White's All Right Trivia Quiz

Answer: Isaac Newton

Newton showed that this was incorrect when he passed white light through two prisms. The belief was that if white was a basic colour, and colours appeared after a light was shone through the first prism, then more colours should appear when the light was shone through the second prism.

When the light remained a single colour, Newton stated that the prism only separated the colours already in the light. Well, one supposes the finding was important to science.

Answer: India

This is because the colour is associated with purity and cleanliness. Whereas people from many other cultures wear black to indicate that they are in mourning, it is the reverse in these four countries. In contrast to the ones mentioned above, Japanese people wear black to indicate their sadness, and in Thailand the colour purple is the choice to portray this sorrowful emotion.

Answer: White Magic

The two opposing colours, white and black, are used in many countries to symbolise good and evil, particularly so in western civilisation where white is the colour usually associated with purity and innocence. One can't help but feel sorry for black though in this regard. It's become villainous by default.

Answer: White hats and black hats

This is believed to hark back to an association with western films in the early days of Hollywood, where the good guy always wore a white hat and the baddie always wore a black one.

Answer: No

While it's hard to talk about Yin and Yang without referring to these two themes, this is not really the case. Both are considered to be part of the whole and that one cannot be considered without the other. Both sides are complementary to each other. When one side goes as far as it can go, it then begins a reversal into the opposite.

Answer: Monarchism

This can be seen, for example, in the royalists who fought against the French Revolution. Their faction was known as the White Terror. In Russia, following World War I, the two opposing sides became known as the Red Army and the White Army, and the old Shah of Iran was known as "the man on the white horse". Apparently, this is a reference which is associated with dictators in this country.

Answer: Violence

A white rose was also worn by peaceful people resisting the violence of Nazi Germany during that era in history. Both associations against violence are believed to go back to Noah and the story of the white dove. The connection seems a bit obscure somehow though, unless it's related to the calm after the storm.

Answer: White Paper

A white paper is usually some sort of government report, or paper for industrial and business purposes, compiled by a group of people who are thought to be experts in the various fields to which the paper is referring. The colour choice is said to indicate "clean facts and unbiased reporting". Oh blah, blah, blah.

As we're all kept bamboozled by government and big business thuggery for the most part, it probably just makes the experts feel smug instead.

Answer: Hajj

Hajj is the pilgrimage to Mecca. It is considered the largest pilgrimage of any kind in the world. One of the five basic pillars of the Muslim faith, this sacred pilgrimage must be carried out at least once in the lifetime of any fit Muslim wherever possible.

The men's garments consist of two white unhemmed sheets, made out of a towelling material. One is worn around the torso and the other around the bottom half of the man's body, and tied securely so it doesn't slip down. Women, on the other hand, though they still wear white, have a variety in outfits which reflects the religious influence or the area from which they come.

Answer: White and yellow

The Vatican City is the one place where it is allowable to use these two colours on its flag. Otherwise the two shades are usually not permitted in heraldry. This is because both colours represent the metals gold and silver. Obviously then, it would hardly do for the Vatican to be flying such symbols of wealth.

However, the use of these two colours for the Vatican's flag is the exception that proves the rule. In the papal city, white and silver do not represent wealth, but spiritual power and world power instead.

The colours have been associated with the papacy since the 13th century. Centred on the white section of the flag are the keys of St Peter. One is silver and the other is gold and these are joined by a red cord. Above the keys is displayed the papal crown.

It's actually a really pretty flag and would make lovely wallpaper if not considered disrespectful to do so.