Why Do Some Wear White and Others Black at Funerals? The Different Mourning Traditions Behind the Two Colors

When attending a funeral, some people wear white mourning garments, while others dress in black or dark-colored clothing. Both colors express mourning, yet they originate from different traditions of bereavement, and actual practices vary depending on religion, local customs, and the bereaved family's arrangements.

Why Are Traditional Chinese Mourning Attires Often White?

Traditional Han Chinese mourning attire is not the modern-style pure white formalwear commonly seen today, but rather made from coarse hemp fabric. According to the "Book of Rites: Mourning Attire," those in deep mourning wear "Zan Cui," along with hemp cords and sashes. Zan Cui is made of rough cloth, with raw, unfinished edges, symbolizing grief through simplicity and lack of adornment.

The Ministry of Education's "Taiwanese Hokkien Commonly Used Words Dictionary" also notes that "Ma Shan" refers to hemp mourning garments worn during mourning periods, typically by the deceased's sons, daughters-in-law, and unmarried daughters. Thus, the grayish-white or off-white hue of traditional mourning clothes comes from the natural, undyed color of raw hemp fabric.

Traditional mourning attire is further categorized into the "Five Degrees of Mourning" (Wu Fu): Zan Cui, Qi Cui, Da Gong, Xiao Gong, and Si Ma. According to ritual documents from the Shalu District Office in Taichung City, the mourning period varies in length and severity based on familial closeness and social hierarchy. Mourning attire not only expresses sorrow but also serves to distinguish kinship relationships and reflect family ethics.

Why Do Western Funerals Typically Use Black?

According to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the United States, black had already acquired mourning connotations in late medieval Europe and became widely adopted as funeral attire by the 19th century.

After Prince Albert's death in 1861, Queen Victoria wore black clothing for an extended mourning period, reinforcing and popularizing strict black mourning etiquette during the Victorian era. At that time, mourners were expected to wear black for specific durations based on their relationship to the deceased and to reduce social engagements and festivities.

Thus, black gradually became a symbol of solemnity, restraint, and mourning. However, the tradition of wearing black at Western funerals was not invented by Queen Victoria; her prolonged mourning mainly reinforced and popularized existing social customs.

Why Do Both White and Black Appear at Taiwanese Funerals?

Modern Taiwanese funerals blend traditional customs, various religious rituals, and Western formal attire, which is why both white and black are commonly seen.

Life ritual guidelines from the New Taipei City Government and the Yilan County Funeral Management Institute indicate that family members may wear plain-colored clothing such as white, black, or gray. Some families have close relatives wear mourning garments or badges, while other relatives and friends wear black, gray, or dark-colored clothing—though not all funerals follow fixed rules.

White mourning attire originates from traditional hemp fabric and Chinese mourning systems, while black mourning attire is influenced by European mourning customs. Although their historical origins differ, their purposes are similar: by setting aside everyday brightness and decoration, they express mourning and respect for the deceased.