The Color Spectrum Theory [Black vs. White]

First published on MOGUL

© Kaish

Newton’s Color Spectrum Theory on black and white loosely states: 

Black is the color of objects that do not reflect light in any part of the visible spectrum. 

Scientifically, a black object absorbs all colors of the visible spectrum and reflects none of them. This is sometimes confused with black being “a mixture of all colors”, but that is not the case. In fact, an object emitting or reflecting all colors is perceived as white. Sometimes black is described as an "achromatic color"; in practice, black can be considered a color, e.g., the black cat or black paint. Black is the lack of all colors of light. 

Think about this for a moment:  Black is not a mixture of all colors yet absorbs all colors, reflecting no colors.  If black absorbs all colors then black invites all colors into itself. 

How is it possible that black lacks all colors when all colors are absorbed into black? 

Let us take a look at white: 

White is the combination of all colors of the visible light spectrum. It is an achromatic color, like black. White is technically achromatic, and not a color, since it has no hue. 

The impression of white light occurs by mixing appropriate intensities of the primary colors of light: red, green, blue. An object emitting or reflecting all colors is white. White is not a color since it has no hue. White is only a color with other colors added. White can emit or reflect colors but cannot absorb them. Thus, white does not invite colors into it, rather sends colors outward. 

Scientifically speaking, black absorbs all colors, inviting them in. White reflects all colors sending them out. 

A spectrum defined is a distribution. A common list identifies six main bands: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet. Newton's conception included a seventh color, indigo, between blue and violet. 

Thus, a spectrum is a distribution of colors. Black is a color, white is not a color. Black absorbs all colors, white emits them. 

Black being a color that absorbs all colors can be a part of a spectrum where white cannot because white needs a spectrum in order to be a color. White depends upon black in order to become a color because black absorbs all colors. White can never be a spectrum. 

White is white without black. Black is black without white.

Think then, how is black a color and white not a color when you need white to lighten black? 

White added to black allows black to be a color because it lightens black. Red cannot lighten black, only white. Black takes in all colors, colors added to white creates other colors. White is devoid of color, black has all color. 

One cannot exist without the other because if only white existed, there would be no color and if only black existed, there would be no color. 

What then happens to the colors themselves? 

Do they have a say in this theory? 

Red, yellow and blue can mix all colors. 

So then, why does this theory focus intently on black and white when in reality, without the primary colors: red, yellow and blue, there would be no color, rather one specific color? 


According to theory: 

ROYGBIV equals Black.
ROYGBIV cannot equal white because white needs ROYGBIV to become a color. 

Black is a spectrum unto itself. White cannot exist without other colors. White cannot be a spectrum because it has no color, while black is a spectrum. 

The irony is that one color cannot exist without the other. 


If colors had to survive as living organisms according to this theory, white cannot survive without all of the colors, yet black can thrive. Black holds all colors, yet not all colors can be seen in the presence of black.

Thus, white needs black to survive and black needs white to survive. 


Why then is black a color while white is not and black is considered a lack of all colors? 

Why is it that these two colors dominate all colors? 

Why are theories so focused on black and white when in between there are spectrums of beauty?