All of us love rainbows, who doesn’t appreciate that arc of beautiful colors adorning the skies? Rainbows don’t show up everyday, but when they do show up it feels like a sort of grace from the divine. Almost like a message coming to us from something greater than us. Well, what if that were true – what if there was a deeper meaning behind every rainbow? In this article, we’ll discuss the spiritual meaning of rainbows.
Do you believe that rainbows have a deeper meaning, dear reader? Try and remember the last time you saw one, did it strike a chord with you? You’re not alone if you’ve ever wondered this – and you’re not alone if you believe it does! People and cultures across the world have personal/sentimental or cultural significance attached to rainbows. Stay tuned and find out if your personal beliefs about rainbows match up with everyone else’s!
Are you a fan of the occult, magic or spirituality, dear reader? Maybe you simply saw the title of this article, and you want to know more? Yes, perhaps you’re just plain, old, harmlessly curious? Whatever the case, this is most certainly the article for you! So grab a cup of coffee, sit back, relax and most importantly, have fun!
Below:
- What does it mean when you see a rainbow?
- Spiritual meaning of seeing a rainbow – what does seeing a rainbow mean spiritually?
- Finding out what does a rainbow symbolize
- The spiritual significance of a rainbow
- And more…
Rainbow Spiritual Meaning and Interpretation
Spiritually, rainbows serve as a bridge between our physical and spiritual selves. A means for us to connect with and stay in touch with our non material existence. Calling you to embrace the spiritual aspect of self, and reflect upon your life. We advise you, dear reader to think about your problems. Take the time to connect with your emotions and to reconcile any unresolved feelings you may have.
Accepting this connection can help bring emotional peace as you come to accept even the most difficult struggles and traumas that you may have had. And with emotional peace, expect more calmness in your life. This lack of doubt and overthinking, can result in positivity and prosperity in your life. As you take strides in life without hesitation
Heavenly Guidance
A sign from the heavens to connect to the celestial realm. The heavens are guiding you to rid yourself of worldly fears and problems. Wash your troubles away and accept the spiritual guidance the heavens provide.Towering over us in the sky, high amongst the clouds, enticing us to look up in prayer.
Other Symbolisms
Aside from this, there are other beliefs and interpretations of the spiritual significance of rainbows. These are spread across various people and cultures around the world. Do you personally identify or recognize any of these interpretations? Maybe some of these are new to you – but we hope this touches your spirit and gives you a new appreciation for rainbows. Which one of these interpretations is your favorite, dear reader?
Good Fortune
Many cultures look at the rainbow and attribute it to many great things. People usually see rainbows as a symbol of prosperity and fertility. A more famous belief is the gold at the end of the rainbow – this Celtic folklore is famous world-wide and made the leprechaun a household name worldwide. We’ll talk more on that later, but for now remember that rainbows are synonymous with good luck! So if you see one, you may just have a better day in store.
A Better Day to Come
Speaking of better days, rainbows don’t just signify good fortune to come. It’s also a sort of comfort – especially since they accompany rainy days. If you’re going through tough times, consider a rainbow confirmation. Confirmation that relief is coming, and that you just have to hold on a little longer. On that note – we hope your days are full of rainbows!
Harmony and Friendship
This interpretation exists on the same note that rainbows refer to better days after bad ones. Rainbows are also a symbol of peace – they signify the end to war. On a more personal, emotional note, they can also refer to friendship. The end of arguments and reconciliation between friends and lovers. If you ever see a rainbow while having an argument with a friend, it is probably your cue to patch things up!
The Afterlife
Speaking of war, rainbows have a special place on a battleground or in a conflict. Whenever people saw a rainbow during or after a war, especially in ancient times? People believed this to have a connection to the deceased. Specifically, a rainbow was the visual proof that spirits of the fallen were moving to the afterlife. In most contexts, towards a paradise, heaven or nirvana.
A Link to the Divine
Aside from the afterlife, logically the same conclusion applies to the divine. Rainbows in many cultures, even modern religion consider it a sign of divine intervention, favor or presence. For instance, the Asgardians used Bifrost, a rainbow bridge to travel across the realms. Other examples include the rainbow as a covenant with God in Abrahamic religions. Some even think that the realm of the gods exists and you can travel there through the end of a rainbow.
Translucence and Enlightenment
Do you know that it’s impossible to see a rainbow in the dark? Sure, that’s probably because it’s sunlight that refracts into a prism. But there’s also a belief that rainbows are a representation of luminance – of light. Not just light, but enlightenment, and moving onto the next stage of enlightenment. Buddhism holds rainbows and their connection to light as a transitory phase between enlightenment and nirvana.
Interconnectedness… and the Number 7?
Funnily enough, the rainbow’s final spiritual interpretation has to do with its colors. Specifically, the number of colors – 7. Many spiritual cultures consider this as proof that the rainbow has spiritual significance, due to how significant the number 7 is across several spiritual beliefs. For instance, there are 7 chakras in your body. Additionally, the number 7 is present in many biblical contexts, such as the 7 days that God created the Earth.
Religion and the Rainbow
Rainbows have also taken a spiritual meaning and significance in many religious contexts. It’s not just ancient folklore and mythology that held the rainbow as a divine message. There are many modern-day religions that hold rainbows as something from or connecting to the divine. Do you identify with any of these modern religious beliefs?
Christianity and Abrahamic Religions
As discussed above, Christianity and many Abrahamic religions consider the rainbow significant. God used the rainbow to communicate to Noah that the flooding was over – and that he would never flood the Earth again. This was a covenant between god and man, and the rainbow has ever since been a symbol of god’s mercy and forgiveness. As well as, of course, his love for mankind and the honoring of his commitment.
Buddhism
We had a brief touch on Buddhism in the above section. But aside from representing the phase between enlightenment and Nirvana, the rainbow has a significance in Buddhist culture. Turning into the rainbow light also means learning all the different attributes necessary for Nirvana and enlightenment. Conveniently enough, each of these attributes correspond to the 7 colors of the rainbow in Buddhism! Mindfulness, investigation, energy, joy, relaxation, concentration and equanimity.
Historical and Cultural Significance of the Rainbow
Finally, there are several historical and cultural contexts that hold special significance for the rainbow. It’s true that these aren’t examples of any spiritual meaning of rainbows. But they are further proof that humanity has always held a deep connection and meaning for them. Is it truly a coincidence that so many cultures and peoples across so many periods of history held the rainbow sacred? How many of these do you already know, dear reader?
Nordic Beliefs
We touched on Asgard and Bifrost in Viking lore earlier on. Norse myth held a belief that the rainbow was a bridge that the gods used to move between worlds or realms. Bifrost is a rainbow bridge that the watcher of the gods, Heimdall watches over. This echoes several other mythologies that consider the rainbow as a gateway between worlds. Especially as a bridge to the afterlife.
Celtic Lore
An idea popularized by Celtic lore is the “pot of gold” at the end of the rainbow. In ancient Celtic lore, druids view rainbows as an effeminate power. Otherwise known to be the curve of the sky or also known as kambonemos. Curves in Celtic culture are seen as feminine due to its resemblance to the shape of a woman’s belly. Hence, it comes as no surprise that rainbows symbolize fertility and prosperity, perceived to bring luck and blessings in conception and pregnancy,
Greek Myth
The goddess Iris in ancient Greek culture is the personification of the rainbow. Iris is a golden winged messenger who connected the seas and the heavens. Rainbows connected worlds, a sort of passageway for the goddess. Symbolically, this is the marriage between heaven and earth. Seven has a cultural significance for the Greeks, the sum of three and four: three is the heavens and four is the earth
The Navajo Connection
In Native American folklore, we hear about the Navajo rainbow. It is a symbol of protection, a pathway to Yeis. Rainbows symbolize the unity of diverse Navajo tribes. The jagged shapes on their flag represent the mountains. A copper outline cutting through to represent dividing borders.
Chinese Interpretation
Similar to the Native Americans, the Chinese see the rainbow as a manifestation of a spirit animal. Based on Chinese mythology, the rainbow is illustrated with a double-headed dragon mediating between heaven and earth. Symbolizing hope and faith, one head hears out the prayers from the earth. While the other relays these messages to the heavens.
Japanese Culture
A myth in Japan portrays the rainbow as a floating celestial bridge. This bridge became a gateway for the divine ancestors, allowing them to descend from heaven to earth, forming land out of troubled waters. Hence, people associate them with creation and fertility – or birth and rebirth. In fact, Japanese folklore is chock-full of stories that feature rainbows. It’s no surprise that rainbows are an essential element in Japanese literature.
Australian Aboriginal Symbol
In Australian Aboriginal myth, they have a rainbow serpent that represents changes in seasons. The serpent dwells within bodies of water as it’s home. It therefore guards the water as its precious resource. Representing the importance and human reliance on water.
Modern Culture
LGBTQIA+ is internationally identifiable through the rainbow. Rainbow flags show their pride and solidarity as a social group. This flag was designed by Gilbert Baker in 1978, an artist and a gay rights activist. It was meant to symbolize hope and inclusivity for the community.
The Takeaway…
Regardless of your cultural or social background, the Rainbow is a positive sign. Whether it’s a spiritual connection to the heavens, or one that connects us to more earthly fortunes and blessings. Rainbows symbolize unity, blessing and fertility. Regardless of where you are, we hope that seeing a rainbow can bring a hopeful smile to your face.
