Black and White corresponding to male and female?

Question

As I have been re-reading The Da Vinci Code, they often compare 'male' and 'female' to the colors black and white. According to the book, white corresponds with female, and black corresponds to male, as seen in the Hieros Gamos ritual. However, the male and female symbology has also been compared to Yin and Yang. However, the Yin, or black section, is descibed as female, and the Yang, or white, is described as male. Can someone please explain these inconsistencies?

Answer 1

Well I'm not positive, but it may be a difference in countries, and their perception.

For example, I know for sure that in America, we see white as a pure color, and black is the color of death, evil, etc.

However, in Japan, the colors are switched. Black is seen to be pure, and white is the color of death.

Keep in mind that the Ying Yang did not originate in America, and so it's country of origin might have had a different meaning to the two colors.

I hope this helps! :)

Answer 2

Currently i'm living in Bahrain. It's a small island in the middle east. You've seen some of the traditional muslim attire, i'm sure... the robes, head coverings, etc.. well here the women all wear the black robes and the men where white. Someone explained the reasons for this before, but i forgot :P and i'm a lil sleepy... brain power slippin.... but anyways, it's a cultural thing. Like in some countries black cats are seen as bad luck and in some white cats are seen as bad luck. anyways i've seen black related to women, as to symbolize the mysteries of the womb. hope that helps a lil...

Answer 3

from a magickal standpoint, white represents the male aspect of divinity, the God if you will, while black represents the Goddess. Most magickal cultures I am aware of associate the sun as being masculine, the moon feminine.
Sun rules the daylight hours, Moon the night....hence Sun/Male/light/White, Moon/Female/dark/Black

However, lol, due to the pervasive belief most people have that their belief system is the correct one, there are cultures and belief systems that do flip it around. And you know what?
They're right too.

Answer 4

In Chinese culture womankind was not treated favourably, and a totally male dominated society would decide all aspects of womankinds position in society. They chose white, because men are bright and positive, whereas women are dark and negative. Nice one lads ! Men will expect white (purity) in female marriage garb, but in many other cultures men `claim` white, and the lower sex is given black!

Answer 5

Well, the Davinci Code was fictional.

Black is usually associated with the Feminine aspect of all things. It is receptive, negative (negative doesn't mean bad, its just a balance for positive, like a battery or a magnet).

White is usually associated with the Masculine aspect of all things. It is projective, positive (once again, positive doesn't mean good, just balance).

Answer 6

You have a group of white males trying to keep everything white. And most of the times it is all done by lies and confusion.... That is all there is to it.....You have to really do some studying to understand the minds of racism... You have to understand what the black man as accomplish thru-out history and why white history has turned those black men white. They know that it will eventually come out, But in the mean time they plan to enjoy being on top at this time... While they make all of the great accomplishment that has been done thru-out history, To have been done by a white man....

Answer 7

There are significant differences between the East and West in terms of thought, perception, interpretation and symbolism.

Answer 8

its the way you look at people and the colors. black could be power or darkness or emptiness. white is often also emptiness but is also light ad sometimes wisdom. I dont know how to really answer your question its just in how you look at it.

Answer 9

different cultures, different symbolism...