RAINBOWTRUST

A natural spectrum · light, water, and wonder

🌦️ What is it?

A rainbow is a meteorological phenomenon caused by reflection, refraction, and dispersion of light in water droplets. It appears as a multicoloured circular arc.

Consists of: sunlight, raindrops, and your viewing angle.

☀️ Sunlight (white light)
💧 Water droplets (prisms)
👁️ Observer position (42° angle)

🎨 How many colors?

7 main colors (Roy G. Biv):

Red Orange Yellow Green Blue Indigo Violet

But the spectrum is continuous — there are infinite hues.

🌀 Why does it have that shape?

A rainbow is a full circle of light, but we usually see only an arc because the ground blocks the lower half. The 42° angle between the sun, droplet, and your eye creates that perfect circular geometry. The arc appears because only droplets at that specific angle send light to your eye.

🌐 full circle 📐 42° angle 💧 droplet prism

📖 Known fables about rainbows

Every culture has woven stories around the arc of light.

🇮🇪 Irish legend

At the end of every rainbow lies a pot of gold guarded by a leprechaun. If you catch one, they must grant you three wishes — but they are clever tricksters.

🍀 Celtic mythology

🌏 Norse myth

The rainbow is Bifröst, a burning bridge that connects Midgard (Earth) to Asgard (realm of the gods). It was used by the Æsir to travel between worlds.

⚡ Viking / Norse

🇦🇺 Aboriginal dreamtime

The Rainbow Serpent (Yurlunggur) is a powerful creator being. It shaped the land, created waterholes, and brought life — but could also cause floods if angered.

🌀 Australian Aboriginal

🇬🇷 Greek myth

Iris, the goddess of the rainbow, was a messenger between gods and mortals. She travelled on the rainbow and delivered divine messages, often with a golden pitcher of water.

🏛️ Ancient Greece

🇯🇵 Japanese folklore

In some stories, the rainbow is a bridge that connects the heavens and the earth. It is seen as a sign of good fortune and a path for spirits.

⛩️ Shinto / Japanese

🌿 Amazonian myth

Some indigenous tribes believe the rainbow is a giant snake that drinks water from rivers. Seeing a rainbow is a warning to be careful near water.

🐍 Amazon basin

⏰ When to see?

🌤️ After rain showers, with sun behind you.
🌅 Early morning or late afternoon (low sun).
💦 Near waterfalls, fountains, or spray.
❄️ Occasionally in winter with ice crystals.

💡 Advices & Actions

🔆 Face away from the sun.
🌊 Look toward rain or mist.
📱 Use polarized sunglasses to enhance contrast.
📸 Shoot with a wide-angle lens.

🌍 Where are rainbows rare & where common?

🏜️ Rare

✅ Deserts (Sahara, Atacama)
✅ Polar regions (low moisture)
✅ Arid inland areas

Rain is scarce, so rainbows are infrequent.

🌧️ Often seen

✅ Tropical rainforests
✅ Hawaii, New Zealand
✅ Afternoon showers (Florida, Caribbean)
✅ Mountainous regions with frequent rain

High humidity & regular rain = more rainbows.

❓ FAQ

Can you touch a rainbow?

No, a rainbow is not a physical object. It’s an optical illusion — you can never reach it; it moves as you move.

Why is it curved?

Because the 42° angle forms a circle around the antisolar point. The ground cuts off the bottom half, making an arc.

Is a double rainbow real?

Yes! The secondary rainbow is fainter, with reversed colors, caused by two internal reflections inside water droplets.

Why are there only 7 colors?

Sir Isaac Newton identified 7 for simplicity (to match the musical scale). The spectrum is continuous — there are infinitely many colors.

Can rainbows appear at night?

Yes — they are called moonbows. They are rare and appear when moonlight is bright enough.

🌟 Your rainbow action: Next time it rains, turn your back to the sun and look for magic.

🌈 Seek the Arc