23/09/2025
Hope, new beginnings, and divine promises 🌈
I walked out to find this breathtaking sight. Do you know the cultural beliefs, myths and folklore of rainbows? How is it that we are so eager to accept some but refuse others… I’m sure there are many more, but here are a few.
Divine and Mythological Significance-
Bridges to the Heavens: Many cultures, including the Greeks and Norse, viewed the rainbow as a bridge connecting the mortal world to the divine realm.
Messengers: In Greek mythology, the goddess Iris personified the rainbow and served as a messenger between the gods and humans.
Promises and Covenants: The rainbow is a sacred sign in Judaism and Christianity, signifying God’s covenant with humanity to never again flood the earth.
Serpent Deities: Some Australian Aboriginal cultures, like the Walmadjari people, feature the Rainbow Serpent, a significant figure in their myths and folklore.
Symbols of Hope and Guidance -
Hope and New Beginnings: The rainbow’s appearance after a flood, as in the Noah story, symbolizes hope and a fresh start.
Spiritual Enlightenment: For Buddhists, a rainbow can represent the highest achievable spiritual state outside of nirvana.
Folklore and Cultural Beliefs -
Leprechaun Gold: In Irish folklore, the end of a rainbow is said to hide a leprechaun’s pot of gold.
Gender Change: In Bulgarian folklore, it’s believed that walking under a rainbow can cause a person to change their gender.
Bad Omens: Conversely, some cultures, particularly in Mesoamerica, regarded rainbows with fear and considered them bad omens.
Modern Symbolism -
Pride and Inclusivity: The rainbow flag, created in 1978, is an internationally recognized symbol of LGBTQ+ pride, hope, and solidarity.
Unity and Peace: The “Whirling Rainbow Prophecy” suggests a future where all cultures live in peace, uniting to create a utopian world.
