Black, corresponding to water, is a neutral color. The I Ching, regards black as Heaven's color. The Taiji symbol uses black and white to represent the unity of Yin and Yang. Ancient Chinese regarded black as the king of colors and honored black longer than any other color. And the Dao School chose black as the color of the Dao.

In modern China, black is used in daily clothing. And in some area, black may also be used during a funeral to symbolize the spirit's return to the heavens. A black ribbon is usually hung over the deceased's picture.