Myths and Legends of the Rainbow

One of Earth’s most beautiful phenomenon is considered the rainbow because it’s one of our own spectacular and natural light shows that can be seen around the world. Are you familiar with the myths and legends of the rainbow?

A rainbow can be present where there is water, sun and the critical 40 - 42 degree angle. Sunlight is seen as white light but it contains the visible colors of the spectrum and can be seen in their order in a rainbow , as follows ;

– Red – Orange – Yellow – Green – Blue – Indigo – Violet –

A view of the rainbow can be seen when sunlight passes through water droplets breaking the white light into their respective wavelengths then reassembling, to form a rainbow. This can be seen in the atmosphere, a fountain, water falls, a hose, seawater, mist, spray, and dew as long as one is standing between the rain and the sun - with the sun behind you.

Other times, we see only one rainbow which is called the primary but sometimes we get to see two rainbows. The primary bow will have the colors in their order whereas the second bow will be in reverse and somewhat fainter due to a double reflection.  These are not the only types of rainbows known but one of the most popular.

A easy method to remember the order of colors can be use of simple mnemonics or acronyms such as, ‘Roy G. Biv’ or ‘ Rolling On Your Green Bike Increases Verily’. Alright, it isn’t a very original grouping of words but am sure you get the idea. A easy lesson to teach our children or others to remember maybe for science class? See what you can come up with on your own or with friends.

A legend is defined as ‘a story relating to a people’s past and usually glorifies a hero, saint, great event, etc. and may contain a element of fact or be wholly untrue’ (Gage Cdn Dictionary ). A few myths and legends related to the rainbow that developed from a few cultures, are as follows ;

Germany - A rainbow that doesn’t appear for forty years signifies the end of the world.

N. American Indians - A rainbow is considered a daylight ‘Path of Souls’.

Japan - A floating bridge of Heaven.

Hawaii and Polynesia - Path to the Upper world

Norse - A bridge that connects the homes of gods and humans.

New Zealand - Entry to the afterlife.

Indo-Europeans - the base or pointing to highest point of a rainbow would bring death.

Irish - a pot of gold at base of the rainbow protected by a mischievous Leprechaun.

Australia Aborigines - Rainbow Serpent, creator of water, punishes those that break laws and lives under the waterfall.

Greek - path between Heaven and Earth, realm to the Gods.

Hindu - Bow, God of thunder, lightening and rain or of Love.

The rainbow has obviously been seen as a wonder to many cultures and their symbolism a near universal sense of same expressions or ideas. Studies in the science fields of meteorology courses and weather have provided us the facts behind the rainbow but cannot take the beauty away of such a beautiful sight for you, me and our children.

The colors of the rainbow are also used by the LGBT community for the Gay Pride parades. There is even a patent to create a mechanical device devoted to creating a rainbow. Science into art, imagine that.

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Article(C)2010 Dame Scribe, all rights reserved. Dame Scribe creates articles and posts online. She creates articles on business skills & development, health, science, technology and society and has a strong passion for writing.