned to be kept away from each other. It is believed that white cats can put a curse on the baby when felt threatened on the innocence of the child. On the other hand, some Mediterranean beliefs favor white cats to develop a liking to a child. It is interpreted as a sign the child grows into a good person and successful individual.
White cats are lucky omens in Russia. When a white cat enters your home, it is a positive sign of money and prosperity for your household. It is in contrast with a belief in the UK which says that a visiting white cat indicates tough times are coming your way.
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White Color in Dreams
Dreaming of white can have different meanings relevant on how the color is attributed. It is usually interpreted as a positive sign. In most cases, it indicates accomplishments including big wins, promotions, and surprises. Generally, it may not sometimes be a career elevation but a spiritual growth. It often symbolizes goodness and truth but you need to further analyze the dream in relation to your reality.
If you find the color in the dream to be in such a way irritable, it reflects the sadness and disappointments of your life. Dreaming of wearing a white clothing can be an indication of depression. It counsels that you need to make changes in life to achieve a sense of positive development. You can start with physical activities that improves both physical and mental wellbeing. It may also be a sign that you simply need a little more rest. But in extreme cases, the dream may be advising you need to ask help from the right people in white – it could be a priest or a doctor.
When you dream of a blinding white light, it pertains to the things you are trying to forget. This can be similar to dreaming of your hair turning white which talks of past traumas that have formed your fear or phobia of something that you have to deal with.
If you dream about white animals or objects, it often symbolizes joy and sublimity. They are usually a sign of pleasant surprises that lies ahead.
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White Color Mythology and Folklore
According to Greek mythology, the color white is associated with milk. The legend says of a goat nurse named Amalthea to have nourished with milk and looked after Zeus, the Greek god of thunder. It also tells of the milk as a sacred substance.
In ancient Rome, a story tells of people running for public office wearing white. The Latin word for candidates is candidus. It is etymologically related to the word ‘candid,’ similar to a symbolism of white, it indicates purity. Having candidus to signify a brighter white than albus, it is said to originate where the word ‘candle’ came from.
There is a myth about the White Goddess which is a tripartite. There are three figures attributed to this triple goddess who is a female deity related to the moon. First, she is an old hag symbolic of the color black which indicates a waning. Second, she is a mother symbolic of the color red which indicates a pregnant woman. And third, she is a maiden symbolic of the color white which indicates a virgin huntress.
