However, black can have positive symbolism.

1. In the Maasai tribes of Kenya and Tanzania, the color black is associated with rain clouds, becoming a symbol of life and prosperity.
2. In Western fashion, black is considered reliably stylish.
   • The colloquialism "the new black" is a reference to the latest trend or fad, on the basis that black is always fashionable.
3. Black is seen as a color of seriousness and authority.
   • Many priests of the older religious denominations traditionally wear black.
   • The beltzak ("blacks" after their uniform) are the riot control units of the Basque Autonomous Police
4. To say one's accounts are "in the black" is used to mean that one is free of debt.
   • Being "in the red" is to be in debt—in traditional bookkeeping, negative amounts, such as costs, were printed in red ink, and positive amounts, like revenues, were printed in black ink, so that if "the bottom line" is printed in black, the firm is profiting.
5. The most sought-after rank in any martial art is a black belt.

Black can also be used in many non-judgmental ways.

1. In arguments, things can be black-and-white, meaning that the issue at hand is dichotomized. However, this dualism is fraught with danger, as one may assign the colors "black and white" to bad and good, respectively.
2. Black frequently symbolizes ambiguity, secrecy, and the unknown.
   • A black project is a secretive project, like Enigma Decryption, Narcotics, or police sting operations.
   • The blackshirts were Italian Fascist militias (negative for anti-fascists, but presumably positive for the original fascists themselves)
   • Some organizations are called "black" when they keep a low profile, like Sociétés Anonymes and secret societies.
3. Black is often used in Western culture to refer to race. For more details, see Blacks and Color metaphors for race.
4. The term "black hole" is applied to collapsed stars. This term is metaphorical in the extreme, because few properties of black objects or black voids apply to black holes. However, light emitted within a black hole's event horizon cannot escape, hence a black hole cannot be directly observed.
5. The national rugby team of New Zealand is called the All Blacks, in reference to their black outfits.
6. Association football (soccer) referees traditionally wear all-black uniforms, however nowadays other uniform colors may also be worn.
7. In auto racing, a black flag signals a certain driver to go into the pits.
8. Black is also used for anarchist symbolism, sometimes splitted in diagonal with other colors for further symbolism. It is also sometimes an anarchist dress code, with a practical benefit of not attracting attention and making later identification of a subject difficult. This strategy referred to as a black block.
9. In German politics 'black' is used colloquially to refer to the conservative parties CDU and CSU
10. In ancient China, black was the symbol of North and Water, one of the main five colors. There is no negative or positive meaning associated with it.
11. Black is the color of the snooker ball which has a 7-point value, and also the eighth billiard ball. In the game of eight ball, this ball is the ultimate object of the game, but, if accidentally sunk, means instant loss of the game.
12. A polished black mirror is used for scrying, and is thought to help see into the paranormal world without interference or distraction.
13. The modern subculture of Goths dress predominantly in black.