And it Was All Yellow (for the Jews)

Here we see some Jews and Christians (Jews in yellow, Christians in green)

Throughout history the Jewish people have been associated with the color yellow in a not so positive way, this tradition of appointing color to a certain undesirable race/religion can trace its history back to medieval times. There are many instances in history where the Jewish people have been mistreated, and this is common knowledge, although no one really knows the definite reason for the mistreatment of Jews by almost every religion, leaders, countries, etc. we can somewhat acquire a knowledge as to why they were allotted the bright and cheery color of yellow for a negative reason.

Another Jewish guy in yellow clothing

During the medieval period the color yellow carried multiple religious and cultural meanings that were both negative and positive. While in the Christian religion it a held symbolic meaning of “renewal and hope” it also was “associated with envy, greed, and treachery” (Source Two). “Cowardice, betrayal, egoism, and madness” are also associated with the color yellow (Source One). With this knowledge it makes sense as to why horrible leaders decided to force Jews to wear yellow clothing and garments during the medieval ages. The acts of greed and treachery have commonly (and wrongly) been associated with the Jewish people because of their infamous connection with usury and money.

Yellow Star of David worn by Jews during WWII 

While some leaders forced the Jewish people to wear yellow clothes, others like King Edward I and Pope Innocent III decided to throw some yellow Stars of David on them. These rules were established so that Jews were able to “distinguish themselves from the Christians” (Source Three). Another leader named Hitler came along and followed in their like by forcing the Jewish people to distinguish themselves from the Christians around them with yellow Stars of David that said “Jude” (how original). And also like the previously mentioned leaders, Hitler wrongly persecuted the Jews for crazy reasons thus continuing the bizarre anti-Semitic circle history seems to be turning in. 

Source One: http://www.colormatters.com/the-meanings-of-colors/yellow 
Source Two: http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/color-yellow.htm

Source Three: https://santitafarella.wordpress.com/2009/02/15/question-of-the-day-what-is-the-origin-of-the-yellow-star-of-david-that-the-nazis-required-jews-to-wear-at-the-time-of-the-holocaust/