The color canary yellow gets its name from the vibrant yellow feathers of canary birds. Canaries are small songbirds that are native to the Canary Islands, Madeira, and the Azores. They were brought to Europe in the 15th century, where their bright yellow color soon lent its name to the vibrant shade we know as canary yellow.
History of Canary Yellow
Canaries have been kept as pets for centuries, prized for their small size, melodious song, and bright plumage. The yellow color of their feathers comes from carotenoids in their diet of seeds and fruit. This vibrant yellow soon became associated with the birds themselves.
By the 16th century, the color yellow had become known as “canary yellow” or “canary bird yellow” in English, French, Spanish and other European languages. The first recorded use of the term “canary yellow” in English dates back to 1598. It referred specifically to the bright, saturated yellow tone of canary feathers.
Over the following centuries, canary yellow became firmly established as a color name in the dyeing and textile industries. Clothing, fabric and yarn were produced in the vibrant canary yellow tone. In 1848, the first synthetic aniline dye was created with a color matching the canary’s plumage. This allowed large scale manufacturing of canary yellow fabric and clothing.
Use of Canary Yellow in Fashion and Decor
Canary yellow became a popular fashion color in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It was particularly fashionable during the Regency era, with women’s gowns and men’s waistcoats often made from fabric dyed a rich canary yellow. The bright shade conveyed joy and optimism.
In interior design, canary yellow became a hallmark of early American colonial decor. Painted and upholstered furniture in sunny canary yellow featured heavily in Colonial and Federalist style homes of the 18th and early 19th centuries.
The cheery color also became popular in Victorian era design. Canary yellow wallpaper, upholstery and painted furniture lent a bright, welcoming feel to Victorian parlors and sitting rooms.
Symbolism of Canary Yellow
As a bright, warm yellow hue, canary yellow carries many of the same symbolic associations as yellow in general. It is energetic and uplifting, evoking joy, happiness and optimism. It also symbolizes imagination, creativity and intelligence.
More specifically, canary yellow has traditionally symbolized:
- Vitality, vigor and health – stemming from its association with canary birds and their singing
- Hope and positivity
- Skill and self-confidence – canary yellow was the color of medieval craft guilds
- Wealth and prosperity
In many cultures, yellow is associated with gold, the sun and success. Canary yellow carries these positive connotations while also lending a softer, more whimsical feel than deep golden yellow tones.
Use of Canary Yellow Today
Though canary yellow goes in and out of fashion, it remains a staple color across many design fields. Some key uses today include:
- Fashion – Canary yellow clothing, handbags and accessories lend a playful, summery feel. Pale canary yellow is also popular for bridal wear.
- Interior design – Canary yellow paint or decor adds warmth and vibrancy. It is particularly popular in kitchens, dining rooms and children’s spaces.
- Product design – Items like headphones, appliances and furniture are often available in canary yellow, as it catches consumers’ eyes.
- Branding – Companies use canary yellow in logos and branding to convey joy, playfulness and imagination.
While deep yellow tones can sometimes feel overwhelming, light canary yellow has an irresistible cheerfulness. Its associations with vitality and creativity help explain canary yellow’s enduring popularity across design and culture.
Canary Yellow Facts
- Canary yellow sits between pale lemon yellow and golden yellow on the color wheel. It has a hue angle of around 55 degrees.
- In the RYB (red, yellow, blue) color model, canary yellow consists of yellow with a small amount of white. In the RGB model, it is made from a combination of red, green and blue light.
- Canary yellow got its name from the wild canaries of the Canary Islands, known as the Atlantic canary (Serinus canaria). The birds were named after the islands, not vice versa.
- Canary yellow feathers come from carotenoids found in the canaries’ diet. In captivity, canaries are sometimes fed carrots or yellow corn to maintain their color.
- Not all canaries are yellow – some species have red, brown, green, white or grey plumage. But the yellow canary is the species most well-known in Europe.
- Bizarre medieval practices to obtain canary yellow included caging chickens with canary birds so their eggs would take on a yellow yolk, or feeding cows madder root to yellow their milk.
- Canary yellow became symbolic of craftsmanship because medieval craft guilds would display a canary bird next to their coat of arms.
So in summary, canary yellow gets its name from the bright yellow plumage of canary birds native to the Canary Islands. This vibrant yellow tone has lent its name to a beloved color that retains its cheerfulness and energy even today.
Conclusion
Canary yellow has a rich history spanning centuries, but its origins clearly lie with the tiny yellow songbirds that lent it their name. While fashions change, the unique appeal of canary yellow comes from its ability to capture the spirit of joy, hope and imagination. This sunshine-evoking shade continues to add a touch of vibrance and vitality to design and culture today.
