The colour white

To me, the colour white is purity, innocence. It makes me think of a blank canvas. To me it represents the colour of new beginnings. This is the reason why I chose it as the last colour in my series. 

Writing this post has also been an interesting experience for me. It marks the end of a project that I started in May 2020, to help me deal with what I am going through. The past few months have been quite trying for me and my family. So I see this as a new beginning, I am turning a new leaf, starting over. 

During this time, there are two quotes that have resonated in me deeply. The first, from Dr Seuss “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”, the second, from Sonia Ricotti “Accept what is, let go of what was, and have faith in what will be.” In writing and saying it out loud, it’s always easier said than done. So I’m dedicating this page to new beginnings. I am calling all the forces in the universe to lift me up, to help me enter this new chapter of my life with positivity, whatever lies ahead. 

Facts

White is similar to black in the sense that in some readings, it’s treated as a colour in other’s it’s referred to as a non-colour.

For the non-colour tribe, white doesn’t feature on a traditional color wheel, as it is considered to be a non-color. For the colour tribe, white is the lightest colour. It is achromatic, meaning that it has no hue. It’s considered to be the opposite of black. While black absorbs all other colors, white reflects and scatters all the visible wavelengths of light. It is the color of fresh snow, chalk and milk.

For web design, a true white can be achieved using the hex code #FFFFFF and maximum values of red, blue, and green in an RGB model (255, 255, 255). This is based on Newton’s theory of white light refraction. In 1666 he demonstrated that white light was in fact made up of several colored light composites. To produce the white light we see on  television and computer screens, red, blue, and green light are mixed at full intensity. This technology is directly inspired by Newton’s theory.

The word “white” comes from the Indo-European root “Kweit” meaning “to shine”. As well as generating the Sanskrit ‘svetah’, the Dutch ‘wit’ and the German ‘weisß’, it also gave us the word ‘wheat’, because of the white flour it produces. 

Chakras

In the world of chakras, white, like purple, is the colour associated with the crown chakra. The Crown chakra sits at the top of the chakra system. Located on the top of the head (the crown), this energy centre is associated with metaphysics, consciousness, oneness and unconditional love. The Crown chakra is the seventh and final primary chakra.

Meaning, symbolism & cultures

White is a colour of protection and encouragement, offering a sense of peace and calm, comfort and hope, helping alleviate emotional upsets. It creates a sense of order and efficiency, a great help if you need to declutter your life. 

The colour white offers an inner cleansing and purifying of your thoughts, emotions and, ultimately, your spirit, refreshing and strengthening your entire energy system.

While there are very few negative connotations to white, particularly in western culture, too much white can be cold, isolating and empty. It implies a feeling of sterility, detachment and disinterest, providing little stimulation for the senses. 

Throughout the western countries white is the traditional color worn by brides to signify purity, innocence, and virginity. In eastern countries and in some african cultures, the colour white is the color of mourning and funerals. In certain cultures, white is the colour of royalty or of religious figures, as angels are typically depicted as wearing white or having a white glow. A white picket fence surrounds a safe and happy home.

Wearing white

In many contexts white is used to represent cleanliness, sterility, and coolness. In hospitals, white uniforms and white medical packaging use white to this effect. Wearing white will help reduce any nagging feelings of disappointment or drudge. White represents cleansing and new beginnings. Putting on a white blouse feels like being given an opportunity to start the day with a clean slate. Wearing a white garment, as long as it hasn’t taken on any discolouration from too much laundering, can offer a fresh and bright outlook. It is recommended to get rid of any dingy white clothes often, replacing them with brighter whites.

White and you!

How does white make you feel? What does white mean to you? What does white remind you of? Do you like to wear white? 

This post is part of my journey to discovering the meaning of colours. My other posts cover red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet and black. Mainly the colours of the rainbow, which has become such an integral part of my life.

To you, my “rainbow angel”.

Feel free to browse my shop to see how you can add a bit of colour to your life

Sources & find out more:

http://www.arttherapyblog.com/

https://www.canva.com/

https://www.empower-yourself-with-color-psychology.com/

https://www.learnreligions.com

https://www.chakra-anatomy.com/