It is right to say that anything white signals peace, unity, or calmness to our brains. But does the white bandana hold the same meaning? Yes, it does!
Bandanas have been present for decades ago and used for various purposes. Its fame rose when it was greatly used by gang members in the 80s and 90s to reveal their affiliation to a gang. The different colored gangs showed their affiliation to a particular gang.
But, such a trend has diminished over the years, and now we hardly find any gangs following the bandana code. However, you should be careful when roaming in areas with a high number of gangs.
If a bandana is your go-to accessory and white is the color you love, then this article is for you! I will decipher the real white bandana meaning and if you should wear one!
White Bandana Meaning- The Gospel Truth
The meaning of a white bandana means “Unity”! The white bandana was and is still not affiliated with any gang like the other colors such as red, blue, or green. Wearing a white bandana either does not mean anything, or it shows that you are peace-loving.
Gangs don’t acknowledge the white bandana with any particular gang and use it only for showing solidarity. So, the next time you roam the streets of LA where gangs are present, it is safe to say that you are safe with a white bandana!
| Bandana Color | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Grey | Commonly used by Asian gangs |
| Red | Worn by the Bloods gang |
| Yellow | Worn by Latin Kings gangs |
| Purple | Worn commonly by Grape Street Crips gang |
| Blue | Worn by the Crips gang |
| Black | Neutral color |
| White | Represents peace and neutrality |
| Green | Worn by Bay Area Crips gang |
In fact, the white bandana has been used as a significant mark for many causes, such as in the fashion industry. In 2017, many designers adopted the white bandana during fashion week to show their support for human unity and inclusiveness.
The white bandana was part of the #TiedTogether movement started by Business of Fashion. The fashion week saw many celebs, influencers, and stylists attending the shows wearing white bandanas! It marked their support for the common bonds of humankind regardless of race, religion, sexuality, or gender!
White Bandanas With Red And Black Accents
Red bandanas are worn by the Bloods gang and are a color strongly affiliated with the gang. These red bandanas will have white prints on them, so it’s a combination of red and white bandanas.
The black and white bandanas mean a neutral color and are not affiliated with any gang member. It is safe to wear a black and white bandana if you like.
Hanky-Panky With The White Bandana
The white bandana holds a different meaning altogether among the LGBT community. It played a major part in the so-called “hanky code”!
The hanky code started around the 70s when the LGBT community was frowned upon by society. It was a way for gays to reveal their true selves through a color code that only the community understood.
Members of the community wore different colors of bandana to secretly reveal their sexual fetishes and sexual orientation. They would visit gay bars and restaurants with bandanas hanging from their pockets or tied somewhere.
The way you style your bandana or where you place it also reveals your preference for a sexual position and more.
Stick Your Neck Out
White bandanas tied around the neck were a common scene among the LGBT community earlier. A bandana around the neck showed that a man is gay. A blue bandana neck meant they took the female part while the red color showed the male part.
Bandanas around the neck are also worn by many gays today. It is a way for them to express their femineity side to the world. The color of the bandana may differ now, but the message remains the same.
Check The Back Pocket
You may wonder if it’s safe to wear a white bandana in your back pocket? Well, it is very much safe now! Earlier, a bandana in your back pocket symbolized your sexual fetish, but that’s not followed anymore.
Also, gangs that followed a colored bandana identification mark would roam the streets with the bandanas hanging out of their back pockets. However, as mentioned above, white is a safe color, and it doesn’t matter if it’s in your back pocket!
All Is Well With A White Bandana
A white bandana is a safe choice no matter where or how you wear it. Tying a white bandana around the head is also a fashion statement and won’t bring you any harm. In fact, thanks to rappers and singers, tying a bandana around the head is a common scene now!
There are no reasons why you should avoid wearing a white bandana because it is a safe and neutral color.
Recap
The white bandana is a safe bet if you want to wear it. The color doesn’t affiliate you with any gang and, in fact, shows your support for unity and harmony in the world. Style it the way you want, and you are good to go.
Reference
Photo by LOGAN WEAVER | @LGNWVR on Unsplash