Yellow the Happy Colour
Happy Yellow
Why yellow is the jolliest colour of them all?
It’s hard not to feel happy when surrounded by the colour yellow- it shines like the sun on a warm summer’s day. Here we take a look what yellow symbolises around the world, along with some of the artworks that have used yellow to amazing effect, plus some considerations for using yellow at home.
Shades of yellow
In western culture, yellow symbolises happiness and joy. It is a bright and optimistic colour- just think of the ever chirpy, every cheery big bird. Popular shades of yellow include canary, daffodil and mustard. And then there are the shades that are good enough to eat. From lemon to honey, butter to banana and corn through to butterscotch, just about all the shades of yellow are truly delicious!
Stimulating yellow
With its positive vibes and strong presence, yellow is also associated with leadership, charisma and confidence. It is the third colour of the rainbow and the third colour of the chakra system, in which it is associated with the solar plexus. It stimulates the intellect and energizes the nervous system, giving one a sense of purpose.
Yellow around the world
Yellow has different meanings in cultures from around the world. In France in the tenth century, the traitors and criminals would have their doors painted yellow, and it has been associated with betrayal and jealousy ever since. In China, it’s associated with ‘adult’ material! And because of its likeness to gold, the ancient Egyptians associated yellow with wealth and used it to adorn mummies and decorate tombs. It has symbolic reference to the afterlife to this day.
Classic yellow artworks
Some famous artists have used yellow to incredible effect. Vincent van Gogh was a huge fan of the colour yellow. It is seen featured in his “The Yellow House” and “The Bedroom in Arles” and of course, the piece that is arguably his most famous work, “Sunflowers”. Plenty of other artists have showcased yellow too. Mondrian created multiple linear compositions with yellow, while Klimt’s artworks shone in gold. And there’s Andy Warhol’s pop art banana print, which appears on the cover of the iconic ‘The Velvet Underground & Nico’ album.
Using yellow at home
If you’re thinking about using yellow on the walls at home, or purchasing a piece of artwork in yellow tones, featuring this colour will certainly brighten and warm up a room. It’s an excellent choice for rooms that don’t get much natural light coming in and because it reflects light, it can be used on the ceiling as well. Yellow is often used in bathrooms and looks great paired with brass or gold. In paler shades, it’s a comforting choice for baby’s room, especially if the gender of the new arrival is a surprise. Check out this Country Living article for some heavenly yellow inspiration.
Across its numerous shades, yellow is a colour that is comforting, cheery and warming. Light up your home, and your life, by bringing in some yellow!
For more colour inspiration check out these happy Instagram accounts