3018 The Black Robe And The Black Dress
“I look forward to seeing you put on the white dress. You look beautiful in that dress. You give off an aura that comes naturally from the owner of the white dress, just like the Greek Goddess that we adore. You are the symbol of wisdom and peace,” said Fiona.
The white dress had become a special symbol of the Greek Goddess. The Greeks did not usually wear a white dress. It seemed to signify respect.
During the Flower Festival, the Parthenon Temple’s personnel wore black robes and black dresses. The final elected goddess would wear a holy white dress. She would become the limelight among the crowd.
The Parthenon Temple’s culture had become a part of the Greek cultures, especially the Greeks in Athens.
On election day, the Greeks and the tourists all dressed in black to blend with the atmosphere. A city full of olive branches and jasmine flowers, with an elegant and dignified woman dressed in a long white gown ascending step by step to the altar of the Goddess in the middle of the spectacular and colorful black crowd certainly was a striking sight.
The stunning figure in white was a crown that surpassed all glory. It was a perfect symbol that inspired the country with many races!
…
At the arrival of the election day, Athens was covered with flowers.
The city looked like a perfect garden. The angles of the high-rise buildings looked as if they had been smoothed out by the beautiful branches. Although it was a modern city, they seemed to have traveled to an ancient, mythical country with flower branches as walls and petals as streets.
Many people were dressed in black robes and black dresses. Black color itself had a very broad definition, not to mention that the Mediterranean clothing was highly variable. There were various types of black clothing. Some wore shiny, smooth black leather jackets with black stripes interlacing with the light. It was a moment for everyone to show off their uniqueness.
There was a wide array of styles.
The black robes and black dresses were just one tradition. Only the Parthenon Temple personnel strictly complied with the rules of the robes and dresses. Meanwhile, the rules did not apply to the Greeks and the tourists as long as they wore decent colors.
Of course, some young people who wanted to show off their personalities wore whatever color they liked.
However, these people would usually be “squeezed out” from the election site by the majority of the people in black clothing and other believers. People had subconsciously followed the culture and custom of wearing black robes and black dresses during the election day. There was no law enforcement or explicit prohibition about the tradition. If they refused to blend in the culture, they should not join in the fun in the first place. They should follow the crowd.
…
“What will happen if I refuse to dress in black?” One of the tourists asked the tour guide as they walked along the streets in Athens.
“That is your choice. But I have to warn you, many crazy people will bring their own black spray or black paint on that day. Anyone who doesn’t dress in black on the main streets will most likely be sprayed in black,” whispered the tour guide to the tourist.
“Huh? Do those people have a few screws loose in their heads?!”
“It’s true that quite a few of them are mad on that particular day. They don’t mind the risk of being detained.”
“Okay. I’d better wear black, then.”
“By the way, where did the flowers come from? It looks as if the city is filled with flowers. Are they transported from various states in Greece?”
“I suppose so. The flowers play a major role in this festival. How could the Flower Festival live up to its name otherwise?”
The more flowers there were, the stronger the fragrance that filled the buildings. There were at least three flower chains draped on every street sign and streetlights. The laurels that had been planted throughout the city.
The laurels seemed to have been enchanted by a certain spell. They bloomed and covered the concrete buildings. When people wandered around on the streets, they felt as if they had accidentally barged into a Greek mythical garden.
