yellow

Yellow is a color perception that lies between green and orange in the visible spectrum. It corresponds to wavelengths roughly between 570 and 590 nanometers. In additive color mixing, yellow is created by combining red and green light; in subtractive color systems used with pigments, yellow pigments reflect yellow wavelengths while absorbing others.

The perception of yellow depends on lighting and surrounding colors, and is mediated by the eye’s cone cells; several factors, including context and brightness, influence how intense or muted a yellow appears. In design and art, yellow is often used to draw attention or convey warmth, and it can appear more vivid beside cool colors while seeming softer next to pale neutrals.

Historically and culturally, yellow has carried diverse meanings. The word derives from Old English geolu, related to other Germanic terms for the color. Yellow pigments have a long art-historical use; traditional pigments include ochre, as well as later lead-based chrome yellow and cadmium yellow, both known for their brightness but also for toxicity. Modern yellow pigments emphasize safety and environmental considerations, using synthetic or organic formulations.

In everyday use, yellow serves practical purposes. It is common on warning signs, hazard labels, and high-visibility clothing due to its high conspicuity. It appears in nature in flowers, fruits, and minerals, often associated with sunlight and warmth. In color systems, yellow remains a primary in some pigment models and a secondary component in light-based models, reflecting its central role in how humans experience color.