The Global Colours of Mourning

In this blog, we embark on a vibrant journey exploring the diverse colors worn to celebrate life across cultures and continents. From joyous festivals to solemn ceremonies, colors play a significant role in expressing emotions, traditions, and cultural symbolism during these periods of mourning. Join us as we delve into the kaleidoscope of hues that grace celebrations of life around the world, unraveling the meanings behind each color and discovering the rich tapestry of global traditions.  

Black 

The colour black is commonly seen in pop culture and at funerals across the globe, and is the most common colour of mourning. The somber color is common in Western societies, where people are known to wear black to funerals. It is believed that this practice and color has been around since the ancient Romans who would don black togas during their mourning period. This tradition became even more widespread when Prince Albert died in 1861. Queen Victoria deeply mourned the loss, she mourned her husband for a staggering 40 years! She stopped appearing in public and always wore her mourning color, black. She remained in her state of mourning until her death in 1901. 

White 

While black may be a sign of death, white is the color of rebirth. In indigenous Australia, white is worn for a period of one week to as long as six months. However, you'll also find the same practice in Eastern Asia. In this region, people wear white mourning clothes as a way to symbolize rebirth and purity. 

Red 

Many in South Africa wear red during mourning, however, sadly the color is associated with bloodshed. The people of Ghana wear red for public mourning, but there is one major caveat: it's a color that can only be worn by the deceased's immediate family, and black is to be worn by everyone else in mourning. In Chinese culture, red is forbidden at funerals as it's seen as a color of happiness and is a sign of disrespect. 

Purple 

Catholics in Guatemala wore purple extensively during what was known as Holy Week. You'll also find that purple, along with black and other various dark colors, is the color of mourning in Brazil. Devout Catholics in the country have superstitions that wearing purple at a time when you're not mourning or attending a funeral is very unlucky. In Thailand, widows are the only ones allowed to wear purple to symbolize mourning. 

Grey 

Dark grey is often worn in lieu of black in Western societies. In Papua New Guinea, grey is used in a different way - the natives will apply light grey clay to their skin when their partners die.  

Gold 

Ancient Egyptians often buried their pharaohs with their precious gold items. Gold is rooted deep in the culture, and many will wear golden or yellow garments during their mourning period. 

Dark Green 

You won't find many people wearing dark green for mourning in modern day society, but it's a color that was once very popular. The color represents what is known as "half-mourning." During the Victorian era, people would usually wear black when their loved ones died for an entire year. Afterward, if the person was still in mourning, they would wear dark green as a sign of half-mourning. The half-mourning attire often featured a black trim as an indicator to others. 

Understanding the meaning of different colors worn around the world during funerals and mourning periods provides us with a deeper appreciation for the diverse ways in which grief and remembrance are expressed. From the somber black attire in many Western cultures to the vibrant white garments in certain Asian traditions, each color carries its own significance and cultural context. By recognizing and respecting these customs, we not only honour the traditions of others but also gain insight into the universal human experience of loss and mourning.  

This blog is not intended to be legal advice and should not be relied on as such. If you require legal advice, please contact a legal professional concerning your particular circumstances.