A full rainbow is a natural phenomenon that occurs when sunlight refracts through water droplets in the air. It produces a multicolored arc across the sky with the sequence of colors – red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. Full rainbows are formed when the sun is able to shine on the raindrops at a 42° angle relative to the viewer. Seeing a full rainbow is often considered lucky and can symbolize optimism, new beginnings, blessings, transformation, and more.
Symbolism in Different Cultures
The rainbow has held symbolic meaning for cultures around the world for thousands of years. Here is an overview of some of the key symbolic meanings associated with rainbows:
Ancient Greece
In Ancient Greek mythology, the rainbow was considered to be a path made by a messenger for the gods. It was seen as a connection between the realms of the mortal world and the realm of the gods on Mount Olympus. Iris, a goddess who personified the rainbow and acted as the link between the two realms, would travel on the rainbow as a multicolored bridge.
Pre-Christian Europe
In pre-Christian European traditions, rainbows were seen as bridges used by souls to travel between this world and the next. They were considered liminal places between life and death. Rainbows were also linked to feminine deities due to their association with water.
Hawaii
In Hawaiian culture, the rainbow is called an ‘anuenue’ and is considered a roadmarker left by a goddess named Hi’iaka as she traveled across the islands. The rainbow is a symbol of connection between the spiritual source and the islands themselves. Each color of the rainbow also holds symbolic meaning related to nature, medicine, and more.
China
Chinese mythology links the rainbow to harmony between yin and yang—feminine and masculine energy. It is seen as a bridge connecting these two opposing but complementary forces. The rainbow is also associated with the divine Fenghuang mythological bird of Chinese legends.
Judeo-Christian Traditions
In the Bible, the rainbow stands as a covenant from God to never flood the world again after Noah’s Ark. It is seen as an eternal promise and alliance between God and mankind. The rainbow is referenced in Genesis and Revelation as surrounding God’s throne, which many interpret as hope and salvation.
Native Americans
For many Native American tribes, the rainbow in legends and lore symbolizes peace, renewal, and happiness. Tribes like the Cherokee see the rainbow as a sign from the higher spirit world. Tribes like the Zuni consider rainbows a connection to the ancestors in the afterlife.
Common Symbolic Meanings
While the rainbow has distinct meanings across various cultures, there are some overarching symbolic associations that are commonly linked to seeing a rainbow:
Optimism
The rainbow’s colors and appearance after gloomy weather often represent optimism, hope, and positivity. The rainbow symbolizes the calm after the storm and the idea that even dark clouds and rain will eventually pass.
New Beginnings
As rainbows typically occur as one weather pattern transitions into another, they are seen as representing new starts and transitions. The arch of the rainbow reaches from the storm into clearer skies, like a bridge leading to brighter days ahead.
Serenity
The peace and stillness of a rainbow’s tranquil beautyinvoke feelings of serenity, especially since they often appear so vivid against the retreating grayness of a storm.Rainbows represent finding calm after chaos.
Blessings
Many cultures associate rainbows in mythology with gifts and blessings from their gods and spirits. The rainbow is seen as a sign of divine benevolence. Even without religious connotations, rainbows feel like inherent blessings to witness in nature.
Transformation
The rainbow’s bridge between different forms of weather and its multicolored display represent metamorphosis and transformation. Seeing a rainbow may symbolize embracing change and fluidity in life.
Creativity
The rainbow’s spectrum of colors inspire creativity and imagination. Rainbow symbolism often connects to free thinking, invention, artistry, unconventionality, and vision.
Diversity
As a meeting of colors, light, and perspective, the rainbow inherently represents diversity. Rainbows symbolize openness, inclusivity, and the beauty of variation.
Symbolism in Movements
In addition to cultural mythologies, rainbow symbolism is also frequently used in social movements:
Peace Movement
Rainbow imagery was embraced by the peace movement in Italy in 1961. The seven colors of the rainbow represent the diversity and inclusiveness central to ideals of harmony.
LGBTQ+ Pride
Today the rainbow is most recognized as a universal symbol of gay pride and the LGBTQ+ community. Each color represents not only nature but concepts like life, healing, sunlight, nature, serenity, spirit, and more.
| Color | Meaning |
| Red | Life |
| Orange | Healing |
| Yellow | Sunlight |
| Green | Nature |
| Blue | Harmony |
| Indigo | Serenity |
| Violet | Spirit |
Environmentalism
Rainbows are also sometimes used in environmentalism to represent natural beauty, biodiversity, and the intrinsic value of preserving nature. Overall, the rainbow spans movements seeking freedom, respect, identity, and ecological balance through its optimistic colors.
Rainbows in Nature
Rainbows themselves arise from a combination of specific conditions in the natural world:
Water Droplets
Rainbows are created by sunlight interacting with water droplets in the air. These droplets act as prisms and refract the white sunlight into the visible color spectrum. Raindrops typically create the most vivid rainbows.
Sun Angle
In order for a rainbow to form, the sun has to be at a precise 42° angle relative to the viewer. This angle allows the light to refract through the raindrops and disperse. Sun higher or lower in the sky prevents rainbow formation.
Sequence of Colors
Rainbow colors always appear in the sequence of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet. This is the sequence of visible light wavelengths, with red the longest wavelength and violet the shortest. Shorter wavelengths refract more than longer waves.
| Color | Wavelength (nm) |
|---|---|
| Red | 700-635 |
| Orange | 635-590 |
| Yellow | 590-560 |
| Green | 560-490 |
| Blue | 490-450 |
| Indigo | 450-420 |
| Violet | 420-380 |
Double Rainbows
Sometimes a secondary, fainter rainbow forms outside the primary rainbow. This occurs when light bounces twice within the raindrops before refracting back to the viewer. Double rainbows reverse the color order of the primary bow.
Spotting a Full Rainbow
Rainbows are magical to witness but can be elusive. Here are some tips for sighting a full rainbow:
Rain and Sun
You need rain and sunshine occurring simultaneously to see a rainbow. Look for rain moving away as a storm clears to allow emerging sun to shine.
Time of Day
Early morning around sunrise or evening around sunset provide prime rainbow conditions. The sun is low at these times which allows the 42° angle needed.
Vantage Point
Your view of the rainbow depends on the sun’s relative position, so move to different elevations or sides of buildings for a better sightline.
No Obstructions
Since the rainbow forms a continuous arc, any buildings, terrain, or trees that obstruct the horizon will block parts of the bow. Move to open areas with clear 360° views.
Adjust Your Position
Rainbow location shifts as you move, staying opposite the sun’s angle. If you don’t see one standing in one spot, walk slowly and scan until the rainbow angle lines up.
Reflective Surfaces
For the best color vibrancy, look for rainbows on water droplets above lakes or wet roads rather than raindrops against dark backgrounds like forests. The reflective surface brightens the rainbow.
Long Rainbow Duration
Rainbows last much longer than most people realize, so don’t give up right away if you miss it at first. Keep watching the sky and environment for ongoing rainbow conditions.
Conclusion
While they may seem elusive, full rainbows carry a sense of wonder when spotted. Their beauty and color symbolism inspire optimism across cultures. Spotting a rainbow can feel like a blessing and sign of brighter days or events ahead. Rainbows remind us that the storms in life inevitably give way again to light.
