The Power of Color: How Yellow Shapes Summer Mood and Meaning

August 6, 2025

If Amicreative had a signature color, it might just be that deep, rich mustard yellow. It’s not loud—but it’s bold. Warm, grounded, and quietly joyful. I’m constantly drawn to it for its depth and versatility. You’ll find it threaded through nearly every palette I use—whether it’s tucked into a floral illustration, anchoring a gift wrap pattern, or accenting a greeting card.

That love for golden tones runs deep. Growing up, summer meant waiting patiently for Kent mangoes to arrive at the grocery store—the only ones my mom and aunts said were worth buying. It meant turmeric stirred into just about everything we cooked, staining our fingertips and our aprons. And it meant bright orange marigolds—flowers that always reminded my parents of festivals and celebrations in India, and the rituals they grew up with.

That palette of saturated warmth—mustard, saffron, gold—is one that still shapes my work today. You’ll see it across so many of my designs, in some form or another. It’s not just a color choice—it’s part of my creative language.

The Meaning Behind Summer’s Colors

Across many cultures, orange and yellow have long been the colors of warmth, energy, and transformation.

In Indian tradition, they hold deep spiritual meaning—often seen together in garlands, saris, and rituals that mark celebration and renewal.

Orange is tied to sacred fire, representing strength, vitality, and devotion.

Yellow is worn during pujas and ceremonies to invite peace, clarity, and learning.

They’re not just beautiful together—they tell a story of light, both literal and symbolic. That combination—bold yet grounding—has become an anchor in my own design language.

And this reverence for yellow runs through many traditions.

🎨 Color Glossary: In Chinese tradition, yellow symbolized royalty and was once reserved for emperors—it stood for power and prosperity.

In Western art, yellow has long been associated with enlightenment and the divine—golden halos circling saints, golden-hour light in Impressionist paintings. One of the earliest yellow pigments, orpiment, was made from arsenic and highly toxic. Later, Indian Yellow—a vivid, glowing hue—was said to be made from the urine of cows fed on mango leaves, a practice now banned but still legendary among pigment historians.

In Chinese tradition, yellow was once reserved for emperors, symbolizing power and harmony.

In Japanese culture, yellow chrysanthemums stand for longevity and rejuvenation.
In ancient Egypt, yellow was the color of the eternal—used in tomb paintings, jewelry, and sacred objects to represent the divine.

💡 Color Note: In ancient Egypt, yellow represented the eternal and divine. It was used in tomb art, jewelry, and amulets to honor the gods and ensure safe passage to the afterlife.

Living with Yellow: Small Moments of Sunshine

Yellow has always reminded me of the warmth of sunshine—the kind that lands gently on your face during a quiet morning, or filters through leaves in the late afternoon. It’s a color that feels like presence. Like possibility.

And while it might not be everyone’s favorite shade to wear, there are so many ways to invite that golden glow into your everyday life.

How to Add Yellow Into Your Everyday Life

Pick up a bouquet: Sunflowers, marigolds, yellow tulips, even craspedia (those cheerful yellow pom-pom stems) can instantly brighten a corner of your home.

Tuck it into your kitchen:A soft dish towel, a lemon in a ceramic bowl, or even a handwritten recipe card—all tiny ways to bring warmth into your space. My own stand mixer is a rich golden yellow, and most of my favorite serving dishes are yellow too. I don’t use them every day, but I love pulling them out when I need a little extra brightness on the table—they feel like instant sunshine.

Wear it quietly: If bold yellow isn’t your thing, try a mustard scarf tied around your neck or purse. A touch of ochre on a bracelet or even yellow sandals on a sunny day—it doesn’t have to be loud to be felt.

Let it lead your creativity: I often start a piece with yellow when I want to bring clarity or lightness to the design. Try using yellow as your grounding hue in a sketch, a moodboard, or even just a quick doodle in your notebook.

💡 Creative Tip: Think of yellow as a whisper instead of a shout—it can be the thread that ties a space, a moment, or a mood together, even in the smallest way.

Wrapping Up: Yellow as a Way of Seeing

When you start noticing color, you begin to see the world differently. Yellow becomes more than just a color—it becomes a feeling. A reminder of warmth, joy, and the quiet beauty in ordinary things.

For me, it’s tied to memories of summer mangoes, turmeric-scented kitchens, and sunlit marigolds from stories my parents told. It’s woven into the designs I create and the way I move through a season. But what yellow means to you—that’s a story worth exploring too.

So here’s your gentle nudge: look for your yellows. The ones that make you pause. That remind you of something sweet, grounding, or full of light. Let them brighten your day, even in small ways.

We’ll continue this color journey soon—next up: the rich, earthy tones of fall and how they invite us to slow down.

Want to Keep Exploring?

If yellow is calling to you like it calls to me, I’ve put together a Pinterest board filled with yellow-toned inspiration—from sunlit interiors to vibrant textiles, botanical details, and artful moments that bring this color to life.

👉 Click here to explore the Golden Mood Pinterest board

Golden Details: A Few Things You Might Not Know About Yellow

Before we wrap up, I wanted to share a few little-known facts about yellow—where it comes from, what it’s meant to different cultures, and how it’s been used through history. These golden details add depth to a color we often take for granted, revealing just how much story and symbolism can live inside a single hue.