Color Black

Color Black - Meaning
The color black is universally recognised as the color of mourning, evil and violence. It is also the color of demons and witches. Many people associate black with elegance and style, "a smart black suit" or "a little black dress" are terms we are all familiar with. It is the color worn at many formal occasions and ceremonies, ''Black Tie" events for example. In the 19th century, black was worn by businessmen and statesmen, and considered a color of authority. Black is however also associated with bad luck. Seeing a black cat for example is considered an unlucky symbol. In ancient Greece, black was symbolic of the underworld; indeed Hades the king of the underworld is depicted sitting on an ebony black throne.

Facts about the Color Black

• Symbols Fact 1: In Christianity black was the color of the world before god created light
  

• Symbols Fact 2: It symbolises elegance in both the UK and the US and originally became a fashionable color for men in 17th century Europe
  

• Symbols Fact 3: The ancient Egyptians saw it as a positive color, the god of the underworld, Anubis who protected the dead from evil took the form of a black jackal
  

• Symbols Fact 4: In America and Europe black is the color of mourning
  

• Symbols Fact 5: The color black is often used to describe massacres. 'Black July' occurred in Sri Lanka in 1983 when many thousand Tamils were killed and injured
  

• Symbols Fact 6: The term 'Black Mass' was used to describe the ritual or ceremony performed by witches and others who performed witchcraft during their witches sabbath
  

• Symbols Fact 7: It is the traditional color of black magic and witchcraft!
  

• Symbols Fact 8: Crayola introduced a unique shade of black called 'Black Leather Jacket' in 1994 for its magic scent pen range
  

• Symbols Fact 9: In the financial world, days when business is particular bad are referred to as black days. The US stock market crash on Wall Street in 1929 was commonly known as 'Black Tuesday'
  

• Symbols Fact 10: The term 'Black Monday' was a nickname given by school children to describe the first day back at school after the holidays!
  

• Symbols Fact 11: One of the natural colors of the gemstone pearl is black. The origin of the name Pearl comes from the Latin word "pirum" which means "pear" reflecting the shape of the gem. The other natural colors of pearls are white, pink, lilac, cream, grey, and gold. Many other colors of pearls are available but they have been dyed from their natural form
  

• Symbols Fact 12: In America and the United Kingdon the color black signals authority. Police cars are often black and white in color and referred to in the UK as 'Panda Cars' and 'Black and Whites' in the US
  

• Symbols Fact 13: The academic mortarboard and gowns worn by university and college professors and graduates is always black in color to signify authority and education

Color Black - Dream Symbols
The study and interpretation of dreams is called Oneirology, the term comes from the Greek word 'oneiros' which means dream. It is thought that dreams have two meanings: a general meaning where the dream is told as a symbolic story and an individual meaning, which is specific to the dreamer. The following interpretation of the meaning of the color black in dreams is taken from the book entitled "10,000 Dreams" interpreted by Gustavus Hindman Miller:

• The color black symbolizes death, fear and ignorance and was also used to indicate authority and power

• To see yourself, or others, dressed in black, indicates quarrels, disappointments, and disagreeable companions

• If you dream of black in business, the business will fall short of expectations

Symbols - Different Shades of Black
The following are some examples of the different shades of the black:

• Jet

• Black Olive

• Onyx

• Barely

• Ebony

• Charcoal

Color Black - Symbols
Color has been used in symbols to depict emotions, personality and religion since ancient times and many colors have mystical properties associated with them. One of the the easiest ways to identify something immediately regardless of language or culture is through color. A baby dressed in pink is an obvious sign that the gender of the infant is female despite the language or country. A red road sign warns us of danger even if we might not recognise the symbol instantly. A country or sports team use colors to identify themselves through their flag and its colours. Colors are often mentioned in everyday language as well as literary terms to portray a persons feelings or emotions, being "green with envy" or "in a black mood" are familiar terms to describe jealously and feeling down.

"Signs and Symbols rule the world, not rules and law”
– Confucius (551–479 BC)

Color Black