History Main / RavenHairIvorySkin

* ''SayonaraZetsubouSensei'': Kiri Komori (pictured) and Itoshiki-sensei are both seen as this.

->''"Lips red as the rose. Hair black as ebony. Skin white as snow."''
-->-- '''The MagicMirror''', ''SnowWhite''

!!Examples:

* ''Manga/BlackJack'': One episode featured a strong example of this -- Souno, a YamatoNadeshiko young girl from an old an rather traditional Japanese family, who had been kept indoors all her life due to suffering form a debilitating disease that would cause her life to drastically shorten if she was exposed to sunlight. (As well as killing her off before she turned 18 even if she avoids it.) She's spent most of her life in a sealed room, practicing Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement, under the watch of her very severe OverprotectiveDad; thus, Souno is perfectly pale, with perfectly black hair, and a perfectly exquisite face... a beauty in a bottle. (Remember, the "Nadesico" part of YamatoNadeshiko refers to a particular type of flower -- probably a deliberate parallel in this case.) Fortunately, Doctor Blackjack is there to help -- along with his [[CheerfulChild lively assistant]], Pinoco, who strikes a really cute InterGenerationalFriendship (sorta) with Souno and gives her the courage to get the treatment she needs.

* ''OuranHighSchoolHostClub'': Kyouya is a male example.

* Eve Orcaczy from the rather obscure short story ''Each Man Kills''. She's also an EeriePaleSkinnedBrunette, since she's a vampire, but she is described as exceptionally beautiful.

** Septa Lemore is considered "handsome" by Tyrion Lannister.

* Lila from {{Dexter}} and Stacie from {{Hustle}}, both plated by Jaime Murray.

** Apparently he's dyed it back to black.

* If someone in ''FireEmblem'' is about to describe a Morph, there's likely three features to be mentioned: "1. Pale skin. 2. Hair like ebony[[hottip:*:But it really looks purple.]]. 3. EyesOfGold". Sonia was actually made to be beautiful and to seduce Brendan Reed.
* In ''SengokuBasara'' we have Oichi (who was a certified RealLife example) and her sister-in-law Nouhime.

* Setsuka in [[SoulSeries Soul Calibur 3]]. However, she's actually a natural blonde.

[[quoteright:320:[[SayonaraZetsubouSensei http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/beaur_7726.jpg]]]]

* Kylie Griffin from ''ExtremeGhostbusters''.

And please people, before adding to this list, consider whether or not the character was clearly meant to be attractive, explicitly stated to be attractive, and/or regarded as attractive by any other characters. Do not add them to this list just because [[YourMileageMayVary you find them to be attractive]]. Because of that, NoRealLifeExamplesPlease.

* In ''KodomoNoJikan'', [[ElegantGothicLolita Kuro]] is this.
* ''BlackJack'': One episode featured a strong example of this -- Souno, a YamatoNadeshiko young girl from an old an rather traditional Japanese family, who had been kept indoors all her life due to suffering form a debilitating disease that would cause her life to drastically shorten if she was exposed to sunlight. (As well as killing her off before she turned 18 even if she avoids it.) She's spent most of her life in a sealed room, practicing Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement, under the watch of her very severe OverprotectiveDad; thus, Souno is perfectly pale, with perfectly black hair, and a perfectly exquisite face... a beauty in a bottle. (Remember, the "Nadesico" part of YamatoNadeshiko refers to a particular type of flower -- probably a deliberate parallel in this case.) Fortunately, Doctor Blackjack is there to help -- along with his [[CheerfulChild lively assistant]], Pinoco, who strikes a really cute InterGenerationalFriendship (sorta) with Souno and gives her the courage to get the treatment she needs.

[[quoteright:277:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/rsz_1clairemeg_4037.PNG]]

http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/rsz_1clairemeg_4037.PNG

!!Examples

[[http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/rsz_1clairemeg_4037.PNG]]

[[quoteright:320:[[SayonaraZetsubouSensei http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/beaur_7726.jpg]]]]

* Miranda Lawson in ''MassEffect2'' is much paler than most inhabitants of the MassEffect universe, has jet-black hair, and is regarded as extraordinarily.

* ''FredsHead'': Anette.

* Several female characters in ''AvatarTheLastAirbender'', but most notably Mai, Toph and Princess Azula.
* [[PerkyGoth Gwen]] and [[LovableAlphaBitch Heather]] from ''TotalDramaIsland''.

* The eponymous SnowWhite, making this trope OlderThanDirt.

And please people, before adding to this list, consider whether or not the character was clearly meant to be attractive, explicitly stated to be attractive, and/or regarded as attractive by any other characters. Do not add them to this list just because [[YourMileageMayVary you find them to be attractive]].

Dark hair and pale skin as an indication that a character is beautiful. In western culture this is a [[CyclicTrope once-dead, now reviving trope]], thanks to the {{Goth}} and Retro movements bringing an increased awareness of this and the 1950s pin-up style regaining popularity. In addition, the current vampire fad and the rising fear of skin cancer have helped with the resurgence of this trope. This is also quite popular in Eastern media, being the traditional standard of Asian beauty, and the fact that most of the Japanese population has black or very dark brown hair. The high contrast also makes for a striking and visually appealing appearance.

[[redirect:BlackAndWhiteBeauty]]

[[quoteright:320:[[SayonaraZetsubouSensei http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/beaur_7726.jpg]]]]

->''"Lips red as the rose. Hair black as ebony. Skin white as snow."''
-->-- '''The MagicMirror''', ''SnowWhite''

Dark hair and pale skin as an indication that a character is beautiful. In western culture this is a [[CyclicTrope once-dead, now reviving trope]], thanks to the {{Goth}} and Retro movements bringing an increased awareness of this and the 1950s pin-up style regaining popularity. In addition, the current vampire fad and the rising fear of skin cancer have helped with the resurgence of this trope. This is also quite popular in Eastern media, being the traditional standard of Asian beauty, and the fact that most of the Japanese population has black or very dark brown hair. The high contrast also makes for a striking and visually appealing appearance.

Commonly a requirement for the YamatoNadeshiko type, and is also known as the Yamato Nadeshiko look. In fact, a RavenHairIvorySkin YamatoNadeshiko is a stock character for the {{Harem}} genre.

There is crossover between this look and EeriePaleSkinnedBrunette, in the form of attractive {{Goth}}s, [[VampiresAreSexGods beautiful vampires]], and other characters who manage to be both creepy and beautiful.

Contrast EeriePaleSkinnedBrunette, where this look is seen as, well, ''eerie'', and ButNotTooWhite. Compare DarkSkinnedBlond, its visual inverse.

And please people, before adding to this list, consider whether or not the character was clearly meant to be attractive, explicitly stated to be attractive, and/or regarded as attractive by any other characters. Do not add them to this list just because [[YourMileageMayVary you find them to be attractive]].
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!!Examples

[[foldercontrol]]

[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
* ''SayonaraZetsubouSensei'': Kiri Komori (pictured) and Itoshiki-sensei are both seen as this.
* In ''KodomoNoJikan'', [[ElegantGothicLolita Kuro]] is this.
* ''BlackJack'': One episode featured a strong example of this -- Souno, a YamatoNadeshiko young girl from an old an rather traditional Japanese family, who had been kept indoors all her life due to suffering form a debilitating disease that would cause her life to drastically shorten if she was exposed to sunlight. (As well as killing her off before she turned 18 even if she avoids it.) She's spent most of her life in a sealed room, practicing Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement, under the watch of her very severe OverprotectiveDad; thus, Souno is perfectly pale, with perfectly black hair, and a perfectly exquisite face... a beauty in a bottle. (Remember, the "Nadesico" part of YamatoNadeshiko refers to a particular type of flower -- probably a deliberate parallel in this case.) Fortunately, Doctor Blackjack is there to help -- along with his [[CheerfulChild lively assistant]], Pinoco, who strikes a really cute InterGenerationalFriendship (sorta) with Souno and gives her the courage to get the treatment she needs.
* ''MahouSenseiNegima''
** Negi is awestruck when he accidentally spies on Setsuna in the bath, because of her incredibly pale skin and raven-black hair. Chamo even refers to her as a YamatoNadeshiko due to her looks! [[spoiler:She later turns out to be a HeroicAlbino; her hair is dyed to fit in better.]]
** Konoka is also seen as this when she wears a kimono to school.
* ''OuranHighSchoolHostClub'': Kyouya is a male example.
* ''{{Naruto}}''
** Sasuke. And his mother Mikoto, who is basically a female version of him. And for the fangirls, his brother Itachi.
** Orochimaru is a rather striking subversion. [[YourMileageMayVary Some people would argue that point.]]
** Sai, for some.
* Fenrir, the Princess of Disaster, from the anime/manga ''{{Pretear}}''.
* Chane Laforet of {{Baccano}}.
* In ''Manga/TheSecretAgreement'', Iori is a male example. He's more of a [[TheWhitePrince White Prince]] than a YamatoNadeshiko, though.
* Saori from ''WanderingSon'' is a DudeMagnet and fits this trope.
* Mariko Shinobu and "Mona Lisa" Komabayashi (who's nicknamed "Mona Lisa" both for her stoic attitude ''and'' her TallDarkAndBishoujo looks) from ''OniisamaE''.
* Kaede Rukawa of {{Slam Dunk}} is incredibly pale and handsome. Ironically, he tans the easiest out of everyone.
* Saya Kisaragi from {{Blood-C}}
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Arts]]
* This trope is quite popular in 1950s pin-ups, and modern women like Rita Von Squeeze have helped bring the art style back to life.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Comics -- Books]]
* Death and Desire from ''TheSandman'' qualify (two other members of the Endless have the right hair and skin for it, but Morpheus is extremely gaunt and LooksLikeCesare and Despair is a {{Gonk}}); Death was based on a myth (Kabbalistic, I think) in which the Angel of Death appears to the deceased as a woman so beautiful [[EvenTheGirlsWantHer their]] soul leaves their body in ecstasy, and, being [[YourHeartsDesire the personification of desire]] and all, Desire is ([[InformedAttractiveness supposed to be]]) the embodiment of perfect androgynous beauty.
* Domino and Sage from ''{{Comicbook/X-Men}}''.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Comics -- Newspaper]]
* Dethany Dendrobia from ''OnTheFastrack''.
* ''{{Nemi}}''
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Fairy Tales]]
* The eponymous SnowWhite, making this trope OlderThanDirt.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Fan Works]]
* Ebony Dark'ness Dementia Raven Way from ''MyImmortal''.
-->"Hi my name is Ebony Dark'ness Dementia Raven Way and I have long [[DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment ebony black]] hair (that's how I got my name) with purple streaks and red tips that reaches my mid-back and icy blue eyes like limpid tears and a lot of people tell me I look like [[{{Evanescence}} Amy Lee]] (AN: if u don't know who she is get da hell out of here!). I'm not related to [[MyChemicalRomance Gerard Way]] but I wish I was because he's a major fucking hottie. I'm a vampire but my teeth are straight and white. I have [[DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment pale white]] skin."
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
* Amélie (AudreyTautou) from ''{{Amelie}}''.
* ''CasinoRoyale'': Vesper (her actress Eva Green is DyeHard).
* ''GirlInterrupted'': Susanna.
* Quorra (Olivia Wilde) from ''TronLegacy''.
* Several ladies from the ''Film/HarryPotter'' series, including Bellatrix Lestrange (HelenaBonhamCarter), Cho Chang (KatieLeung), Katie Bell (GeorginaLeonidas), Pansy Parkinson (ScarlettByrne), and Mary Cattermole (KateFleetwood).
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Literature]]
* ''[[{{Literature/Fool}} Fool]]'': In this PerspectiveFlip retelling of ''KingLear'', Pocket describes Lear's daughter Regan:
-->''... there she stood, raven-haired and violet-eyed, snowy fair and finely fit, as if carved by the gods from a solid block of desire.''
* The ''GemmaDoyle'' Trilogy's Pippa is renowned for her beauty, and fits this trope to a T.
* JRRTolkien's use mixes AuthorAppeal and presumably Celtic notions of beauty, since the Celts ({{flanderized}} as {{Fiery Redhead}}s) were actually mostly dark-haired and apparently regarded this as the ideal, so most of Tolkien's most important beautiful characters are dark-haired, pale-skinned, and have GrayEyes. Particularly notable examples include Luthien from ''TheSilmarillion'' and Arwen from ''TheLordOfTheRings''.
* ''RomanceOfTheThreeKingdoms'': The Qiao sisters were this, and the book plays up that part of the reason Chi Bi happened was that Cao Cao was after them because of this trope.
* The title characters of EdgarAllanPoe's ''Berenice'' and ''Ligeia''.
* ''TheWheelOfTime'' gives us Lanfear, dark-haired, pale-skinned, [[StatuesqueStunner roughly 6 feet tall]] and [[{{EvilIsSexy}} Evil]].
* Eve Orcaczy from the rather obscure short story ''Each Man Kills''. She's also an EeriePaleSkinnedBrunette, since she's a vampire, but she is described as exceptionally beautiful.
* Alice Cullen from ''{{Literature/Twilight}}''.
* Melisande Shahrizai from ''KushielsDart'' to a T.
* Many tragic heroines in 18th century Gothic Horror novels are described this way.
* Yennefer from ''TheWitcher'' books. She is pale with raven black hair and wears only black and white. Like all sorceresses, she is incredibly beautiful.
* Irene/Attolia from ''TheQueensThief'' is one (fair skin, very beautiful, dark haired).
* Inverted in ''{{Fairest}}'' with Ava, described to have black hair and pale skin, but is ugly.
* A male example is Naoise, lover of Deirdre in the Ulster Cycle of IrishMythology.
-->'''Deirdre:''' ''(after seeing a raven drinking blood out of the snow)'' I will love a man with hair the color of the raven, skin as white as snow, and lips as red as blood.
* Several of Robert E. Howard's ConanTheBarbarian stories use this trope. Many of the women that Conan becomes involved with are described as having dark hair and pale skin, some of the more notable ones being the pirate queen Belit and the slave girl Zenobia.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
* Blair Waldorf from ''GossipGirl''.
* Jade West from ''{{Victorious}}''.
* Carly Shay from ''{{iCarly}}''.
* Marian from ''Series/RobinHood''.
* Morgana from ''{{Series/Merlin}}''.
* Gwen Cooper from ''{{Torchwood}}''.
* Jane Margolis from ''BreakingBad''.
* Drusilla from ''BuffyTheVampireSlayer'' and ''{{Angel}}''.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Music]]
* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6hiKSJvHl4 This example]] has black hair, pale skin, blue eyes and is likening a boy to a constipated monkey through song.
* In [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1BLVEbqLCY Goth Girl]] by Anthony and Those Other Guys, the main character has a crush on a black hair and pale skin beauty.
* [[MyChemicalRomance Gerard Way]] ''used'' to be this. Then he went to white and now bright [[YouGottaHaveBlueHair red]] hair.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Video Games]]
* In ''{{Persona 4}}'', Yukiko Amagi is seen as this and gathers quite a fan club for her looks.
* If someone in ''FireEmblem'' is about to describe a Morph, there's likely three features to be mentioned: "1. Pale skin. 2. Hair like ebony[[hottip:*:But it really looks purple.]]. 3. EyesOfGold". Sonia was actually made to be beautiful and to seduce Brendan Reed.
* In ''SengokuBasara'' we have Oichi (who was a certified RealLife example) and her sister-in-law Nouhime.
* Miranda Lawson in ''MassEffect2'' is much paler than most inhabitants of the MassEffect universe, has jet-black hair, and is regarded as extraordinarily.
* ''FinalFantasy''
** ''FinalFantasyVIII'': Rinoa Heartilly is the palest-skinned and darkest-haired of the three women in the party.
** Ditto [[FinalFantasyVII Tifa]], [[FinalFantasyIX Dagger]], and [[FinalFantasyX Lulu]], though the latter is unique in not being the main character's love interest.
*** [[YourMileageMayVary YMMV]] as far as [[FinalFantasyX Lulu's]] uniqueness, as [[FinalFantasyVII Tifa]] and [[FinalFantasyVII Aeris]] share the role of love interest. [[FinalFantasyVII Vincent]] is a male example, with long black hair and white skin. Also somewhat subverted as [[FinalFantasyVII Yuffie]] has black hair and pale skin, but is not particularly thought of as beautiful.
* Zhen Ji from ''DynastyWarriors''.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Western Animation]]
* ''FredsHead'': Anette.
* BettyBoop was designed around this trope.
* Kylie Griffin from ''ExtremeGhostbusters''.
* Yumi Ishiyama of ''CodeLyoko''. Further reinforced by her [[DigitalAvatar Lyoko avatar]] which gives her white facepaint, Japanese-style.
* Several female characters in ''AvatarTheLastAirbender'', but most notably Mai, Toph and Princess Azula.
* [[PerkyGoth Gwen]] and [[LovableAlphaBitch Heather]] from ''TotalDramaIsland''.
[[/folder]]
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[[redirect:BlackAndWhiteBeauty]]