Yellow and Black the Colours of our Crisis

Yellow is the international maritime color of the quarantine, in which we are currently in as a society, along with almost the entire world. At this point, we’ve passed the official and psychological number of million people infected, and many millions around the world who are either in hospitals, quarantine, self-isolation or who just stay at home to help to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Therefore, we've illuminated the roundabout in our hometown in yellow lights to show gratitude to our local community and also to continuously remind people to keep staying at home.

This idea came from our colleague who studied at the Faculty of Maritime Studies. He remembered the yellow-black signal flag Lima, called the Yellow Jack, which when flown in harbor means the ship is under quarantine. The flag signage system on ships has been in use since the 14th century when quarantine was first introduced in Dubrovnik, Croatia. This currently very efficient epidemiological and public healthcare measure was invented in 1377 in our country, almost seven centuries ago, where everyone coming from abroad had to stay for 40 days in isolation at the near islands and at the Lazareti, the first organized quarantine in the world, before getting in contact with the local citizens. That’s why it’s called the quarantine, the etymology of the word lies in the fact that 40 days (quaranta in Italian) was a period long enough to be sure the person is not contagious. Although there have been other flag colors in use throughout history, there are known examples of yellow-flagged anchored ships at the entrance to Venice. Also, there are records from 1883 where, at the request of the health inspection, ships with infected crews had to be marked with a yellow flag at the port of Hamburg. Since then, Yellow Jack is the international symbol for quarantine on ships.

We agreed with our town authorities that illuminating our biggest roundabout at the entrance of our town Pula in yellow lights is a great way to express collective solidarity. The yellow and black effect also meant that almost half of the luminaires will be off, so there will be some additional energy savings that are nonetheless of grand importance in the time of crisis and uncertainty. The yellow lighting seemed like a notable way to give symbolic support foremost to the healthcare professionals who are helping the infected to recover, but also to all public and private services and volunteers who work together to prevent the spread of coronavirus. It should encourage our fellow citizens, and people around the world who are quarantined, self-isolated or simply follow the instructions of epidemiologists and relevant Civil Protection Staffs to endure and keep their spirits lifted as this too shall pass, and hopefully, it will pass as painlessly and quickly as possible.

These are immensely challenging times for all of us, and we must remember that we are in this together. The light transmits this message, that we are not alone. Please follow this initiative and encourage it by using the international language of light to remind the people to stay healthy and keep each other safe.

Stay at home.

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