Silver is one of the most important and common colours. It is one of the two metals. In non-German heraldry it is also known as 'Argent'.
In the Middle Ages, silver was used as a pure, unmixed colour in the form of silver leaf. Owing to the high cost, white was simply used instead, with the result that the heraldic colour 'white' became entirely equivalent to silver.
In black-and-white depictions of coats of arms or three-dimensional representations of coats of arms carved in stone, silver (white) is represented by a smooth, unadorned surface. Silver (white) is associated with the moon and the pearl. It is regarded as the colour of purity, wisdom, innocence, chastity and joy.
Today, the colour white – particularly on flags – is associated with peace, purity, innocence, prosperity, happiness, honour, justice, harmony and open-mindedness, as well as the skin colour of certain population groups. In some regions, such as certain Malay states, white is regarded as a royal colour. In some cultures, white is the colour of mourning, for example in Islam and Buddhism, but also amongst the Sorbs. In China, white symbolises old age, autumn, the west and deceit. In Africa, white often symbolises death.
The white flag has a special significance. First and foremost, it signifies a cessation of hostilities, a ceasefire and negotiations, or even surrender. Anyone waving or carrying a white flag is no longer considered a combatant and must not be attacked.
In the psychology of colour, no particular effect is attributed to white; nevertheless, it is associated with purity, cold, frost, peace and truth.
Of course, white is also a political colour. It is often used by counter-revolutionary or anti-communist forces.
