1. Chinese origin of correspondence-paper with black margins as used during mourning. Author Mahdihassan S Subjects China, Color, Humans, Mortuary Practice, Paper, Writing Abstract In Europe there is the custom of observing mourning at the loss of a relative by using, even in correspondence, paper with a black margin. This may be traceable to China where a document on such a paper has been offered as the original. Published 1989 Full Text View/download PDF