The origin of the mourning band is obscure and appears a few times throughout history. Black mourning bands are used in many cultures, professions, and religions in remembrance of the deceased.
Historical Documentation of Black Mourning Band Use
One of the first visuals of a black mourning band was documented in a 1614 portrait of the Queen of Bohemia. It's speculated that Queen Elizabeth Stuart wore the mourning armband in honor of her deceased brother, the Prince of Wales, Henry Frederick.
UK History Reveals Use of Black Mourning Band
The cost of mourning clothes was expensive and in more affluent households, servants were provided a set of black mourning clothes. For other households, servants were given black crepe fabric armbands.
Mourning Band Use During Regency and Victorian Periods
The black mourning band was prominent during the Regency and Victorian periods. The etiquette of mourning clothing became a highly prominent fashion norm during these periods.
Royal Servants Wear Black Mourning Armbands
Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert, died in 1861. In her book, The Writer's Guide to Everyday Life in Regency and Victorian England From 1811-1901, Kristine Hughes writes on page 216, "For at least eight years after the death of Prince Albert, royal servants continued to wear black crepe armbands upon the instructions of Queen Victoria."
Black Mourning Bands Worn by Servants and Military
The Vintage News states, "In general, servants wore black armbands when there had been a death in the household." Much of society considered black armbands were more appropriate for men in the military or other professions where uniforms were required. Other than these specific groups of people, it was considered very improper etiquette not to wear mourning clothes.
Mourning Bands in Chinese Culture
In China, white is the funeral color instead of black since black is considered an auspicious color. In 1908, when the Empress Tzu Hsi died, Chinese military personnel wore wide mourning bands of white on their left arms.
Black Mourning Armbands in Western Culture
Beyond the Victorian period, the practice of wearing a black armband to show the wearer was in mourning grew in popularity in the United States. It was far cheaper to purchase a black armband than entire wardrobe of black mourning clothes.
Etiquette for Mourning and the Great Depression
This change was ushered in by the Great Depression between 1929 and 1933. With poverty at an all-time high, people could no longer afford the cost of the Victorian mourning etiquette, such as the year round mourning wardrobe. Not surprisingly, the black mourning band was embraced as a standard expression of someone in mourning, especially men.
Common Use of Black Mourning Armbands
After the attack and bombing of Pearl Harbor by the Japanese on December 7, 1941, President Franklin D Roosevelt was photographed signing the declaration of war against Japan. On his left arm, he wore a black mourning armband. However, the band had nothing to do with the attack on America. President Roosevelt was in mourning over the loss of his mother.
Black Mourning Armbands in Sports
The practice of black mourning armbands is observed in many sports. For example, Europe's football (soccer) teams wear black armbands whenever a team member dies. The teammates don the black band for the first game played after the team member's death. The black mourning band is traditionally worn on the right arm, so it doesn't conflict with the one the team captain wears on his left arm. The black mourning band is also worn when a coach, former coach, or former player passes.
Law Enforcement and Mourning Bands
Law enforcement practices the wearing of black mourning bands when a fellow officer dies. The band is worn so it covers half of the officers' badges. The band is often worn for 30 days after the death of the officer. Some officers only wear the mourning band to the officer's funeral. The one exception is the chaplain's badge if it has a religious symbol on it, such as a cross, Star of David, or other symbol the band is not worn.
Mourning Shrouds Are Mourning Bands
Another term used for mourning bands is mourning shrouds. Unlike the black armbands, this is either a piece of black tape or fabric. The band is placed horizontally over the center of the uniformed badge.
Thin Blue Line
A popular choice of mourning bands is the thin blue line band that is place over the badge. This band is black with a thin blue line running through the center of the band.
Black Bands Signs of Being in Mourning
Over four hundred years of tradition stand behind the black band as a symbol of mourning. Whether it is a strip of black over a badge or a black armband, it is a symbol of grief that is readily recognized.
