alb

In the Christian church, a liturgical vestment consisting of a white linen tunic with narrow sleeves and a hole for the head.

Ultimately derived from the tunica alba of Roman citizens, it symbolizes innocence and purity. It did not become a specifically Christian vestment until the beginning of the 5th century, when it was plain. All ranks of the clergy wore the plain alb until the 11th century, when embroidered bands were used to decorate borders and cuffs; later, square patches of ornamentation were sometimes added.

The alb later became a specifically eucharistic vestment, worn by the ministers at Mass. The alb, plain or with apparels, has continued to be worn until the present day and, in a sense, is thought of as the archetypal ‘white robe’ of Christianity. It is worn in some services by Roman Catholic officiants, some Anglicans, and some Lutherans.