White Culture and History

At New England Lifestyle we are passionate about white! Human culture has many references to white, often related to purity, innocence, virtue  and cleanliness in the west. In the East white is associated with mourning and funerals. It is the achromatic colour of maximum lightness. A colour that reflects nearly all light of all visible wavelengths, a response to the maximum stimulation of the retina. A colour at one extreme end of  the scale of grays – opposite to black.

The angels in early art were depicted draped in white. In Egypt the Pharaoh wore a white crown to verify his dominion over Upper Egypt. Greeks wore white to cause pleasant dreams. Ancient Persians believed all Gods wore white. In Siam white elephants are sacred and closer to home in ancient Ireland white represented South. A white flag represents peaceful and friendly intentions or a symbol of surrender. Many people believe it is bad luck to be married in anything but white, white representing the death of an old life and the birth of a new life. In Victorian England accusations of cowardice were delivered by presenting the target with a white feather.

This entry was posted on Saturday, April 24th, 2010 at 7:05 am and is filed under Lifestyle. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.