Why mourning dress is white in Europe?

Why mourning dress is white in Europe?

PROF WAQAR HUSSAIN

      

          For medieval European queens, white was the mourning dress. Funeral carried out for Leo V, King of Armenia, was in white. This royal tradition stayed alive in Spain till the end of 15^th century.
       Queen Fabiola revived the tradition of white dress in 1993 on the death of her husband King Baudouin I of Belgium. In 2004, Queen Juliana of the Netherland died and her four daughters wore white dresses at her funeral.

        It was the custom of the Queen of France to wear white veils for mourning; this is the origin of the white mourning wardrobe created by Norman Hartnell for a later Queen Elizabeth in 1938. She was required to make a state visit to France while in mourning for her mother.
     No convincing history and reason of white mourning dress is available. However, it is proved that white remained mourning dress in many parts of Europe and in many eras. The main reason quoted for white mourning as it is the colour of purity, piety and piousness. Its simplicity conveys the message of gloom. Coloured clothes depict happiness.