On the way back from Noumea to Sydney, I have met Sean Shawn Shaun Gow and we shared our love for ART. We also spoke about colours and he told me an anecdote about the colour white having a different meaning in Japan and China..
This reminded me that there is so much more to talk about yellow and that I would like to share more about it.. before the next blog on Artshine..
" There are painters who transform the sun into a yellow spot, but there are others who, thanks to their art and their intelligence, transform a yellow spot into the sun."
Pablo Picasso
So let's talk about the meanings of yellow in other cultures and history...
Meanings of Yellow
- In Japan Yellow means Courage and Nobility
- In Islam Yellow means Wisdom
- Hindus consider Yellow a Sacred colorIn India Yellow is the light in nature, it invites the soul, the aspirants wore yellow#
- Buddhist monks wear Saffron Yellow robes
- In many Middle East countries Yellow represents Golden Prosperity
- In Egypt Yellow is reserved for Mourning
- In India Yellow is the color used by Merchants*
- To Native Americans Yellow is the symbol for unconditional Love
- In China Yellow represents Honor and Royalty
- In the Christian tradition Judas wore a Yellow coat when he betrayed Jesus.
- In the "Wizard of Oz", Dorothy followed the 'Yellow Brick Road'.
- In 1968 the Beatles' film and song 'Yellow Submarine' was a huge hit.
- Law enforcement in North America uses bright Yellow tape to mark a crime scene.
- Yellow Traffic Light means caution - or slow down.
- Yellow is often used for packaging No Name products to signify bargain pricing.
- Yellow Page phone directories are a common sight everywhere.
- We 'tie a Yellow Ribbon' as a symbol of hope, peace and remembrance.
- 'Mellow Yellow' by Donovan was a hit song in 1966
- The phrase 'Yellow Journalism' is used to mean irresponsible reporting.
- The terms 'Yellow Bellied' and 'Yellow Streak' are used to signify cowardice.
- In the United States and Canada, taxis are often Yellow Cabs.
- OSHA Coding uses Yellow signs to caution against physical hazards.
- In mythology, Greek Goddesses were always 'golden haired' which has given us our fascination with blond people to this day.
- In the signs of the Zodiac, Yellow is usually associated with Taurus.
The meanings of yellow can be very contradictory. Everyone you ask will have a strong opinion about it. Yellow is one of those colors that you either love or hate.
* The color Wheel Artist website
# Reference: Victoria Finlay - Colour - Travels Through the Paintbox
page 231
Next topic will be the blue colour ;-D
