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Black MageA black mage is a mage who practices black magic. Study of religion has confirmed the concept of malicious sorcerers responsible for all sorts of mischief is near-universal in human culture. This stereotype is projected on anything from the shamans of rivalling tribes via the priests of foreign religions to the satanists of today. However, the term black mage or black magician is relatively unique, as corresponding terms in other cultures are usually translated into "witch". It is supposed the term black magic and hence, black mage, originates in the mistake of latin "necromantia" (necromancy) for "nigromantia" (black art or magic). However, the color black also frequently turns up as a symbol of evil and death in other contexts, such as the nordic Svartalfr (black elves) known to bring nightmares. Siberian shamanism also knows black and white shamans and it is said that white ones deal with the powers of the upper world, while black ones work with the lower one. Their role in society, however, does not seem to reflect western concepts of black and white magic.
In the Final Fantasy series of video games, the Black Mage is a character class similar to the Mage/Wizard in the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, except for the fact that in D&D Wizards have utility spells besides attack ones. They are usually depicted wearing a distinctive costume consisting of a robe and a large straw hat which obscures their face. The Black Mage traditionally casted lightning, ice, and fire spells graded by power, eventually gaining access to more powerful spells, such as Flare.
In the online sprite comic 8-bit Theater, Black Mage is the generic for a single man of that job class, known mostly for his amusingly sadistic personality. (e.g. He once died and got sent to hell, and became the ruler of it.)
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