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| Why Did Europeans Choose "Black"? |
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We know that ancient Europeans used the term "black" to express the dark side of what they felt about themselves and to express many of their superstitions. But apart from this, why did they choose the color "black" as opposed to some other color for the following?
Black shaman is one concerned with spirits, demons, and other evil or malignant powers. Black Dwarfs is the name of the Elves of Darkness, who creep about in the dark caverns of the earth and fabricate weapons and utensils for their divine fathers, the Ases. Black in various Celtic languages implies dark water. The phrase "black-letter day" comes from Roman times, when lucky days were marked on the calendar in white and unlucky ones in black. Christians later marked saints' day in red and ordinary days in black. Black Glance, in the occult arts denotes the Evil Eye (i.e. Jettatura in Italy). Black Magic refers to magic with an evil or sinister purpose-black referring to its centuries-old sense of "malignant, baleful, deadly"; sorcery; necromancy, the raising of the dead, and other selfish abuses of abnormal powers--whether intentional or not. Black Bile is one of the ancient Greek humors believed to control health and temperament. They said it was secreted by the kidneys or spleen and was responsible for gloominess. In the Bible the meaning of "to be dirty" was influenced by the Greek Melas (black) (Matt. 5:36) and the Latin malus (bad) (Rev. 6: 5, 12). Also, the Bible referred to the color black as mourning, treachery, and hopelessness. Blackmail (16th -century Scottish word for rent) was paid by border farmers to marauding gangs to protect their crops. The first "black book" was Henry VIII's condemning monasteries, so that he might take their lands. Blackguardism is reveling in scoundrel-like behaviors. "Black Friday" relates to several Fridays on which financial panics have occurred. Black Bottom is a 1920s hip gyration dance that was associated with the black bottom "low-lying" area inhabited by Blacks. Blackstrap is an inferior port wine. Black flag is the banner of a pirate ship; hence a symbol of defiance to the law. The pirate flag was usually decorated with skull and cross-bones and known as the "Jolly Roger." The Black Prince was the 16 year old Prince of Wales because of his war-like qualities and martial deeds. Black-mouthed is using foul language. Black Death (bubonic plague raging through Europe from 1340s-1360s), perhaps so named because bacillus pestis organism produces black sores. A Black cap was formerly worn by a judge when passing the sentence of death. Black information is that held by banks, credit agencies, or other financial institutions about people who are considered bad credit risks. Blackboard jungle is an urban school where discipline is enforced with great difficulty, if at all, against student violence. Black Hand is a secret Italian organization geared to blackmail and lawlessness. "Black looks" are those of displeasure. A "blackleg" swindled at cards and later was used to describe a nonunion member who worked during strikes. Merchants kept "black lists" of poor credit risks. Organizations will "black-ball" prospective members in a secret vote, the unwanted receiving a black ball and the desirable a white ball. Blackout is a failure in the generation or transmission of electricity with widespread effects. Black Mass is a revolt against religion by worshipping the Devil. Black economy is the underground economy of earnings which are not declared for tax purposes. Question: are there subtle racist elements in these terms? Joseph A. Bailey, II, M.D. |
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