In Western culture, a black armband signifies that the wearer is in mourning or wishes to identify with the commemoration of a family member, friend, comrade ...
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or team member who has died. This use is particularly common in the first meeting following the loss of a member. In sport, especially association football, cricket, and Australian rules football, players will often wear black armbands following the death of a former player or manager.
Black armbands are also worn by uniformed organizations, such as the police, fire services or military, at the funeral of a comrade or on the death of a sovereign.