What does the color yellow mean in psychology?

Surprisingly, the meanings we have given to this color have changed a lot over time.

In general, the color yellow is associated with light, gold, happiness and energy. But where do these relationships between this color and a series of objects, elements and even emotions come from? Have the same associations been made in all cultures?

In this article we will look at some of the meanings attributed to the color yellow. the meanings attributed to the color yellow in different culturesas well as the main paradigms of description of the chromatic systems that exist.

Main ways to describe colors

When it comes to describing colors, the main chromatic systems are divided into two main categories: one describes the luminous properties of each color; and the other defines its pigmenting characteristics..

This goes back to the 17th century, when Newton's studies on the decomposition of light allowed the establishment of a spectrum of seven main colors: violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange and red. Subsequently, a system of colors was established, which are those that the human eye has the ability to differentiate, and are therefore known as primary colors. These are yellow, cyan and magenta, which usually translate into yellow, blue and red respectively. On the other hand, the colors that are derived from the mixture of the latter are known as secondary colors.

At the same time, the German scientist and novelist Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, elaborated a theory of colors where he analyzes the nature and the form of representation of each one. Consequently, it became possible to attribute symbolic meanings to each one. In his theory, yellow is associated with the following values and categories:

• Moral: Good.
• Intellectual: Understanding.
• Status: Scientific.
• Traditions: Enlightenment and science.

In addition, yellow is considered a warm tone, which can give rise to warm colors (those generated from mixing yellow-red, yellow-orange). But, at the same time, yellow can give rise to cool colors, as long as it is mixed with the color with green.

In the same sense, far from there being an exclusive relationship between yellow and a particular cultural meaning, it is a series of ambiguous meanings that have crossed different cultures.

Meaning of the color yellow

Yellow and the different meanings (and even emotions) it can evoke have had particular characteristics in different cultures. While the psychology of color has studied how chromatic exposure how chromatic exposure produces a series of physiological reactions, and a specific emotional experience, anthropology has alsoand a specific emotional experience, anthropology has also shown how colors have been charged with distinct cultural meanings. At the same time, colors have represented important elements or phenomena for different times and cultures.

We will see below the meaning associated with the color yellow in three different cultures.

1. Western Europe

For centuries, in Western Europe yellow was used to mark deviant lives in the eyes of Christianity, for example, for prostitution, the sick, lepers, heresy, or anyone who did not profess the same religion, such as Jews.

Thus, in the past yellow had been associated with devaluation, especially during the Middle Ages.especially during the Middle Ages. It invoked, in this sense, the idea of disturbance and related attitudes.

Although it had previously been a symbol of divinity due to its relationship with the sun, and later it had expressed the idea of wealth; soon yellow acquired meanings in the opposite direction: an association with the color of bile, which represents both anger or unrestraint, as well as lies, betrayal and heresy.

2. Pre-Hispanic cultures

In pre-Hispanic cultures, such as ancient Mexico, yellow was associated with fire and the sun (along with red). Likewise, yellow is related to one of the four deities that make up the universe, according to the Tarascan cosmovisionaccording to the Tarascan cosmovision: the Tiripeme of the north.

It also represented one of the symbols of maintenance because of its association with corn. In fact, it is one of the four colors related to the ritual of this food, very important in cultural terms. Similarly, yellow was the color associated with the stars, and therefore, it was related to the connection between the latter and gold. In the same sense, yellow could be a symbol of wealth, but at the same time of death. On the other hand, it could also represent clarity and energy.

3. In Asia

Two of the main explanatory theories of the symbolism of colors in Asia have been Feng Shui and Yin Yang. Of the first one, its relation with the Taoist philosophy and the consideration of the five elements through which energy circulates stand out. These elements represent the whole environment, including the chromatic manifestations. In this sense, yellow would be related to the earth element, which is in turn representative of a dense and conservative atmosphere, but a also of disorder or instability.

On the other hand, in the Yin Yang, and in its representation of the world through complementary elements; yellow would be associated with Yang because of its link with the Sun and heat, in turn associated with masculinity. Finally, and for the same reason, yellow has historically positioned itself as a representative color in China, although red and green have also been so.

Bibliographical references:

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• Saborío-Bejarano, AG. (2011). The canon of color. Acta Académica, 48: 43-59.
• Gómez, Luis (2006). An approach to the subject of color in ancient Mexico. Cuicuilco, 13(36): 151-175.
• Gastañeta, P. (2002). Chromosemiotics. The meaning of color in visual communication. 46-58. Retrieved September 04, 2018. Available at http://200.62.146.19/bibvirtualdata/publicaciones/comunicacion/n3_2002/a07.pdf.
• Sánchez, A. (1999). Color: symbol of power and social order. Notes for a history of appearances in Europe. Space, Time and Form, 12: 321-354.