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Senses – Mythology Series – Extended
Black and White in mythologies
While researching the stories for the original Mythologies series I came across quite a few mythologies and stories that have either black or white as primary colour reference. Although black and white technically are not colours and as such are not a part of the primary or secondary colours these stories are very interesting an deserve to be told too. As expected stories where black is the predominant colour often have a darker side to them. Both in physical metaphorical way. The stories often are about night, death and chaos. Interestingly enough, and maybe unexpectedly ‘the white stories’ frequently also tell metaphorically darker stories.
See the playlist on YouTube of all available videos about these objects: Senses Mythologies Playlist
This is a series of 12 unique objects.
Black
The Black Horse – Hear&Listen
- In the Book of Revelation, one of the Four Horsemen rides a black horse, symbolising famine and economic despair. He carries scales, representing the weighing of food rations during scarcity.
- Hades, the greek god of the underworld, rides a black chariot drawn by four black horses. This chariot was used when he abducted Persephone, dragging her into the underworld and causing the cycle of the seasons.
- Kublai Khan, the Mongol emperor, was said to have a black celestial horse that could outrun the wind and was a divine gift from the Sky God, Tengri.
The background motif represents wind as reference to Kublai Khan’s horse that could outrun the wind. Hear&Listen was chosen because of the howling winds I heard while making the painting.
The Black God – Learn&Know
- In Slavic traditions, Chernobog (literally “Black God”) represents darkness, chaos, and misfortune. Although not much written record exists, he appears in many oral tales. Often contrasted with Belobog, the “White God” of light.
- Anubis, the god of mummification and the afterlife in Egyptian mythology, has a black jackal head. Black in ancient Egypt symbolised both death and rebirth, as it was the color of the fertile soil of the Nile.
- Nyx, the primordial goddess of the night in Greek mythology, is described as a powerful black-winged entity from whom even Zeus was afraid. She represents the vast, unknowable darkness.
- In Africa Eshu (or Eleggua), the trickster god of chaos, communication, and the crossroads, controlling fate and destiny is depicted in black and red. The color black represents his power over the unknown and transformation.
The Black Flower – Look&See
- The black hellebore, that Is actually white and yellow, was said to bloom in places where witches gathered. In several European legends, it is linked to madness and dark magic.
- In medieval Europe The black Rose was a symbol of freedom when there was little idea of diversity of thought or acceptance of difference. They thought that black Roses are very precious, but unreachable.
- Romans used black roses to display and distinguish between people’s social status and public roles, and were used during their rituals to symbolise death and rebirth.
The Black Fox – Smell&Scent
- In Japanese kitsune myths (fox spirits) black masks are used to represent mystery and the unknown, but also has associations with the darker aspects of kitsune lore, such as deception or malevolence.
- In Scandinavian mythology, there is a legend about a black fox named Rav who caused the northern lights by swiping his tail over the grass, setting it on fire.
- In Slavic folklore, black foxes occupy a unique and often eerie space within the mythological landscape. They are rare, mysterious creatures associated with omens, curses, and the supernatural, often seen as harbingers of misfortune or even as messengers of the divine
The Black Bird – Taste&Savour
- Raven and the Theft of Light In many Pacific Northwest myths, Raven, originally a black bird, steals light from a powerful being to bring it to humanity. The black colour symbolises mystery and transformation.
- In Native American cultures, particularly among the Plains tribes, blackbirds are seen as sacred and are often associated with corn, as they are believed to be the servants of the Corn Mother.
- Druid legends suggest that the singing of three blackbirds in the World Tree of other worlds can put listeners into a trance, allowing them to travel to the otherworld and receive mystic secrets.
- Yatagarasu (八咫烏) is a three-legged crow and guiding god in Shinto mythology, symbolizing divine intervention. Sent by Takamimusubi, it guided Emperor Jimmu to Yamato. The name means “eight-span crow,” and it’s believed to be an incarnation of Kamotaketsunumi no Mikoto,
The Black Sun – Touch&Feel
- The Black Sun of Xibalba, the Mayan underworld,represents the journey of the Maize God. It symbolises death, darkness, and rebirth, mirroring the sun’s disappearance each night.
- The Sol Niger or “Black Sun” is a mystical symbol in alchemy, representing hidden knowledge, destruction, and rebirth. It is often linked to the cycle of death and renewal
- In Meso-American mythology, the Black Sun is associated with the god Quetzalcoatl and his journey into the Underworld after his diurnal passage across the sky.
- The Dogon people have an advanced knowledge of astronomy, and in their mythology, a “Black Sun” (possibly referring to Sirius B) plays a central role. This celestial body is linked to divine knowledge and creation.
White
The White Lady – Hear&Listen
- Yuki-onna (Japanese Folklore The “Snow Woman” is a ghostly spirit dressed in a white kimono, appearing in blizzards. She symbolizes both beauty and danger, often luring travellers to a cold death.
- The White Lady (Various European Countries A recurring ghost figure dressed in white, usually representing a tragic woman who died young or suffered betrayal. She haunts castles, forests, or bridges—often associated with love, loss, or revenge.
- In French mythology or folklore, Dames Blanches (meaning literally white ladies) were female spirits or supernatural beings, comparable to the Weiße Frauen of both Dutch and German mythology. She is associated with death, destruction, and annihilation.
The White Tiger – Learn&Know
- The White Tiger is a significant figure in Chinese mythology, where it is one of the Four Symbols of the Chinese constellations, representing the west in terms of direction and the autumn season
- In Japanese Mythology the white Tiger is named Byakko. He is believed to have the ability to ward off evil spirits and protect the land.
- The Sundarban legend in India is the tale of Dakshin Rai, the white tiger-featured demon king who rides a tiger and embodies nature’s wild chaos, symbolising the eternal struggle between survival and the untamed forest.
The White Flower – Look&See
- Daoist Mythology – White Lotus The white lotus represents purity and enlightenment, often held by deities like Guanyin. Symbolizes immortality and divine rebirth.
- Norse Mythology – White Flowers of Baldr’s Death After the death of Baldr, god of light, white flowers are said to have bloomed from his burial site in poetic retellings. Symbol of grief and purity lost.
- Celtic Mythology – White Flowers as Fairy Lures White bell-shaped flowers like foxglove or hawthorn blossoms were believed to lure humans into the fairy realm. Dangerous beauty—fairies might curse those who pick them.
The White Stag / Deer – Smell&Scent
- The White Stag in Hungarian is supernatural creature that leads heroes on quests or to the founding of nations (like Hungary). The stag’s whiteness signifies divinity, destiny, and the unknown.
- The White Hart in Celtic and Arthurian Mythology is mystical white deer that appears as an omen or divine messenger. It’s often associated with quests, purity, and unattainable goals—frequently pursued but never caught.
The White Dragon – Taste&Savour
- Welsh mythology A legendary battle between the White Dragon of the Saxons and the Red Dragon of the Britons foretells the struggle for Britain’s future. White represents the invading force, often linked with power and fate.
- Japanese White Dragon – Shiro RyūIn some Shinto and Japanese myths, white dragons are benevolent water deities, often linked to rainfall, rivers, and purity. The color white in Japanese mythology can symbolize divinity or the afterlife, so a white dragon might appear as a guardian spirit.
- The Korean White Dragon – Baekho-ryong (백호룡) is a symbol of enlightenment or divine transformation. It’s connected to the White Tiger (Baekho) and the west cardinal direction in traditional cosmology.
The White Horse – Touch&Feel
- In Hungarian mythology, white stallions were sacrificed to Hadúr, a deity associated with Steppe Tengriism, before battles.
- Mongolian Mythology – White Horse and Heaven, White horses are seen as messengers between gods and shamans., Offerings often include white stones and white milk, representing peace and favour.
- Pegasus the winged divine horse from Greek mythology was born from the blood of Medusa when Perseus beheaded her. Pegasus is associated with inspiration, especially in poetry, and was later tamed by the hero Bellerophon.
