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Grief & Loss

Why black is used as a symbol of mourning

Black is often a pretty misunderstood color when it comes to mourning. A lot of people think black is the color for death, darkness, and emptiness. For most people this may be true, but I think the human race has completely misconstrued the meaning and symbolism of black.
I've studied many religions texts in the world today, and of the ancient past. Black is a very common color used for mourning in all kinds of different religions. However, what most people don't understand is that black isn't necessarily a depressive and grieving color. Black for most ancient religions symbolize "change". Whether we choose to grieve about this change or get depressed is a whole other personal story or reason. Black is worn as a symbol for people still alive facing the change from the other person's death. Black is also worn to funerals out of respect, for the person who died, and their journey into the next life. Sometimes people who are living dress in black unknowningly, symbolizing a desire in change for themselves on a purely sub-concious level basis. For example; ever wonder why larger people like black?

I don't think it's just because they can hide huge curves. I think it's cause they're sub-conscious is trying to tell them something that they disapprove about themselves. Another example; "The whole Goth thing, and wearing all black as a form of rebellion." These people don't wear it because they just "love" black. They're letting the populations know they're different without saying it. So the next time someone walks past you, maybe you'll look at them a little differently, and see the difference or desire for black.

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Why black is used as a symbol of mourning

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