Psychologically, yellow is the most cheerful and optimistic color. It has neither the intense rage of red, nor the cold indifference of blue. Yellow attracts the eye, and lips involuntarily part in a smile from a completely childish feeling of lightness and anticipation of a holiday.
What is so attractive about this color? Maybe the fact that he is associated with gold and sunlight? Or the reason for this perception is much deeper.
Physiological bases of the effect of yellow on humans
This color belongs to the long-wave, “warm” part of the spectrum, but it is located at the very border of the active colors, which include red and orange. Therefore, its stimulating effect is less pronounced, it acts as a light tonic, invigorates, but does not “torpedo” physiological processes. Nevertheless, the invigorating effect of yellow is clearly visible:
- it stimulates the activity of the nervous system, helping with apathy and depression;
- improves vision;
- activates the motor centers;
- increases muscle tone;
- slightly lowers blood pressure;
- optimizes the work of the heart and breathing.
It is not for nothing that they say that surrounded by yellow, a person wants to move, and not just move, but joyfully, childishly jump and run.
One of the physiological effects of yellow is an improvement in appetite. Therefore, if you do not want to overeat, then you should not overuse this color in the kitchen.
Studies have shown that yellow fulfills the functions of feeding the nervous system very well, it is useful for children, weakened by the disease, adults and in spring, when our body suffers not only from vitamin deficiency, but also from “color hunger”.
Psychology of perception of yellow
Most of all, colors have an impact on the sphere of emotions, forcing a person to experience certain feelings. Yellow awakens a positive mood in people, but at the same time contributes to a frivolous attitude towards reality.
This color evokes the need for communication, but the topics that we choose under its influence cannot be called serious. This is light chatter and non-binding conversations. And thoughts in my head become light, like dandelion fluff flying in the sun’s rays.
Lightness of thought, however, is a very useful side effect of the color yellow. It awakens in people curiosity, thirst for new and the need to comprehend this new. Therefore, the yellow color in the interior of the room stimulates the educational process. True, it should not be too much, so as not to overload the eyesight and the nervous system.
The visual effect created by the yellow color is interesting. The objects painted by him seem to protrude, move towards us from the surrounding space. Therefore, yellow is often used in advertising, in the design of packaging for goods and in the coloring of road signs.
At the same time, the abundance of yellow quickly tires the nervous system, an enthusiastic, elated mood turns into irritation and unmotivated anger. The room with yellow walls and curtains seems spacious and filled with sunlight, but after a while a person here begins to feel tired and headache. The increased tone, supported by the yellow color, leads to an overload of our psyche, and we want to quickly leave the room decorated in this color.
Who chooses yellow
The phenomenon of color preference has been well studied by psychologists and physiologists, and choosing a favorite color can tell a lot about a person. So, warm yellow shades are liked by cheerful, active, slightly frivolous people.
- They are cheerful, active and oriented towards success, but they try not to overwork themselves and choose activities that give them pleasure.
- Those who prefer yellow love freedom, they are full of hopes for the future and are sure that all changes are for the better.
Yellow is a constant expectation of a holiday, and therefore it annoys gloomy, gloomy people. The yellow color is also rejected by those who strive for peace, to whom the vanity of life is unpleasant, and excessive gaiety causes anger.
Symbols in yellow
The symbolic meanings of yellow are diverse and contradictory. Cultural and religious traditions have such a strong influence on the perception of this color that many people, for this very reason, are wary of it or even reject it altogether, considering it unpleasant. To understand the inconsistency of the symbolism of yellow, it is enough to simply list its main meanings in modern society.
- Yellow is considered a symbol of the sun and therefore a divine color.
- Associated with gold, it personifies wealth, nobility and power.
- This color is at the same time a symbol of lies, betrayal and corruption, apparently also in connection with gold.
- A yellow ticket was issued in pre-revolutionary Russia to women engaged in prostitution.
- It symbolizes disease, as in Europe in the Middle Ages, the yellow flag was raised on ships infected with the plague.
- A sign of decay, wilting, destruction, as it evokes associations with leaves turning yellow in autumn.
- Yellow is also a sign of danger. As the brightest of the spectral colors, it was chosen to indicate a threat, for example, in a radiation hazard sign. Even in insects, a yellow color indicates their toxicity.
- This color is also a symbol of madness. In pre-revolutionary Russia, psychiatric clinics were called “yellow houses”.
Despite such contradictory and often negative symbolism, yellow is loved by children and young people. It fills them with energy and is in tune with their need for positive.
