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Yellow is a symbolic color that brings joy and delight. It makes some people feel angry and can be overwhelming if used too often. Perhaps this is because yellow can be associated with illness or aging. For example, teeth turn yellow when they are not cared for, pit stains are yellow and pages yellow over time, so it could also mean decay.

The third chakra, located at the solar plexus, is said to be yellow. Note that "solar plexus" is associated with the power of the sun (solar-sun). Yellow, then, is associated with positive thinking, with sunshine. The solar plexus is where we gather our courage and will power. When this chakra is not functioning properly, we are fearful or "yellow bellied."

Yellow is considered an unspontaneous colour. It has many different meanings, both positive and negative, and this may be why we use yellow as a sign of caution between red (danger! stop!) and green (safe! go!). Yellow seems to be a compromise, a middle way, between positive and negative, which is also reflected by the fact that the yellow chakra is indeed located right in the core, in the middle, of the body.

Western Culture[]

Despite being a symbol of summer in Western culture, yellow is in European vernacular considered something altogether negative. It is claimed that Judas Iskariot wore yellow at the communion and the color of his robe is used to symbolise deception or unreliability. It has become a symbol of falsehood and cowardice.

The plague banner is yellow and thus yellow has come to be synonymous with nasty infections. Yellow also represents the deadly sin of greed in Christianity.

In China, yellow was associated with soil of the five basic elements and mid-way of the directions.

The imperial family in China was regarded as direct descendants derived from the Sun, which was sacred, and therefore the emperor and his sons had exclusive right to wear yellow.

Yellow was also associated with old age.

Shades of Yellow[]

Golden yellow shades bears the promise of a positive future. The meaning of gold is illumination, wisdom, and wealth and it often symbolizes high quality.

Dull, or dirty, yellow represents attention, but also decay, sickness, and jealousy.

Light yellow is associated with intellect, freshness, and joy.


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