What does the color yellow mean in Psychology?

In general, the color yellow is associated with light, gold, happiness and energy. But, where do these relationships between said 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 see some of the meanings attributed to the color yellow in different cultures, as well as the main paradigms for describing the existing color systems.

• Related article: "Color psychology: meaning and curiosities of colors"

Main ways to describe colors

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

This goes back to the seventeenth century, when Newton's studies on the decomposition of light, allowed to establish 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 which are therefore known as primary colors. These are yellow, cyan, and magenta, which usually translates to 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, developed a theory of colors where he analyzes the nature and form of representation of each one. Consequently it became possible to attribute symbolic meanings to each. In his theory, yellow is associated with the following values ​​and categories:

• Moral: Good.
• Intellectual: Understanding.
• Status: Scientists.
• Traditions: Illumination and science.

Also, yellow is considered a warm shade, which can lead to warm colors (those that are generated from mixing yellow-red, yellow-orange). But, at the same time, yellow can give way to cold 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 meaning cultural, it is a series of ambiguous meanings that have gone through 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 color exposure produces a series of physiological reactions, and a specific emotional experience; anthropology has also realized how colors have been charged with different cultural meanings. At the same time, the 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 For example, for prostitution, the sick, lepers, heresy, or anyone who does not profess the same religion, such as the Jews.

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

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

• You may be interested: "What does the color red mean in psychology?"

2. Prehispanic cultures

In pre-Hispanic cultures, as in ancient Mexico, yellow was associated with fire and the sun (along with red). Likewise, the yellow is related to one of the four deities that make up the universeAccording to the Tarascan worldview: the North Tiripeme.

It also represented one of the symbols of maintenance due to its association with corn. In fact, it is one of the four colors related to the ritual to this food, very important in cultural terms. In the same way, yellow was the color associated with the stars, and for the same reason, 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 relationship with Taoist philosophy and the consideration of the five elements through which energy circulates stands out. These elements represent the entire 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 at 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 been positioned as a representative color in China, although red and green have also been.

Bibliographic references:

• Llorente, C., García, F. and Soria, V. (2017). Comparative analysis of chromatic symbology in advertising. Nike in China and Spain. Vivat Academy. Communication Magazine. 142, 51-78.
• Saborío-Bejarano, AG. (2011). The canon of color. Academic Record, 48: 43-59.
• Gómez, Luis (2006). An approach to the theme of color in ancient Mexico. Cuicuilco, 13 (36): 151-175.
• Gastañeta, P. (2002). The chromosemiotic. The meaning of color in visual communication. 46-58. Retrieved September 4, 2018. Available in 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.