White in Asia

In many Asian countries, white is primarily associated with mourning and funerals, often represented by the undyed linen worn by the bereaved. This association extends to death and the afterlife, where, for example, a white kimono is placed with the deceased in Japan.

Beyond mourning, white also symbolizes purity and spiritual rituals. In Japan, white gravel or stones in Shinto mark sacred spaces for spirits, and Zen gardens with white sand are used for meditation. White is also connected to masculine traits, the element metal, and autumn in Chinese culture.

In essence, white in Asian cultures embodies both the solemnity of death and the purity of spiritual practices.^[1]