White
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White is an achromatic color that reflects all visible light of the spectrum. Its symbolism ranges across many things. The meaning of white varies from culture to culture.
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[edit] Animals
Animals that are white are considered sacred to many cultures. For example, a white elephant was considered very sacred to the people of historical Myanmar, Cambodia, Thailand and Laos. White elephants are also found in Buddhism, as they are associated with the birth of Buddha. White buffalo were considered sacred among the Native Americans of the Great Plains, as they symbolized fertility and the gods of the earth.
[edit] Western World
In the western world, white has a positive connotation. It stands for innocence, cleanliness, purity and chaste being or faithfulness. White can also be used to symbolize cowardice or fearfulness.
In marriage, especially of Europe and the west, the bridal gown is white to represent chastity. Meaning, the bride has not engaged in pre-marital intercourse. White also symbolizes the veil of the bride.
White can also represent peace, or on the less positive aspect of peace, it can represent surrender. A white flag being flown in war means the opposition has surrendered. Such a white flag may also mean the opposition proposes a truce.
Among Native American tribes, a person born with white hair is said to possess great spiritual power.
[edit] Europe
In heraldic symbols such as that of England, white represents the metal silver. In turn, that symbolizes brightness and virtue.
[edit] East Asia
In historical and modern East Asia, white represented the element Metal, Autumn, West, and death. Its association with death led to its use as the traditional color of mourning. Also, it represented ghosts because white is an intangible color that hides nothing. kkn
