Black occurs 45 times in the poetry corpus, accounting for 20% of the total number of colour term occurrences. It occurs in 24 poems, i.e. 26% of the total. The frequency data are very similar to those for green and white. Being characterised by a lack of light, black can be used to denote darkness, sadness and gloom and is opposed to white. Commentators on colour associations have noted links with melancholy and depression, death and mourning, and with what is bad, sinful, evil and wicked. In the Western tradition there are also links with the supernatural and occultism. However, there are also minor associations with the clergy and with elegance in fashion.