The popular weather rhyme “red sky at night, sailors’ delight. Red sky in morning, sailors take warning” is not verbatim from the Bible, but expresses a similar sentiment about reading the signs of nature to predict coming weather. While this exact rhyme does not appear, there are a few relevant Bible verses about the sky’s appearance foretelling weather changes.
Old Testament References
In the Old Testament, there are a couple verses in Job that speak of the meaning behind certain sky colors and what they portend for the weather:
“Do you know how God controls the clouds and makes his lightning flash?
Do you know how the clouds hang poised, those wonders of him who has perfect knowledge?” (Job 37:15-16)
“From the south comes the storm, and the cold from the north.” (Job 37:9)
While not specifically mentioning red skies, these verses convey the idea that the appearance of the sky can signify where weather patterns are coming from. Red sunsets are often caused by clouds, haze, and moisture in the atmosphere, conditions that can mean a storm front is approaching from the west. So a red sky at night in the west would confirm that any bad weather is heading away and the next day should be fine.
New Testament References
In the New Testament, Jesus speaks of looking for signs in nature to predict coming weather:
“He replied, ‘When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.'” (Matthew 16:2-3)
While not mentioning sailors specifically, this passage conveys accurately reading the signs in the sky to forecast the weather for the next day. A red sky at night means fair weather is coming, while a red sky in the morning means storms are approaching.
Where the Rhyme Comes From
The origins of the rhyme are not Biblical, but trace back to weather folklore and rhyming sayings from the 16th and 17th centuries. Early versions included:
– “Evening red and morning grey, help the traveler on his way. Evening grey and morning red bring down rain upon his head.” (1546)
– “The ruddy morn foretells of a perlous day.” (1640s)
– “If it rains on Sunday before Mass, it will rain all week more or less.” (1656)
These rhymes may have drawn in part from Biblical principles, but became pithy folk sayings passed down through generations. The earliest known record of the sailors’ delight rhyme in close to its current form is from 1716:
“An evening red, and a morning grey, Is a sailor’s sure delight.”
The rhyme grew popular as it concisely summed up weather wisdom useful for sailors planning voyages and other travels by sea or land.
Scientific Basis
While not official meteorology, the sayings about morning and evening skies do have a scientific basis. Red sunrises and sunsets are caused by the scattering of more blue light by moisture droplets or particles in the atmosphere, leaving more red light to come through. These conditions often accompany weather fronts and storms.
So a red sky at night means any wet weather is moving away, allowing more red light from the setting sun to shine through. A red sky in the morning conversely means wet weather is approaching from the west, with more moisture scattering blue light to create a reddish sunrise.
Relevance for Sailors
For sailors and fishermen working offshore, reading the sky accurately could be crucial. Knowing bad weather was coming would influence plans to head out to sea or seek shelter. A red sky at night confirming fair weather on the way would be a delight.
Some examples of how this rhyme would be relevant for sailors:
- Seeing a red sky while near the coast would reassure them it was safe to head out for the night’s fishing.
- A red sky in the morning might make sailors delay departure from port to avoid being caught in a storm.
- If already at sea, a red morning sky would prompt caution and preparation to ride out an oncoming storm.
Having this simple visual indicator from the sky could help mariners interpret local conditions and make wise plans accordingly.
Limitations
While useful general guidance, the rhyme is not foolproof forecasting. Some limitations include:
- Other weather factors like wind, pressure, and humidity also affect conditions.
- Local geography can influence weather patterns.
- Clear skies with no red can also mean fair or stormy weather.
- Morning/evening timeframes are vague – how long does the forecast last?
Modern meteorology using satellites, radars, and computer models provides more reliable and nuanced forecasting. But the general principle of a red night sky signaling good weather ahead still has merit.
Conclusion
In summary, while the exact “red sky at night, sailors’ delight” rhyme is not in the Bible, there are verses in Job and Matthew that describe how the sky’s appearance can foretell coming weather. This idea developed into weather lore that became rhyming sayings passed down over time. The rhyme would have offered simple guidance to mariners planning voyages based on expected conditions. While imprecise compared to modern forecasting, watching for a red sky at night or morning can still give a general idea of fair or foul weather in store.
References
The Holy Bible, New International Version. Biblica, Inc. 2011.
Lee, Jeffrey. “‘Red sky at night’: The science behind the adage.” EarthSky. 15 August 2018. https://earthsky.org/earth/science-behind-red-sunsets-sunrises/
Lynch, Jack. “Red sky at night: The science behind beautiful sunsets and sunrises explained.” Irish Examiner. 2 September 2018. https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/arid-30362633.html
Met Office. “Red sky at night shepherds delight – how accurate is the saying?” Met Office. https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/learn-about/weather/red-sky-at-night
Snider, Annie. “Where Did the Saying ‘Red Sky at Morning’ Come From?” Farmers’ Almanac. https://www.almanac.com/origin-red-sky-morning-saying