Golden yellow is a warm, bright shade that evokes sunlight, happiness and optimism. Many natural and man-made objects exhibit some variation of golden yellow color. In this article, we will explore common things that are golden yellow in appearance.
Nature
In nature, golden yellow is a relatively rare color, compared to greens, blues and browns. But there are some notable plants, animals, foods and minerals that are associated with golden yellow shades.
Plants
Several flower species produce golden yellow blooms. Some examples include:
| Sunflowers | One of the most iconic golden yellow flowers, sunflowers have bright yellow petals surrounding a brown center. |
| Daffodils | Daffodils are one of the first flowers to bloom in spring. The trumpet-shaped flowers come in golden yellow shades. |
| Daylilies | Daylilies are a popular perennial plant that produce clumps of yellow flowers that each last only one day. |
| Daisies | Some daisy varieties have golden yellow petals, like the rudbeckia hirta, also known as black-eyed Susans. |
| Goldenrod | True to its name, goldenrod has clusters of tiny golden yellow flowers that bloom in late summer and fall. |
In addition to flowers, some tree leaves turn golden yellow in autumn, most notably ginkgo biloba, tulip trees and some maple tree varieties.
Animals
Many animals have golden yellow as a primary color in their appearance. Some examples include:
| Goldfish | Goldfish earned their name from their shining golden-orange coloration. Selective breeding has produced many different shades. |
| Canaries | Canaries are small yellow songbirds that were named after the Canary Islands. Their bright yellow feathers contrast with some black and brown accents. |
| Honey bees | Bees are well known for their black and golden yellow striped bodies, which serves as a warning coloration. |
| Yellow labs | The Labrador retriever dog breed comes in three colors, including a golden yellow shade known as “yellow labs.” |
| American goldfinch | The American goldfinch is a bright yellow songbird with black wings and cap. The males are more vibrantly colored than females. |
Foods
Many popular foods commonly have a golden or deep yellow color. Some prime examples include:
| Bananas | Ripe bananas develop a signature golden yellow peel and pulp. |
| Corn | Corn kernels are golden yellow when freshly picked and cooked. |
| Lemons | Freshly sliced lemons reveal a zesty golden yellow interior. |
| Pineapple | Pineapple flesh ranges from nearly white to golden yellow depending on the variety. |
| Squash | Winter squash like butternut turn golden yellow when cooked. Summer squash is also yellow. |
| Sweet potatoes | Baked sweet potatoes develop a creamy golden interior. |
Spices like turmeric and curry powder are also vibrant golden yellow. Yellow cheddar cheese gets its color from added annatto.
Minerals
In terms of minerals, gold and sulfur are most associated with golden hues.
Gold is well known for its radiant golden yellow color. Gold gets its color from the absorption and reflection of visible light waves by the electrons in the atoms.
Sulfur is a bright yellow non-metallic mineral found near hot springs and volcanoes. In its pure form, sulfur is lemon yellow. When burned, it produces a blue flame and sulfur dioxide gas.
Man-Made Objects
Many human-made objects utilize golden yellow for aesthetic appeal or practical reasons. Some examples include:
Transportation
| School buses | In the U.S. and Canada, school buses are painted national school bus glossy yellow for visibility. |
| Taxi cabs | The iconic New York City taxi cab is painted yellow for visibility. |
| Construction vehicles | Bulldozers, backhoes and construction vehicles are often painted yellow for safety. |
Infrastructure
| Traffic signs | Key road signs like yield and merge signs use golden yellow backgrounds. |
| Safety vests | Construction crews often wear high visibility safety vests in neon yellow. |
| Traffic lines | Solid and dashed lines on roads are marked with yellow paint. |
Products
| Post-it Notes | Sticky Post-it note pads come in golden yellow to stand out against documents. |
| Highlighters | Yellow highlighter ink shows up clearly on dark text. |
| Rubber ducks | Rubber duck toys for bath time often come in bright golden yellow. |
| Smiley faces | The classic smiley face has a golden yellow circle for a head. |
| Emoji faces | Many emoji faces use golden yellow as their default color. |
Culture
The color yellow has significant meaning in many cultures around the world. It is often associated with sunshine, happiness, optimism and hope.
In Western cultures, yellow signifies friendship and openness. However, it can also symbolize deceit or cowardice in some contexts. People describe being jealous or envious as “turning green with envy and yellow with jealousy.”
In China, yellow represents royalty and power. Only the emperor was allowed to wear yellow robes. Yellow also symbolizes virtue, harmony and wisdom in Chinese culture.
In Egypt, yellow conveyed mourning and death, while also representing gold and eternal life. Gods and pharaohs were shown with golden yellow skin.
In India, yellow or golden color is associated with merchants. It also represents the third stage of life following white (birth) and red (marriage).
Conclusion
Golden yellow is a bright, warm color that evokes sunshine and positivity. It occurs naturally in flowers, animals, foods and minerals. People also utilize golden yellow purposefully in transportation, infrastructure, products and graphic designs to attract attention. The color yellow has cultural symbolism related to happiness, friendship, power, mourning, merchants and more throughout the world. So the next time you see something golden yellow, consider the interesting natural origins and human associations of this vibrant color.
