Black is a respectable color that holds much depth. Many consider black to be the most powerful color. It’s colorless yet contains all the colors at the same time. Black has the power to command attention in whatever scenario it shows up. You could be an artist using black in paintings or simply throwing on a black jacket to elevate your look.
In color psychology, black represents anything but weakness. It’s elegant, bold, confident, powerful, and sophisticated. Black also gives off a mysterious nature that draws people in. Due to this symbolism, you’ll notice that many luxury fashion houses embrace the use of black.
Apart from the attractive nature of this color, black also has some negative connotations. People often associate it with death, sadness, fear, darkness, and despair. Without a doubt, the word ‘black’ in itself holds significant power. It is an emotion beyond being simply a color. This piece will explore black quotes shared by people throughout history. Through this piece, you’ll see the various areas of our lives that black plays a significant role.
Related: check out our article on what the various colors mean, or for more black, also check out our compilation of the black and white quotes.
The way people view the color black varies. The interpretation of the color varies due to factors such as culture, preferences, and experiences. However, a common theme is recognizing the power and strength that the color holds.
Regardless of the various associations with the color, its popularity and widespread acceptance are no denying. Black can stand alone and also give other colors a certain depth. For this reason, many people, whether artists or otherwise, appreciate its value. It evokes such strong feelings that sometimes can be hard to explain.
Many people have shared their love for black. All in all, we can collectively agree that the color holds mysterious associations. Here, you’ll find some of the best color black quotes from famous people and black color aficionados.
"Without black, no color has any depth. But if you mix black with everything, suddenly there's shadow - no, not just shadow, but fullness. You've got to be willing to mix black into your palette if you want to create something that's real."
"Black is beautiful."
"If I could find anything blacker than black, I'd use it."
"There’s something about black. You feel hidden away in it."
"My favorite color is black."
"I fell in love with black; it contained all colors. It wasn’t a negation of color…Black is the most aristocratic color of all…You can be quiet, and it contains the whole thing."
"Any colour - so long as it's black."
"Black is always elegant. It is the most complete color in the whole world, made of all the colors in the palette."
"I’ve been 40 years discovering that the queen of all colors was black."
"Black is real sensation, even if it is produced by entire absence of light. The sensation of black is distinctly different from the lack of all sensation."
"Black is modest and arrogant at the same time. Black is lazy and easy—but mysterious. But above all, black says this: I don’t bother you—don’t bother me."
"I don't stand for black man's side, I don't stand for white man's side, I stand for God's side."
Women who wear black lead colorful lives.
~ Neiman Marcus
It’s almost impossible to talk about fashion statements without mentioning the color black. Black is elegant, luxurious, and mysterious. It commands attention as it holds mystery and sophistication.
Although many times in movies, we see the bad guys wearing totally black, this hasn’t stopped people from embracing it. It's also impossible for some people to stop wearing black as it’s a staple color in many wardrobes. If we truly want to understand the impact of black in the fashion and style scene, we can turn to research.
A study on color preferences revealed that black was the top color of choice for clothing1. Additionally, women primarily chose black. This powerful color has gripped the whole world. No wonder many high-end brands utilize it in their branding.
So, next time you want to get a little black dress, think about how much of a statement that simple color can make. Do you want to know what some fashion experts and enthusiasts say about black in fashion? Keep reading.
"Black is a great colour when it comes to being safe and classy. It looks great on any body type and can be paired with anything. So when in doubt, go for black."
"My Dad was so open creatively that I was off in search of black turtleneck bathing suits with long sleeves."
"My style is definitely schizophrenic; it does change from day to day a lot. It depends on my mood: sometimes I'll be going through a girly, childlike stage and wear a pretty lace dress with a bow in my hair. Then sometimes I'll be moody and just wear black."
"I love black because it affirms, designs and styles. A woman in a black dress is a pencil stroke."
"I wore black because I liked it. I still do and wearing it still means something to me. It’s still my symbol of rebellion—against a stagnant status quo, against our hypocritical houses of God, against people whose minds are closed to others’ ideas."
"I work in three shades of black."
"I was wearing black clothes almost from the beginning. I feel comfortable in black. I felt like black looked good onstage, that it was attractive, so I started wearing it all the time."
"When I find a color darker than black, I’ll wear it. But until then, I’m wearing black!"
"My favorite thing is a black sweater and skirt, which you can wear all the time by changing the accessories."
"For many designers, black is their mainstay"
"Women think of all colors except the absence of color. I have said that black has it all. White too. Their beauty is absolute. It is the perfect harmony."
"One is never over-or underdressed with a little black dress."
"Colour is what gives jewels their worth. They light up and enhance the face. Nothing is more elegant than a black skirt and sweater worn with a sparkling multi-stoned necklace."
A black dress is to fashion what red roses are to romance.
~ Unknown
Black is a universal taste but an acquired obsession.
~ Unknown
Why do I always wear black? It matches my soul. The night sky doesn't always need shining stars to look beautiful, and a black dress any jewelry. The magic and mystique of black never fails to amaze me. A black dress is to fashion what red roses are to romance. Black, like white, is the best color!
~ Karl Lagerfeld
If you’re looking to build a timeless wardrobe, black is the perfect color to throw in. Black doesn’t rely on trends, and it mixes well with practically every color. You can wear black-colored clothing for almost every occasion. You can use this powerful color to either make a statement or add neutrals to any outfit.
Whenever you’re short of time and need to pick something to wear, you can never go wrong with a black outfit, whether that’s throwing on a black dress, or black shirt, or slipping into your favorite black pants or black jeans. If you think “too much black” is a thing, check out some of these quotes that’ll convince you otherwise.
"When in doubt, always wear black."
"You can wear black at any time. You can wear it at any age. You may wear it for almost any occasion."
"A typical native New Yorker, I'm prone to wearing the city's unofficial sartorial color: black."
"I love all black clothing. I think it's timeless and beautiful"
"I just have more Yves Saint Laurent in my closet, but it is pretty much the same - I just wear black almost 365 days of the year. I am married to it."
"One thing to avoid is trendy stuff, though - you gotta go timeless. Even if you want a little luxury in your life and you want to splurge on a Gucci bag, pick a great black one you can wear all the time."
"I’ll stop wearing black when they invent a darker color."
When we think about nature, black is probably a color that’s far from our minds. Most times, we think of bright colors like green and yellow. Or, in some instances, neutrals like brown. However, black also exists in nature, making a bold statement instantly. Whether it’s black in the soil or on animals, it’s always such a sight.
Black is beautiful; however, it can also represent a dark side in some cultures. If you’ve ever seen a black cat, then you know how daring the color makes it. Also, people tend to marvel at the black sand beaches in areas like Hawaii and Iceland. Let’s explore some black quotes on animals and nature.
"The years like great black oxen tread the world, and God, the herdsman goads them on behind, and I am broken by their passing feet."
"After all, the wool of a black sheep is just as warm."
"Black beauty - he's a dark horse."
"It is absolutely necessary, for the peace and safety of mankind, that some of earth's dark, dead corners and unplumbed depths be let alone; lest sleeping abnormalities wake to resurgent life, and blasphemously surviving nightmares squirm and splash out of their black lairs to newer and wider conquests."
"In Portugal, seeing a black cat is a bad sign; it's bad luck. But they tell me if it crosses from left to right, it's good luck. But I don't like black cats!"
"The earth is rocky and full of roots; it's clay, and it seems doomed and polluted, but you dig little holes for the ugly shriveled bulbs, throw in a handful of poppy seeds, and cover it all over, and you know you'll never see it again - it's death and clay and shrivel, and your hands are nicked from the rocks, your nails black with soil."
"A black cat crossing your path signifies that the animal is going somewhere."
"The black of the ocean waves was the color of the sorrow in my breast, a sorrow that was never far away and always visible."
The night sky is a dignified black princess freckled with the stars. Get lost in her beauty to find it in your darkness.
~ Curtis Tyrone Jones
Black can convey feelings of expansion and emptiness at the same time. As Morticia Addams said, "Black is such a happy color, darling." Here are some quotes exploring black space through science’s lens.
"There is a wide, yawning black infinity. In every direction, the extension is endless; the sensation of depth is overwhelming. And the darkness is immortal. Where light exists, it is pure, blazing, fierce; but light exists almost nowhere, and the blackness itself is also pure and blazing and fierce."
"I used to think information was destroyed in black hole. This was my biggest blunder, or at least my biggest blunder in science."
"I like black because it is a vacant space."
"Do you realize that if you fall into a black hole, you will see the entire future of the Universe unfold in front of you in a matter of moments and you will emerge into another space-time created by the singularity of the black hole you just fell into?"
"The process of delving into the black abyss is to me the keenest form of fascination."
Black can evoke states of sobriety and silence. Sometimes when you feel hidden, you can associate that feeling with the color black. Even when taking lessons from nature, people often talk about finding the light in the dark. This usually refers to coming out of a dark, black place to a lighter one. This is similar to observing how the moon’s light shines even in the darkness.
Black is a color that holds many emotions - it can be silent yet loud at the same time. This section explores black quotes that speak to our feelings and life in general.
"Guilt is cancer. Guilt will confine you, torture you, destroy you as an artist. It's a black wall. It's a thief."
"We live on a placid island of ignorance in the midst of black seas of infinity, and it was not meant that we should voyage far."
"Sorrows are like thunderclouds, in the distance they look black, over our heads scarcely gray."
"And when I was angry, when I was younger, I was in a cocoon. Now I'm a beautiful, black butterfly."
"Coaches who can outline plays on a black board are a dime a dozen. The ones who win get inside their player and motivate."
"I'm lying in my bed, blanket is warm, this body will never keep me safe from harm. I still feel your hair, black ribbons of coal. Touch my skin to keep me whole. If only you'd come back to me. To feel you at my side, wouldn't need no Mojo Pin to keep me satisfied."
"I think in black."
"All I want is blackness. Blackness and silence"
"I was pretty much a minimalist. I liked a lot of black at the time, which is very different from my wardrobe now, because I live in color. "
Black consciousness is an attitude of the mind and a way of life, the most positive call to emanate from the black world for a long time.
~ Steven Biko
If you love black and its relation to the arts, you should explore some of these quotes. Here, you’ll find quotes that reveal black’s presence in literature and the arts.
"Within, stood a tall old man, clean shaven save for a long white moustache, and clad in black from head to foot, without a single speck of colour about him anywhere."
"Jazz is a white term to define black people. My music is black classical music."
"Art is accusation, expression, passion. Art is a fight to the finish between black charcoal and white paper."
"Personality is the glitter that sends your little gleam across the footlights and the orchestra pit into that big black space where the audience is."
"I like boring black and white films with subtitles. I'm basically a drip."
"I started as a black and white photographer, but the colors I was seeing were just so lurid and compelling and awful at the same time. They got me looking at other contemporary art. I was gravitating more and more toward work that had visceral power, that wasn't necessarily about being beautiful but had some kind of horror in the palette."
"Celluloid will be the next decade's black and white."
"I fell in love with black; it contained all color. It wasn’t a negation of color… Black is the most aristocratic color of all… You can be quiet, and it contains the whole thing."
"Black is not sad. Bright colors are what depresses me. They’re so… empty. Black is poetic. How do you imagine a poet? In a bright yellow jacket? Probably not."
"I have designed my style pantomimes as white ink drawings on black backgrounds, so that man's destiny appears as a thread lost in an endless labyrinth. I have tried to shed some gleams of light on the shadow of man startled by his anguish."
"The man in black travels with your soul in his pocket."
"Black is like a broken vessel, which is deprived of the capacity to contain anything."
1 | Bakker, I., van der Voordt, T., Vink, P., de Boon, J., & Bazley, C. (2015). Color preferences for different topics in connection to personal characteristics. Color Research & Application, 40(1), 62-71. |
Jen’s a passionate environmentalist and sustainability expert. With a science degree from Babcock University Jen loves applying her research skills to craft editorial that connects with our global changemaker and readership audiences centered around topics including zero waste, sustainability, climate change, and biodiversity.
Elsewhere Jen’s interests include the role that future technology and data have in helping us solve some of the planet’s biggest challenges.