Are black and white considered colors in traditional color theory?

In traditional color theory, black and white are often regarded as the absence and combination of colors, respectively, rather than as colors themselves. Black is viewed as the absence of light, meaning that when no colors are reflected to the eyes, we perceive black. On the other hand, white is seen as the combination of all colors of light, as it represents the reflection of all wavelengths in visible light.

Therefore, in this context, while both black and white play significant roles in design and visual art—affecting contrast, balance, and the perception of other colors—they are not classified as colors in the same way that hues on the color wheel are. This understanding is fundamental to grasping the concepts of color mixing, color relationships, and the overall impact of various shades within floral arrangements and artistic compositions.