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White is also, of course, the color of the initiate, who in most rites of passage is symbolically reduced to a state of non-existence and then made into a new person through the initiation ceremonial. Hence the association of white with baptism, and the customary "stripping" of a sovereign at the beginning of the coronation ritual, leaving him (or her) wearing only a plain white robe. In the medieval coronation, the sovereign then prostrated himself (herself) before the altar during two litanies; s/he was then raised up, and as the rite progressed the sumptuous regal vestments were successively put on over the white robe. John Parsons On Tue, 8 Jun 1999, Sarah Salih wrote: > The latest postings, on penance and Christ, are contributing to a picture of white as > signifying liminality, transition, general strangeness; in which case it's not surprising that > people react strongly to Margery wearing them all the time and everywhere. Apologies, by > the way, to those of you who have heard me worrying about this in other contexts and may > feel you have heard quite enough about the subject. > > > %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%