From cowards being branded yellow to tying yellow ribbons on trees in hopes of a soldiers safe return, yellow has earned a very diverse range of meanings.

Yellow shines like the sun, fills us with joy and imparts a generally cheerful outlook. Of all the colours, yellow is definitely the most mellow.

Yellow warns us of coming dangers as seen in construction signs and the amber light that warns us of the impending red. Yellow stimulates the mind.

Communication, memory, logic and concentration will be amplified in a room with yellow walls - this makes it a wonderful choice for an office, library or childs playroom.

Yellow inspires optimism, creativity, sound decision-making, honour and loyalty. It increases ones capacity to charm and persuade. Yellow also stimulates the nervous system, so be sure to use small amounts of complementary colours as well.

The downside of yellow is its association with cowardice, betrayal, dishonesty, jealousy, deceit and illness.

Yellow can help us with depression, low self-esteem, short attention span, writes block and pre-exam nerves. It is said that eating yellow food can actually help to detoxify your system.

Yellow is one of those colours that can afford to be taken in large doses like wall paint or other large design attributes in the home. It also serves as artificial sunlight for a normally dark room. If you prefer smaller doses, yellow flowers will brighten anyones day.