Inspiration in the color yellow green.

The history of yellow green color.

The ancient history of yellow influenced the history of the color yellow green.

To understand the meaning of yellow green color, look to the history of the color yellow. In ancient times, yellow was associated with gold, which made it highly desirable. By the time of Christian lore, yellow became the color of Judas Iscariot and, thus, of betrayal and cowardice. Yellow was reborn in the 18th and 19th centuries as a color of sunsets, life, springtime, and warmth.

The impact of green on the history of the color yellow green.

The word “green” in English comes from the same root of the words “grass” and “grow.” The ties that green color has to nature are abundant. Green took on new meanings over time, too, for example in the 19th century when it was linked to the romantic movement in art and literature.

This yellow green pigment gained fame for its toxicity.

From the late 1700s to the late 1800s, the quest for synthetic dyes was a focus of popular chemistry. Around 1775, a German chemist named Carl W. Scheele created an arsenic-based pigment of a yellow green color. The rich opacity and bright hue gained his dye instant success. The yellow green color was used in everything from candles to children’s toys. Because of the arsenic, however, the toxic yellow green pigment led to poisoning, accidents, and death among those in close contact.

The color yellow green across different cultures.

Yellow green color meets chartreuse.

The color chartreuse is a famed yellow green color named after the French liqueur. Chartreuse is a clearer and brighter shade of yellow green, but sometimes the two color names are used interchangeably. Yellow green color is richer, in reality, and chartreuse color is considered a little more flamboyant.

Yellow green color in the Victorian period.

Bright colors like yellow green were juxtaposed in the Victorian era against the conservative blacks and grays used in daily wear. The middle of this period is when the first synthetic dyes were sent into mass production. Among them, the color yellow green became popular because of its look of green precious jewels. By the start of the 20th century, the color yellow green had appeared in silk gowns, beaded purses, ladies’ hats, and more.

The color yellow green in marketing and signage.

Because yellow green color attracts instant attention, it’s used in marketing and signage to draw eyes. In marketing, the color yellow green communicates excitement and gives a feeling of energy. In signage, yellow green color is often used in safety vests for workers near roads and highways because of its high visibility.