What does the color black mean?

New launch
PromotedAdvertise
Color meaning

What does the color black mean?

Black means power, elegance, formality and mystery. It is the absence of light, so it can read as luxurious and sophisticated in fashion and design, or as death and mourning in Western tradition.

Color meanings

Black means power, elegance, formality and mystery. It is the absence of light, so it can read as luxurious and sophisticated in fashion and design, or as death and mourning in Western tradition.

Black

Web standard · #000000

Psychology

Positive

  • Elegance and sophistication
  • Power and authority
  • Formality
  • Strength

Negative

  • Death and mourning
  • Evil and fear
  • Heaviness

Around the world

Western countries
Mourning and funerals, but also formal wear and luxury.
Ancient Egypt
Fertility and rebirth, from the black soil left by the Nile floods.
Japan
Formality and mystery; black kimonos are formal dress.
Fashion
Chanel's 1926 little black dress made it the default for elegance.

Spiritual meaning

Black is often linked to protection, the unknown and the void before creation. In Taoism it is the yin half of yin and yang.

In branding

Chanel, Nike, Prada and Uber use black to look premium, confident and timeless.

Frequently asked questions

What does the color black mean?

Black means power, elegance, formality and mystery. It is the absence of light, so it can read as luxurious and sophisticated in fashion and design, or as death and mourning in Western tradition.

What does black mean spiritually?

Black is often linked to protection, the unknown and the void before creation. In Taoism it is the yin half of yin and yang.

What does black mean in different cultures?

Western countries: Mourning and funerals, but also formal wear and luxury. Ancient Egypt: Fertility and rebirth, from the black soil left by the Nile floods. Japan: Formality and mystery; black kimonos are formal dress. Fashion: Chanel's 1926 little black dress made it the default for elegance.

Why do brands use black?

Chanel, Nike, Prada and Uber use black to look premium, confident and timeless.

What is the hex code for black?

The standard web black is #000000, or rgb(0, 0, 0).

Other color meanings