Traditional Culture Encyclopedia - Traditional virtues - White color has significance in Chinese culture

White color has significance in Chinese culture

The color white has multiple meanings and importance in Chinese culture.

First of all, white is regarded as a symbol of purity. In Chinese culture, many things are related to the color white, such as white jade, white porcelain and white cranes. White is an unadulterated color that represents purity, flawlessness and absence of blemishes. In traditional culture, people often use white to describe water, snow, clouds, etc. because they are all pure and flawless.

Secondly, white is also regarded as a symbol of nobility in Chinese culture. In ancient China, white was regarded as an elegant and graceful color, and only royalty and nobility could use white clothing and utensils. In modern society, white still represents noble and elegant quality and is widely used in the design of high-end brands.

Thirdly, white also symbolizes sacredness and solemnity in Chinese culture. In traditional weddings, the bride often wears a white wedding dress, symbolizing her purity and sanctity. In religion, white is also used to represent qualities such as goodness, justice and solemnity, such as the white-robed Goddess of Mercy in Buddhism and the white-robed angels in Christianity.

In addition, although in traditional Chinese culture, white is the color used for funerals and is associated with death, it is also seen as an auspicious color in certain contexts. For example, in Chinese culture, white birds and animals are often symbols of good luck. In Japanese culture, a bride is expected to wear a white kimono on her wedding day to symbolize her purity as a virgin.

Overall, white is a color full of meaning in Chinese culture. Not only does it represent qualities such as purity, nobility, sanctity and solemnity, but it also has an auspicious meaning.