Being my favorite color, I decided that yellow would be the best color to compare in two different cultures, aka the U.S. and China. I figured Eastern vs. Western world associations and meanings would be interesting. Doing a little background research, I found that back in the 20's 'yellow journalism' referred to sensationalist journalism, which distorted news to make a profit, giving yellow a negative connotation. However, that's about the only dirt I could find on yellow (because it's so awesome). To Americans today, the color yellow is a way to stand out and grab someone's attention and is usually associated with being positive. It is perceived as happy, vivacious, joyous, upbeat, warm and inviting. Just think of the sun! Aside from that, most Americans think of how it relates to transportation! Taxis, school buses and warning signs oh my!
Researching China, each color is associated with a direction and one of the five elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, water). I learned that yellow is associated with earth and the center. I thought this was interesting, because green or brown would be earthy for us Americans and a centering color would seem to be calming- like a pastel or soft yellow- not a bold and bright one. But, I guess it makes sense seeing as China has given yellow a great deal of prominance, which seems to have started during the Ming dynasty (late 1300's) and continues through today. So, to the Chinese, yellow is seen as a a royal color, in the way that Americans think of gold (which is also a pretty rockin' color).
Yet, although yellow is imperial to most of the Chinese, it is also highly symbolic for Buddhist monks' whose robes are yellow. Since they live simplistically, they see yellow as the color closest to earth, and therefore, it signifies humility and selflessness. I thought that this was fascinating that a color could have two drastic meanings such as these two.
Interestingly enough, they also assoicate yellow with mourning. While I will not wear black to funerals, I also don't think I'll be showing up in all yellow looking like a giant lemon drop. I would consider it disrespectful because to me, yellow is a happy color- which in my mind does not fit with a funeral or mourning. So, I found it intriguing that one culture could associate yellow with these very different meanings. But, one thing is clear, both of our cultures LOVE yellow!
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A great and detailed analysis of the color yellow! Definitely some good research and thought put into this post.
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