What does the color white mean in psychology?

The meaning of the color white In Western cultures it has a great connection with spirituality, pureness and emptiness.. It is contrasted with the color black when we want to represent opposite concepts, such as good and evil.

This ideological contrast is reflected in physics itself, where the color white, even though it is achromatic, brings together all wavelengths. Black, on the other hand, is the absence of color.

White is one of the most present colors in culture and society. If you want to know more about its symbolism and applications, here you will find interesting information. Do not miss it.

Physical characteristics of the color white

White is an achromatic color, of maximum clarity and zero darkness. It is light made up of all wavelengths of the visible spectrum.. It is also used in the field of psychoacoustics, since white noise is the result of making all frequencies sound at the same time.

At a perceptual level, An object becomes whiter as it reflects more light (greater number of wavelengths). That is, when we see a white surface it is because it is reflecting a large amount of ambient light. So, for example, white clothes are the least hot in summer.

Meaning of the color white

From the Western perspective, white represents purity, freedom and peace.. It is a synonym for what is simple, for what has not been tainted by the pollution of the world – when it comes to moral convictions.

It is also related to naivety or innocence, as it represents that which is born immaculate and becomes “stained” with the passage of time. This meaning is closely linked to religion, where white represents the divine or that which cannot be corrupted.

This same association with purity leads to the feeling of cleanliness and asepsis.. Stains are easily noticeable on white surfaces, so it’s easy to tell how much dirt is on it.

Negative connotations

On the other hand, the color white can also be synonymous with bad feelings. The void is one of them, both material and spiritual.. It also symbolizes coldness of character, criticism and boredom.

A blank surface can be seen as an opportunity to create something new or enrich it, but other people associate it with simplicity, which has no nuances. The expression “going blank” is used to refer to a sudden forgetfulness, as if the mind was emptied of ideas.

The color white in different areas

The meaning of the color white changes according to the context in which it is interpreted. The role and interpretation of white in various contexts is detailed below:

1. Religion

Christianity: is associated with the purity, holiness and virtue. It is common to see it at religious events such as baptisms and weddings.Islam: It is the traditional color used in clothing worn for Friday prayers and for the pilgrimage to Mecca, the Hajj. Symbolizes peace and purity.Hinduism: is related to the purity, peace and knowledge.

2. Culture and traditions

In different Western cultures, white is used in the wedding dress, symbolizing purity and innocence.In other cultures too It is associated with grief and death.

3. Fashion

White is perceived as a Neutral and versatile color that can be combined with any garment.It represents cleanliness, formality and elegance. It can also symbolize simplicity, depending on the garment worn.

5. Politics

White flags have been used throughout history to indicate surrender or truce.In some contexts, It can symbolize peace and diplomacy.

6. Design and art

In design, it is used to create space, highlight cleanliness and modernity.In art, white can be used to highlight, create contrast or focus attention on certain elements of a work.

7. Medicine

The white clothing of health professionals, It is used to express cleanliness and sterility.It can also represent authority, knowledge and reliability.

These are just a few examples, and interpretations of white can vary depending on culture. Therefore, these meanings cannot be generalized, but must be analyzed in context.

Meaning of the color white in other cultures

White is such a characteristic and striking color that it is logical that it also finds opposite meanings depending on which cultures. To give you an idea, here are some examples:

Eastern cultures: White is the color of mourning, as it is associated with the pallor of death. In China, this color also symbolizes bad luck, which is why they usually wear red at weddings.India: In this country, white symbolizes the contemplative and isolated life. Here, widows usually wear white because of their intention to separate themselves from others to process their mourning.Nahua villages: It is the color associated with the west and with Quetzalcoatl, the god represented by a feathered serpent and who was related to the brightness of Venus in the sky.Italy: White is used at funerals for young children.

There are many more psychological nuances for this color, since not only culture determines its meaning, but also the subject’s own experience.

On the other hand, it is also interesting to study the connotations that the black-white dichotomy has had for social struggles, since its association with good (purity, naivety, the immaculate) and evil (sin, the contaminated) is present in most ideologies.

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