So What?
When I was little (what a shocker so far ago huh?), the only thing I associated the color with was urine. So everything yellow was instantaneously eww. Whether it was a mundane item like a yellow t-shirt or a ripe banana or anything peculiarly yellow, I loathed it all. I would automatically make fun of the yellow pee-pee and hope I wasn't stuck with that color.
I didn't care for its natural vibrancy, expressive joy, or its importance as a neutral fashion staple.
But hey, in my defense, I didn't have the submarines, umbrellas, fever, or Coldplay to change my mind about this color.
I have definitely outgrown this phase of dislike for the color yellow (maybe with the help with the aforementioned^^?). I even chose Yellow to be my camp name as a camp counselor this year because it's the color that represents my favorite character in my favorite Chinese myth about the Seven Fairy Maidens. You see, the myth is about the seven beautiful daughters of the Jade Emperor, the ruler of Heaven and all the realms. The most famous version of the myth has to do with the seventh fairy falling in love with a human and their struggle to stay together although it is almost impossible and forbidden. Valentine's Day on the Chinese Lunar calendar is often thought to be in their honor, celebrating the day they can finally be together. She is often represented as the "weaver girl" or Goddess Weaver who created the Milky Way and gives color and light to the world. Together, the sisters are each represented by the colors of the rainbow (the Chinese Version): 紅橙黃綠藍靛紫, red orange yellow green blue indigo purple. In my family, there are also seven daughters, which is really rare to find in a lot of Chinese families today! And because it is a popular, well-known myth, whenever my parents' friends meet my sisters and I, they will liken us to the myth. I have heard that myth mentioned so much in my life that it has inadvertently become my favorite because it is so close to my heart. My favorite character in the myth is the third sister because I, too, am the third oldest; because they are represented by the rainbow, the third color yellow is her color. I guess choosing Yellow as a name some people know me by reminds me to be who I want to be, a little more carefree and graceful, just as if they were calling me the fairy maiden themselves.
I've always wished it were true. The myth wasn't just a myth and I was actually the Third Fairy (haha I realize how silly it all sounds even as I type it.) How I would love to be a fairy, flying high up in the clouds, watching people from afar, playing with magic powers, to love and be loved.
I have definitely outgrown this phase of dislike for the color yellow (maybe with the help with the aforementioned^^?). I even chose Yellow to be my camp name as a camp counselor this year because it's the color that represents my favorite character in my favorite Chinese myth about the Seven Fairy Maidens. You see, the myth is about the seven beautiful daughters of the Jade Emperor, the ruler of Heaven and all the realms. The most famous version of the myth has to do with the seventh fairy falling in love with a human and their struggle to stay together although it is almost impossible and forbidden. Valentine's Day on the Chinese Lunar calendar is often thought to be in their honor, celebrating the day they can finally be together. She is often represented as the "weaver girl" or Goddess Weaver who created the Milky Way and gives color and light to the world. Together, the sisters are each represented by the colors of the rainbow (the Chinese Version): 紅橙黃綠藍靛紫, red orange yellow green blue indigo purple. In my family, there are also seven daughters, which is really rare to find in a lot of Chinese families today! And because it is a popular, well-known myth, whenever my parents' friends meet my sisters and I, they will liken us to the myth. I have heard that myth mentioned so much in my life that it has inadvertently become my favorite because it is so close to my heart. My favorite character in the myth is the third sister because I, too, am the third oldest; because they are represented by the rainbow, the third color yellow is her color. I guess choosing Yellow as a name some people know me by reminds me to be who I want to be, a little more carefree and graceful, just as if they were calling me the fairy maiden themselves.
I've always wished it were true. The myth wasn't just a myth and I was actually the Third Fairy (haha I realize how silly it all sounds even as I type it.) How I would love to be a fairy, flying high up in the clouds, watching people from afar, playing with magic powers, to love and be loved.
Yes, I get all that from the color Yellow. It's funny because I got a major lesson out of camp reflecting on my own decision for the name Yellow. Who would have thunk this color would mean so much to me, certainly not me. Overall, I wanted to explain my camp name and my fascination with the ethereal beauty of myths. And it also teaches me something about beauty and aesthetics. I have to look beyond the mere outside of things and never make an over-encompassing decision about something I never gave a chance. Otherwise I'll miss out on the little things that can be the beginnings of something magical in this realm, like the natural wonder of sunlight, the fresh smell of daffodils, or the crisp clean of an old journal page full of juicy secrets. It's all in the perception of things and the way we go about life. Additionally, that same camp showed us a short movie called "Butterfly Circus", that I really recommend, that packs a great punch that is important to learn and to ponder everyday.
It is strange how thinking about the color yellow could possibly lead me to so many different insights, but it is important to remember that you don't have to change yourself entirely to become someone you aspire to be. The power resides in us all, and sometimes, if we are open minded and sharp, we'll pick up hints and inspirations along the way to guide us towards the better.
(Btw...It's getting obvious that I really like using the links huh?)
It is strange how thinking about the color yellow could possibly lead me to so many different insights, but it is important to remember that you don't have to change yourself entirely to become someone you aspire to be. The power resides in us all, and sometimes, if we are open minded and sharp, we'll pick up hints and inspirations along the way to guide us towards the better.
(Btw...It's getting obvious that I really like using the links huh?)
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