白袍 evokes two distinct cultural images. In modern Chinese it just means 'white coat' — most commonly a doctor's. In classical/historical contexts it denotes the famous Tang-Song general
薛仁贵 ('White-Robed General'
白袍将军) and, by extension, an unranked scholar/officer (since Tang-era plain robes were worn by men without rank). 《Lord of the Rings》 fans note: Saruman the White is
白袍萨鲁曼.
