Have you ever wondered what is the meaning of the 7 colors of the rainbow? The first thing you have to know is that the rainbow is one of the most beautiful phenomena that exist. In addition, it has a great importance in different religions and cultures according to its colors.
The meaning of the 7 colors of the rainbow can vary, depending on the cultural and religious context. Similarly, each of its seven colors represents something specific, such as spirituality.
What meaning does the rainbow have in religions and cultures?
In general, a rainbow appears after the passage of rain, it is produced when sunlight manages to pass through the rain and is subsequently refracted. As a result, this creates a beautiful optical effect known as a rainbow.
However, there are times when these conditions occur and even so, the phenomenon does not occur. Being one of the main reasons why the rainbow is considered special and important in various cultures and religions.
The meaning of the 7 colors of the rainbow, according to different cultures and religions, is as follows:
native american culture
Depending on the Native American culture, the importance and meaning of the 7 colors of the rainbow, or the phenomenon itself, varies by tribe. In fact, a large part of the tribes considered the rainbow a kind of bridge that made a connection between the human and spiritual worlds. So much so, that for several years, many tribes have called it the “rainbow bridge”.
Also, for other tribes, these beautiful colors that formed an arch in the sky, represented the goddesses of healing. In the case of the Cherokee Indians, the rainbow symbolized the hem of the cloak belonging to the sun god.
the mayans
In the case of the Mayans, their belief regarding the rainbow was very similar to that of the Christians. The meaning of the 7 colors of the rainbow in the Mayan culture is quite interesting. After the destruction of the world due to an incessant rain of fire, the appearance of the rainbow indicated that the anger of the gods had passed.
Islam
Now, there are some religions or cultures whose belief in the rainbow is reflected in the elements and even the directions of the earth. This is the case of Islam, a religion that instead of seven, only recognizes four colors in the rainbow. These are blue, green, red and yellow, tones that correspond to the four elements that are: water, air, fire and earth.
Buddhists
For Buddhists, the meaning of the 7 colors of the rainbow has to do with the number of continents on earth, which are also seven.
ancient arabs
Beyond the seven colors, the culture of the ancient Arabs believed that the rainbow was a gift delivered by the wind coming from the south.
Irish culture
As we have mentioned so far, in most cultures, the presence of a rainbow represented good luck or gifts bestowed by the gods. However, the meaning of the 7 colors of the rainbow in Irish culture is somewhat different and also one of the best known. Since this beautiful phenomenon in the sky is related to leprechauns and pots full of gold.
For many years, many people have believed that at the end of a rainbow there is a pot full of gold that belongs to the leprechauns. This belief has been carried into books and movies, especially in the children’s genre.
Poland
In Polish culture, the meaning of the 7 colors of the rainbow is very similar to that of Polish culture. However, in the first, the pot of gold belongs to the goblins, while in the second, the gold is a gift from the angels.
Roman culture
There are already many cultures in which the rainbow meaning is the representation of paths, messages and even messengers. Roman culture is a clear example of this, since according to the Romans, the rainbow was a path used by Mercury, a well-known messenger god.
nordic tradition
For its part, in the Nordic tradition they consider the rainbow a bridge or path that not everyone could cross. Since its access was only allowed for the gods, royals or fallen warriors of renown.
Other meanings of the 7 colors of the rainbow, according to culture and religion
Although in many religions and cultures, the rainbow symbolizes something positive, in others it can be the opposite. For example, there are cultures where the appearance of a rainbow is directly related to demons and dark entities.
In countries like Nicaragua, people believed that these phenomena represented the figure of the devil. Therefore, if someone saw the rainbow, it could cause a curse to fall on them. In the same way, the Amazonian culture the rainbow was linked to evil spirits, evil entities that caused diseases and even abortions.
What is the meaning of the 7 colors of the rainbow?
While it is true that the rainbow is very important to many human cultures and religions, each color means something in particular. Below we show you the meaning of the 7 colors of the rainbow, each one separately.
Red
It is the first color that can be seen forming the rainbow, being one of the reasons why its wavelength is greater than the rest. The meaning of the color red in Christianity refers to the archangel Uriel. While in religions such as modern Hinduism and Buddhism, this color represents the Muladhara chakra. Known for being the first chakra that allows the connection of human beings with the physical plane.
Orange
The second color of the rainbow is orange, being a combination between red and yellow, the colors that are before and after it. It symbolizes the ability and creativity of people to enjoy themselves. It is also the color of Swadhisthana, the good energy that is related to sexuality and fertility.
Yellow
The next color is yellow, associated with the archangel Jophiel, which is a symbol of the splendor of thoughts and wisdom. Also, in the rainbow, yellow symbolizes the radiance emitted by the sun. When it comes to the chakras, the third color of the rainbow represents Manipura, a chakra that is the center of power and ego of men.
Green
Next, it is the turn of the fourth color, in this case, green, a tone that is related to the archangel Raphael, used for healing. In the rainbow, this color is the symbol of abundance, love and health. It represents the Anahata, the chakra that corresponds to the heart, a place that is responsible for processing the ability to receive and give love.
Blue
After green, the next color in the rainbow is blue, this time linked to the archangel Michael. This spirit is known for being the one who directs the rest of the archangels, it also symbolizes spirituality. He also represents the connection between the spirit world and water. While in the chakra system, blue is the representation of Vishudda, the throat chakra and also the one that grants the ability to communicate in a pure way.
Indigo
It is color number six of the rainbow, indigo is the representation of the bridge or path that serves to connect the conscious world with the subconscious. Regarding the chakra system, the indigo color represents the Ajna, a chakra whose symbol is the third eye. This represents the ability to observe everything that cannot be seen in the spiritual realm.
Violet
Finally, there is violet, a color that represents the archangel Zadquiel who, in turn, is the symbol of compassion. The seventh color symbolizes the entrance to divine inspiration and imagination, in addition, it is the combination between red and blue. In the chakra system, violet is the Sahasrara, the point where the consciousness of humans has connection with divine consciousness and spirituality.
As you can see, the meaning of the 7 colors of the rainbow goes beyond a simple phenomenon that is usually appreciated only for being unique and beautiful.
Sources: Colorpsychology, Color Psychology, Bio Green.