M Veera Pandiyan gives us an interesting article in The Star, Thursday 7th July 2011, on the significance of the colour ‘YELLOW’. The following is an extract:
IT’S been a rather eventful week shaded by the overwhelming colour of yellow.
In psychology, the colour is associated with optimism and cheerfulness.
Yellow, the colour of the sun, is linked with laughter, happiness and good times.
People surrounded by yellow feel optimistic because the brain actually releases more serotonin, the happy hormone that influences mood and sense of well-being.
But yellow can also be quickly overpowering if over-used. When intense, it can inflame and also evoke fear.
Studies show that babies cry more in bright yellow rooms and adults are more likely to lose their tempers in such places.
Apparently, energy levels can be taken up by the intensity of the colour to the point of it becoming an irritant.
Primarily, yellow is used to attract attention.
That is why most danger signs come in yellow and black.
Spiritually, the hue is said to provide clarity of thought and enlightenment of mood.
Yellow has a very colourful use in language.
The terms “yellow belly” or “yellow streak” connote it with cowardice, deceit or betrayal.
During the Middle Ages, paintings by Christian artists depicted Judas by dressing him in yellow.
In China, a pornographic film is called “yellow movie”, unlike the “blue movie” used in the west and elsewhere.
In Arab culture, people can recognise a “yellow smile” – a fake expression.
Such smiles are put on when people want to hide their lack of interest, or any other emotion.
It is similar to the French expression of rire jaune (yellow laughter), which means to laugh from the wrong side of the mouth or feigned mirth.
Politically, yellow characterises freedom and moderation in many countries.
In the US, where yellow traditionally has a negative nuance, the Gadsden Flag, a symbol of American independence, has become popular again, especially with “Tea Party” activists.
The yellow flag, with a fierce-looking rattlesnake, coiled and ready to strike, bears the motto: “Don’t Tread on Me”.
The US is also the origin of “yellow journalism” – the phrase to describe irresponsible, exaggerated, lurid and slanderous reporting that can be traced to the late 1800s when two newspaper owners tried to outdo each other with their front-page stories to get the highest circulation.
Back home in Malaysia, critics of the mainstream media have been accused of being “yellow-bellied”, especially with regard to positions taken on the Bersih 2.0 rally.
The organisers of our yellow rally have since agreed to call it off and hold their gathering in a stadium instead after an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
I must purchase a yellow T-shirt, as it is sure to come in useful for some future event!
Postscript: The rally did not take place on 9th July 2011 as the government refused to give a permit for the use of Stadium Merdeka. However, thousands of brave citizens demonstrated in Kuala Lumpur. 1, 667 people were arrested, including 16 children.
Post postscript: Saturday, 16th July 2011. On Tuesday, 12th July, I received the following sms (text): ‘BERSIH 2.0 calls for ‘Yellow Saturdays’ as a show of continued support for the movement’s eight demands for electoral reforms’
I therefore bought a yellow t-shirt (size XL) and wore it for my weekly shopping expedition in New Town, Petaling Jaya.
The Micah Mandate is a Christian-based public interest advocacy ministry that seeks a transformation of our nation through justice, mercy and humility.
