White, the reflection of all visible colors on an object, is recognized universally as a color of purity and brightness.

The color of white has attained its profound cultural connotations with the passage of time over the centuries. The pure Xuan paper, translucent jade, beautiful white porcelain-all of them have left their lasting impressions of white on the traditional Chinese culture.

Out of religious belief or folk customs, white is the color upheld by many ethnic minorites such as Tibetan, Hui, Mongolian and Bai. These ethnic nationalities ragard white as the embodiment of justice, loftiness and auspiciousness. Showing respects to white makes up an important part of their daily life and social culture. Yet, in the traditional customs of the Han people, white, in many occasions, indicates exhaustion and colorless and lifeless sign. It is a symbol of bad omen and sorrow. In many places, people believe red is for happiness while white is for mouring. In a mouring ceremony, people use white to express their sorrow. Therefore, in some happy occasions, white is a taboo that is shunned by people. However, along with the changes of time, such a concept has been fading.

The snow-white world

A village in Northern China in winter

The glaciers at Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Qomolangma Peak straddles the border between China and Nepal. It is 8844.43 meters above the sea lever, the highest peak in the world.