The White Hanky
A symbol of purity, innocence, and loss
Guest edited by Mira Gupta
The white hanky, a simple yet versatile piece of cloth, has held a significant symbolic weight in literature, poetry and art throughout history. Its stark, unadorned colour, often associated with purity, innocence, and surrender, has made it a powerful tool for conveying complex emotions and themes.
One of the white hanky's most common symbolic associations is purity and innocence. White is often seen as a symbol of cleanliness, virtue, and spiritual enlightenment. In many cultures, white is the colour brides wear, signifying their purity and innocence before marriage. Similarly, the white hanky can represent the purity of childhood or the innocence of a lost love.
Image: Handkerchief, third quarter of the 19th century, Swiss, cotton. Image courtesy of Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Mrs. Carll H. de Silver, 1909.
Image above: Handkerchief, second quarter of the 19th century, American, cotton. Image courtesy of Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Alyce Stern, 1961.
In Emily Dickinson's poem "Because I Could Not Stop for Death," Death carries the speaker away in a carriage. The speaker notes, "He kindly stopped for me," suggesting a gentle and almost welcoming approach to death. As they pass a school, the speaker sees children playing. It is a poignant moment, highlighting the contrast between the innocence of childhood and the inevitability of death. The white hanky could be seen as a symbol of this lost innocence, a reminder of the carefree days of youth that have been forever altered.
The white hanky is also a powerful symbol of loss and mourning. In many cultures, a white hanky is used to wipe away tears, signifying the sorrow and grief that accompany loss. The colour white can also be associated with the pallor of death, further emphasising the connection between the white hanky and mourning.
In William Shakespeare's play "Hamlet," Ophelia drowns herself after being driven mad by Hamlet's rejection and her father's death. When her body is discovered, she is adorned with flowers and a white hanky. The white hanky serves as a visual symbol of her purity and innocence and a reminder of her tragic fate. It is a poignant image that highlights the loss of a young woman who was unable to find happiness or love. And while on Shakespeare, in "Othello," Desdemona is given a white handkerchief by her husband, Othello, which becomes a key piece of evidence (though ultimately misleading) in her tragic downfall.
Image: Handkerchief, French, fourth quarter of the 19th century, linen. Image courtesy of Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of the executors of the estate of Clara M. Blum in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Blum, 1966
In some contexts, the white hanky can also symbolise surrender or submission. White can be associated with a blank or clean slate, suggesting a willingness to start anew. In certain historical periods, a white flag symbolised surrender, indicating a desire to cease hostilities and submit to the enemy.
In Ernest Hemingway's novel The Old Man and the Sea, the protagonist, Santiago, is engaged in a gruelling battle with a marlin. As the marlin begins to tire, Santiago raises a white hanky, signaling his surrender. This moment is powerful, as it represents Santiago's acceptance of the inevitable and his willingness to let go of his struggle. The white hanky symbolises his humility and recognition of human power's limitations.
Image: Tintype portrait of a woman smiling coyly from behind a handkerchief, 1860s. Image courtesy of San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Photography Collections.
In addition to literature, the white hanky has been imbued with rich symbolism in art. Its colour and texture make it a powerful visual tool for conveying emotions, purity, innocence, grief, and divinity.
The Virgin Mary: In religious art, the Virgin Mary is often depicted wearing a white veil or holding a white hanky. This symbolises her purity and innocence, as well as her role as the mother of God.
The Death of Cleopatra: In many paintings depicting the death of Cleopatra, she is shown holding a white hanky to her face. This symbolises her grief and despair as she takes her own life.
Image: Othello and Desdemona, Daniel Maclis, 19th century.
The Storm on the Sea of Galilee: In paintings of this biblical scene, Jesus is often shown calming the storm by holding out a white cloth. This symbolises his power and authority over nature, as well as his divine nature.
Handkerchiefs have played a role in communication in society too. Waving a white handkerchief could signal approval, distress, or a farewell. In the American South, handkerchiefs held a special significance in courtship rituals, the way they were folded or held conveyed subtle messages.
From the late 18th century white handkerchiefs were waved, generally by women (men usually waved their hats), to demonstrate approval at public events such as processions or political rallies.
A custom that now has disappeared is the waving of a handkerchief as a sign of goodbye, either to a passenger departing on a ship or an aircraft. A linen handkerchief was something most people had on them, in a pocket or a purse.
A white hanky, historically, has been a symbol of surrender or truce. Its stark, neutral colour and its association with cleanliness and purity have made it a universally recognisable sign of cessation of hostilities.
Image: Young woman waving a handkerchief.
Here are a few instances where a white hanky has been used in conflict situations:
Military Surrenders: Soldiers or commanders have often waved white flags or handkerchiefs to indicate their willingness to surrender or negotiate.
Sports: In some sports, like boxing, a white towel is thrown into the ring by a fighter's corner to signal their surrender.
Civil Protests: In peaceful protests, individuals may wave white handkerchiefs as a gesture of non-violence and a desire for peaceful resolution.
In addition to its symbolic significance, the white hanky can also serve as a practical object, used to wipe away sweat, dust, or tears. This duality of purpose can add a layer of complexity to the symbol, as it can represent both emotional and physical states.
The white hanky is a versatile and evocative symbol that has been used throughout literature and poetry to convey a wide range of emotions and themes. Its association with purity, innocence, loss, and surrender has made it a powerful tool for exploring complex issues such as love, death, and the human condition. By understanding the symbolic significance of the white hanky, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the works of literature and poetry that feature this simple yet profound object.
Guest edited by Mira Gupta
The white hanky, a simple yet versatile piece of cloth, has held a significant symbolic weight in literature, poetry and art throughout history. Its stark, unadorned colour, often associated with purity, innocence, and surrender, has made it a powerful tool for conveying complex emotions and themes.
One of the white hanky's most common symbolic associations is purity and innocence. White is often seen as a symbol of cleanliness, virtue, and spiritual enlightenment. In many cultures, white is the colour brides wear, signifying their purity and innocence before marriage. Similarly, the white hanky can represent the purity of childhood or the innocence of a lost love.
Image: Handkerchief, third quarter of the 19th century, Swiss, cotton. Image courtesy of Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Mrs. Carll H. de Silver, 1909.
Image above: Handkerchief, second quarter of the 19th century, American, cotton. Image courtesy of Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Alyce Stern, 1961.
In Emily Dickinson's poem "Because I Could Not Stop for Death," Death carries the speaker away in a carriage. The speaker notes, "He kindly stopped for me," suggesting a gentle and almost welcoming approach to death. As they pass a school, the speaker sees children playing. It is a poignant moment, highlighting the contrast between the innocence of childhood and the inevitability of death. The white hanky could be seen as a symbol of this lost innocence, a reminder of the carefree days of youth that have been forever altered.
The white hanky is also a powerful symbol of loss and mourning. In many cultures, a white hanky is used to wipe away tears, signifying the sorrow and grief that accompany loss. The colour white can also be associated with the pallor of death, further emphasising the connection between the white hanky and mourning.
In William Shakespeare's play "Hamlet," Ophelia drowns herself after being driven mad by Hamlet's rejection and her father's death. When her body is discovered, she is adorned with flowers and a white hanky. The white hanky serves as a visual symbol of her purity and innocence and a reminder of her tragic fate. It is a poignant image that highlights the loss of a young woman who was unable to find happiness or love. And while on Shakespeare, in "Othello," Desdemona is given a white handkerchief by her husband, Othello, which becomes a key piece of evidence (though ultimately misleading) in her tragic downfall.
In some contexts, the white hanky can also symbolise surrender or submission. White can be associated with a blank or clean slate, suggesting a willingness to start anew. In certain historical periods, a white flag symbolised surrender, indicating a desire to cease hostilities and submit to the enemy.
In Ernest Hemingway's novel The Old Man and the Sea, the protagonist, Santiago, is engaged in a gruelling battle with a marlin. As the marlin begins to tire, Santiago raises a white hanky, signaling his surrender. This moment is powerful, as it represents Santiago's acceptance of the inevitable and his willingness to let go of his struggle. The white hanky symbolises his humility and recognition of human power's limitations.
In addition to literature, the white hanky has been imbued with rich symbolism in art. Its colour and texture make it a powerful visual tool for conveying emotions, purity, innocence, grief, and divinity.
The Virgin Mary: In religious art, the Virgin Mary is often depicted wearing a white veil or holding a white hanky. This symbolises her purity and innocence, as well as her role as the mother of God.
The Death of Cleopatra: In many paintings depicting the death of Cleopatra, she is shown holding a white hanky to her face. This symbolises her grief and despair as she takes her own life.
The Storm on the Sea of Galilee: In paintings of this biblical scene, Jesus is often shown calming the storm by holding out a white cloth. This symbolises his power and authority over nature, as well as his divine nature.
Handkerchiefs have played a role in communication in society too. Waving a white handkerchief could signal approval, distress, or a farewell. In the American South, handkerchiefs held a special significance in courtship rituals, the way they were folded or held conveyed subtle messages.
From the late 18th century white handkerchiefs were waved, generally by women (men usually waved their hats), to demonstrate approval at public events such as processions or political rallies.
A custom that now has disappeared is the waving of a handkerchief as a sign of goodbye, either to a passenger departing on a ship or an aircraft. A linen handkerchief was something most people had on them, in a pocket or a purse.
A white hanky, historically, has been a symbol of surrender or truce. Its stark, neutral colour and its association with cleanliness and purity have made it a universally recognisable sign of cessation of hostilities.
Here are a few instances where a white hanky has been used in conflict situations:
Military Surrenders: Soldiers or commanders have often waved white flags or handkerchiefs to indicate their willingness to surrender or negotiate.
Sports: In some sports, like boxing, a white towel is thrown into the ring by a fighter's corner to signal their surrender.
Civil Protests: In peaceful protests, individuals may wave white handkerchiefs as a gesture of non-violence and a desire for peaceful resolution.
In addition to its symbolic significance, the white hanky can also serve as a practical object, used to wipe away sweat, dust, or tears. This duality of purpose can add a layer of complexity to the symbol, as it can represent both emotional and physical states.
The white hanky is a versatile and evocative symbol that has been used throughout literature and poetry to convey a wide range of emotions and themes. Its association with purity, innocence, loss, and surrender has made it a powerful tool for exploring complex issues such as love, death, and the human condition. By understanding the symbolic significance of the white hanky, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the works of literature and poetry that feature this simple yet profound object.