In Western cultures, the color "yellow" usually represents cowardness,?

Question

so why do we use the "yellow ribbon" as a symbol to represent the bravery of troops that we await the return of from war?

Answer 1

I agree, this is a good question. Interesting that you stated "western" cultures refer to a person being "yellow" as in chicken or scared. I'm sure you know that eastern cultures relate to yellow as in the sun (the land of the rising sun - in the east). Native americans refer to the colour yellow on a medicine wheel as eastern doorway (or where the run rises) and yellow man as in oriental.
I have to agree that in the US, they may have picked up this from that song....not meaning to offend people by the colour of the ribbon.

Answer 2

I really don't think one has anything to do with the other, its just coincidental. From the first reply, I'm sure you are thinking that yes it was coined by the song, "Tie a yellow ribbon round the old oak tree," but why did the writer choose yellow" Good question. If it would have been green would you have asked the same question referring to "being green with envy."

Answer 3

From the old Tony Orlando song "Tie a yellow ribbon around the old oak tree"

Answer 4

is any style of color that makes you to loosen up like..... organic tones: blue, gentle blue, gentle brown, white vegetation, yellow no longer the bright via fact it gets drained to the attention gray ok doesnt exist in nature yet there is color or hue and green khaki, green-yellowish