The Complete Guide to Mourning Cockades

A popular misconception is that Victorians always wore black to a funeral, or to mourn. Actually, only the close family members of the deceased wore black. Extended family and friends of the deceased wore mourning badges, not black clothing.

Mourning cockades were a public expression of grief. They were almost always black, but occasionally they also included white, gold, red or patriotic colors.

The Colors of Mourning Cockades

Black has been the color of mourning for centuries. In Victorian times, black was used for widow's clothing, for mourning banners on the house, and for mourning armbands for gentlemen. Black is always appropriate for a mourning cockade.

White was introduced in clothing in the "half mourning" stage. White was often symbolic of innocence. White and silver were also used by the church in funerals. Thus, black and white is also an appropriate color combo for mourning cockades.

Gold was occasionally used by the church in funerals and we see it on some rare mourning cockades. Gold spangles or gold stars are appropriate, especially for adding a patriotic touch or for designating a dignitary.

Red is also found in Victorian mourning cockades. Red in church liturgy was often considered symbolic of the blood of martyrs.

Patriotic colors were occasionally used on mourning cockades. If the deceased was a military person, or a public figure (such as President Lincoln), red, white and blue would be added to the mourning cockade.