Color Symbolism in Islamic Book Paintings

Evidence

"Figure 4.28 depicts the scene of the young man observing the bathing maidens in his garden. He is dressed in white which corresponds with purity and innocence."

Remarks

White is symbolic of virtue, purity, and the awakening of the soul. It is often associated with the pearl, which represents beauty and rarity. Figures 4.26-27 show the white pavilion as the final stage of Bahram Gur's mystical journey, representing his emergence as a purified soul (p. 71, 72). In Figure 4.28, the protagonist Mahan is dressed in white to demonstrate his virtuous and innocent nature (p. 71, 73).