Have you ever considered the Yellow color and what it means to you? Yellow defines Spring for me. Coming out of gray shades of winter, the blooming of forsythia and daffodils outshines the colorless landscape around them. The science of color delves into the psychology of color. Yellow means happiness: you might think of sunshine. As I look out my window on a rainy day, Yellow blooms look brilliant and create their radiance like sunlight budding from branches and stems.
Yellow exudes joy and optimism and means new beginnings in spring, especially in Wisconsin. We have a variety of yellow birds at our feeders: finches, warblers, tanagers, and pine siskins. Yet, the male goldfinches are magical to me. After shedding their dull winter plumage, they become vibrant Yellow, a sight that signals the arrival of spring!
While dandelions may be a gardener's bane, they are joyful in the hearts of young children as they pick a bouquet for their mothers. Throughout the season, Yellow saturates the earth, nurturing our garden with Black-eyed Susans, Sunflowers, Zinnias, Marigolds, Coneflowers, and Daisies. The mere thought of these blooms brings a warm smile and anticipation of the months to come.
Let’s think of color science. Yellow is a primary color, which means we can’t make it. It is a gift to us, along with red and blue. The mixture of those colors creates an infinite spectrum of colors—the values of sunny yellow range from pale butter to the earthy color of ochre. This is why yellow is so versatile and can be found in many cultures associated with positive traits like happiness, warmth, and generosity.
Norwegian countries favor the shades of Yellow in their designs and in painting their houses. When we visited Sweden, we learned that the symbolism of Yellow in their flag means generosity, and from personal experience, this is true. We have been to Sweden twice; on the last visit, I noticed houses painted in shades of Yellow, especially ochre. Their use of yellow may help them through their long winters. Understanding these cultural associations can deepen our appreciation for the color. This introduction to ochre made me appreciate the color, and I have been brainstorming ways to use it!
I started noticing yellow more in my surroundings, in nature, in art, and in everyday objects. It's amazing how a color can have such a profound impact on our perception and emotions.
Birch, poplar, and maple tree leaves turn Yellow in the fall. Their colors warm us and bring us joy even though the temperatures are cooler as we walk through the woods in jackets. This is the last gift of yellow before winter comes, and we wait for Yellow daffodils and goldfinches again.
I would love to hear your thoughts on this. What does yellow mean to you? How does it make you feel? Do you have a favorite shade of Yellow? Please share your Yellows with me!
