Black meaning has evolved over time but historically has meant dark color, absence of light, and has symbolic meanings of mystery, power, mourning, and elegance. Etymologically, black comes from Old English blæc meaning dark, from Proto-Germanic blakaz meaning burnt, from Proto-Indo-European bhleg meaning to burn or shine, so original meaning was related to burning and darkening. In Middle English, black meant dark color like coal or night, opposite of white. Symbolically, black has meant many things, in Western cultures it meant mourning and death, worn at funerals, but also power and formality as in black robes of judges. In ancient Egypt, black meant fertility and rebirth because fertile Nile soil was black. In biblical times, black could mean suffering or famine, as in black horse of Revelation symbolizing scarcity, but also beauty as in Song of Solomon I am black but comely. In racial context, black became term for people of African descent, originally descriptive of skin tone, later identity with pride. In modern slang, black can mean cool, as in black slang. For colors, black is technically absence of color that absorbs all light. So black meaning ranges from literal dark color to symbolic power, mystery, mourning, and identity, depending on historical period and cultural lens, with core meaning remaining dark color from burning.
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