I'm writing a fantasy story where the culture is based on the Baniwa people of the Amazon rainforest. In my story, my MC visits with the God of Illness (based on Kuwai). In Baniwa culture, the color white is associated with illness. Thus, I want to describe this god with white imagery. My question is: how do I avoid creating a situation where I associate whiteness with godliness (i.e. making whiteness powerful/better)? (I will note that I have another god, who is embodied as a black/gold snake.)
White God Imagery and Color Symbolism
I can’t really speak on aspects regarding the Baniwa people besides reminding you to be respectful to their culture and traditions, and read through our culture, cultural appropriation, misappropriation and fantasy tags on related subjects.
If any knowledgeable followers would like to chime in there, please do.
There is another god that is not connected to white imagery, so the white = godliness connection while being played upon a bit, isn’t cemented as the only color connotation. And since white is being associated with illness here, more powerful/better doesn’t exactly come to mind for me, at least not the “better” anyway.
I would give equal attention to the color symbolism of the black/gold God and also avoid associations of Black to negativity.
See the Black & White Symbolism guide for more information on the harms, history, ideas and alternatives to Black and White symbolism.
~Mod Colette