By: Phyllis Bivins-Hudson
When I thought about my blog this month, I looked deeply into November to learn as much about the nuances of the month as I could.
One idea that popped out at me was Black Friday, the Friday after Thanksgiving in the United States, which traditionally marks the start of the Christmas shopping season in the US.
Black Friday is an exciting exploit because many of us benefit from it. So that got me thinking more about the word “Black” because so often the color gets a bad rap due to its association with darkness.
However, like many other colors, Black also has plenty of positive associations and a rich history.
Black was one of the first colors used by humans. In fact, during prehistoric times, people employed charcoal and manganese oxide to create black pigments, which were used to draw and write on cave walls. The color also had different meanings in ancient culture.
For instance, in Egypt, Black symbolized fertility and the rich soil of the Nile River, while other cultures associated black with death and the underworld.
Then there was the development of black dyes, which brought about a significant shift in the fashion world. Its use signifies importance, wealth, and sophistication. Wealthy Europeans began making the wearing of Black clothing a mainstay, and eventually, the color black became a symbol of power.
Black was no stranger to the art world either. It played a significant role in the Renaissance Movement, with artists using the color to create depth and dramatic shadows. And then with the invention of the printing press, Black ink became the standard for text.
Today, we find Black everywhere.
But let’s take a closer look at some of the other qualities of the color “Black.” Black signifies power and confidence like a sleek Black car or that Black suit that exudes poise as well as success and accomplishment.
It is also often linked to authority, seriousness, and control while conjuring up mystery, fear, and even sadness.
Let’s further examine the meaning of the word Black, what it symbolizes, and some surprising facts.
Have you ever considered the kind of power a color can have? Black is one of those powerful colors.
The color Black has captivated different cultures for centuries, personifying such things as the night sky, credit cards for a select few, as well as the enduring elegance of an evening gown and other high-end products that have the look of value, rarity, and the idea that Black outfits are timeless and can be dressed up or down.
But it also evokes emotions and reflects status and formality.
The color Black represents more than aesthetics.
It bears a range of psychological associations including sophistication and power as well as that which is considered the unknown and death.
But why are so many feelings associated with the color black? It could have to do with the fact that Black goes with everything.
It has been said that it also brings out the best or worst in a situation. The color even sparks a myriad of contrasting emotions too.
Black has been said to be influential on our moods, our perceptions, and our behaviors. It has the mystery and intrigue of an ability to absorb all light, with the mystery being associated with the unseen and the unexplored, as well as a sense of curiosity, hidden potential, or the vastness of space.
Black is the color of a people hailing from Africa and securing their places all over the world. It is a beautiful color and even more beautiful when it represents the array of shades Black people typify along the color spectrum.
In the end, Black is a color of many sentiments.
Now, let’s end this by looking at some facts about the color of Black.
- Black Friday: The phrase originally referred to factory worker absenteeism after Thanksgiving but was later adopted by retailers for the unofficial start of the Christmas shopping season.
- Black cats: They represent bad luck in some cultures and good luck in others. In some cultures, black cats are wedding gifts that symbolize happiness for the bride.
- Vantablack: This is the world's darkest material that absorbs 99.9% of light. It's used in art, automotive sensing, and telescopes.
- "Black" albums: Metallica's self-titled album (1991), Jay-Z's "The Black Album" (2003), Prince's "The Black Album" (unreleased), and The Beatles' unofficial "The Black Album" compilation used “black” in their titles to define themes.
- Black credit cards: These are exclusive credit cards for the wealthy, including the American Express Centurion and the Dubai First Royale with no spending limit.
- Black and white nostalgia: This color combo represents a simpler time, from black and white TVs to black and white movies.
- "The new black": This phrase refers to something that has become suddenly popular.
- Black belts: In martial arts, a black belt signifies expertise in techniques and principles.
- Black holes: Although called "black," they don't emit light because of their immense gravity.
- Black and Proud: This phrase signifies a strong sense of pride in one’s Black identity, rejecting negative stereotypes, and asserting the value of Black culture and empowerment against racial prejudice and discrimination.
Well, I hope after reading this blog, you will be more informed about the color Black. And to the ladies, the next time you reach for that LBD (Little Black Dress), think of how elegant it can make you look.
Until next time, keep flying on broken wings.
