Despite it officially being a ‘non-colour’, white is one of the most symbolic shades. In different cultures, it can signify innocence and perfection; it may be used in spiritual ceremonies; and it can represent welcoming a new life or denote the passing to a different one.
White pigments are found naturally as clay and chalk. Some of the first-known uses for these were in prehistoric paintings and sculpted imagery on hills – think of the horses and figures bestriding British uplands. White and bleached fabrics
