What are some of the different colors that are associated with mourning around the world?
1. Purple
In Thailand, purple is symbolic of sorrow. Widows wear purple when mourning their spouses, while black is worn by all other mourners. Purple is also worn in South American countries such as Brazil by devout Catholics mourning the loss of their loved ones.
2. Red
In South Africa and Ghana, mourners wear red to funerals. Red is symbolic of bloodshed. In contrast, red has an entirely different meaning in China. Red symbolizes happiness in China and is not a color worn to funerals.
3. White
In countries that practice Buddhism, such as large parts of China, white is a mourning color symbolizing purity and rebirth. In India, in Hindu religions, white is a mourning color worn to show respect for the deceased and the deceased’s family.
4. Black
In the United States, Canada, and Mexico, black is worn as a traditional color of mourning. Large parts of Europe, including the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Germany, Greece, and the UK, also wear black. Other countries around the world also wear black to funerals. Japan, Russia, Australia, and the Philippines are some of those countries.
In modern times, funerals are becoming entirely personalized with color. For example, the person who died may have left a special request in their funeral plans that mourners wear a particular color. Also, the deceased’s family may request mourners wear a specific color or a ribbon to memorialize their loved one. In any case, it is always best to honor these wishes. When in doubt about what color to respectfully wear or what to wear in general, don’t hesitate to contact the funeral director or the deceased’s family for guidance.
What is the significance of color in some symbols related to grief?
Now that you know how different nations use different colors to symbolize grief, you might be interested to know that specific colors of flowers, emoji hearts, and even the colors seen in Mexico’s Day of the Dead also have significant meaning in mourning.
What color flowers are for mourning?
When a loved one passes away, sending sympathy flowers is a thoughtful way to offer condolences. Sympathy bouquets in white, green, blue, pink, yellow, purple, orange are all excellent choices. If you knew the deceased, sending an arrangement in a special color could be symbolic of your relationship.
What color roses are for mourning?
Families and friends of the deceased may display roses within wreaths, casket sprays, standing sprays, or vases at funerals. A bouquet of roses is appropriate to give to bereaved loved ones. You can make the best decision when you know what specific colors of roses symbolize.
If you can’t decide which color of roses to send, pick the deceased’s favorite color. Another idea is to combine several different colors of roses. Below are some standard rose colors and their meanings.
- Red: Red roses are a symbol of love. They are often used in funerals to declare eternal love for the deceased.
- White: White roses symbolize innocence, peace, honor, and purity. Therefore, white roses would be an appropriate choice for the funerals of older adults or children.
- Yellow: Yellow roses are a symbol of friendship. If you were good friends with the person who passed away, a gift of yellow roses would be especially meaningful to the grieving family.
- Pink: Pink roses symbolize grace, romance, and admiration. Pink roses would be an excellent choice to honor a mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, daughter, or a good female friend.
- Black: Black roses symbolize endings, grief, and mourning. Black roses don’t exist in nature, but deep burgundy roses look nearly black. They can be dyed to achieve a dark effect. Mourners may bring black roses to a funeral to pay respects to someone who has passed away.
- Peach: Peach roses symbolize sympathy. Peach roses can be given to mourners to express condolences over losing a loved one.
What color emoji hearts are for mourning?
Emojis have become a massive part of daily text communication. One of the most popular and frequently used emojis is the red heart emoji used to express love. Understanding the meaning of specific colors of emoji hearts is helpful, especially if you send a condolence text or post a tribute to a loved one on social media.
According to Emojipedia, these are the colors of hearts associated with mourning:
- Broken Red Heart: The broken red heart emoji expresses sadness over missing a loved one.
- White Heart: The white heart emoji symbolizes love and affection, but mourners can also use it when discussing someone who has passed away.
- Black Heart: The black heart expresses morbidity and sorrow.
What colors are associated with The Day of the Dead?
The Day of the Dead (el Día de los Muertos) is a Mexican holiday where families welcome back the souls of their deceased relatives. It is a celebration of the life and memory of loved ones who have passed away. Knowing the colors associated with this holiday is helpful when dressing up and decorating altars and graves.
- Red: Red symbolizes the blood/ blood of Christ.
- Purple: Purple symbolizes sadness, pain, and grief.
- Pink: Pink is a nod to the joy of remembering a loved one.
- White: White symbolizes hope and purity.
- Black: Black represents the Land of the Dead.
- Yellow and Orange: Both yellow and orange indicate the sun, light, and marigolds.
