Ⅰ.Chinese five-color system 1.1 The origin of five-color system In thousands years of history in China, the use of colors is various except the pre-Qin and the Qin dynasty. However, ancient Chinese before Ming dynasty actually pay no special attention to the color red.
About the Huang Di period in 5,000 BC, people worship only one color. This period is called monochrome worship period. After the Huang Di, Shang, Tang, Zhou, and Qin, emperors chose color symbol according to the "Yin and Yang five elements" theory (the order of the five elements is water, fire, wood, metal and earth, corresponding to the black, red, green, white and yellow). Because the ancient Chinese thought that the five elements are the basement of nature source and all things came
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"Five elements" said that the white and gold should be relative. It proves that ancient Chinese feel that white is a symbol of the light, pure, bright, and full of nature. The ancient literati often in plain clothes to show the lofty and man of quality also usually in white. As in the "Yin and Yang five elements" theory, white is related to autumn. In ancient China, autumn is regarded as a deserted season and related to death. So white also used in Chinese traditional mourning apparel. In the Chinese funeral, the relatives and friends of the deceased often dress in white to express their condolences and respect. The use of white mourning apparel (white clothing, clothing, element type, crown, etc.) started from Zhou dynasty. The Zhou dynasty produced the Wu Fu system. It required that people must in white when attend the funeral and forbade to wear black clothes, either wearing a black hat. Since then, white became the main color of mourning apparel. And this system also became a kind of customs.
1.2.3 meanings of