Final answer:
The color white on the flag of Paris symbolizes purity, reflecting a common Western association of the color with innocence and virtue.
Step-by-step explanation:
The color white on the flag of Paris represents purity. This is in line with interpretations in the Western world where white is often associated with purity or innocence, such as in wedding dresses signifying the purity of the bride. Historically, colors have taken on various meanings depending on cultural contexts. For example, during the French Revolution and the reign of the Paris Commune, the red flag was symbolic of defiance and revolution, contrasted by the white in the tri-color flag which stood for the revolutionary values of liberty, equality, and fraternity. Other associations of white throughout history include its connection with God the Father and eternal light, its use in Soviet propaganda symbolizing joy and purity, and conversely, in parts of Asia where white signifies mourning and death.