I see a rainbow...

Be thou the rainbow in the storms of life. The evening beam that smiles the clouds away, and tints tomorrow with prophetic ray. - Lord Byron

The rainbow. Such a beautiful sight! Nature’s originality at its best when light and water meets in the sky. Man had tried to match its hues and had been inspired to integrate it in art but what object can compete with the rainbow? What creative art can bring out its essence to life? A combination of colours born out of a single drop of water, the rainbow signifies renewed hope and luck.

These colours reflect different moods. If green is more prominent it means abundance while red is linked with war and yellow with death. It signifies different aspects in life for the communities. The rainbow is Iris’ creation for the Greeks. She who is Hera’s personal messenger formed this magical bridge between heaven and earth so that the mortals will be linked with the Gods.

The Chinese believe that the goddess Nuwa created the rainbow by using stones of five different colours while the Hindus have termed it as Indradhanus meaning the bow of Indra, the god of lightning, thunder and rain. In other parts of India it is named Kamanabillu meaning the bow of Kama, the god of love. Arabs too judge the rainbow as an instrument linked with the gods. According to their belief it is the bow of god Quzah, the god of war.

Does this mean that the rainbow has a divine touch? Is it a path to heaven for those of less fortune? Northeaster Siberians recognize the rainbow as a the tongue of the sun. It become the bridge between the living and the dead in some tribal cultures. If this colourful strip much like a ribbon is seen over the ocean, it means that good fortune is on store for those who see it.

Several folktales are connected with this stunning creation. Finding a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow originated from Europe. It is believed that angels put the gold there and that only a nude man can obtain the prize! Even stranger is the sentiment that a man can transform into a woman or vice versa once he or she had walked under the rainbow’s arch and come out of the other side.

It was nearly dusk. At last the sun peeps from behind a few clouds. Soon darkness will descend. The thunder showers have passed, splattering huge drops like hails on a the earth’s scanted surface. I watched the storm break as tears fell, mingling into the rain. Now no one can part them – the rain and my tears.

The torrent passed washing out the tears. A speck of sunlight peered through the curtain of clouds.

It was somber but enough to dispel the tear stained water. I look up and see the faint outline of colours. I see a rainbow, the multicoloured arc which demotes peace, happiness and hope. I have weathered the storm. I do not regret heeding the storm because you need both the sun and the rain to make the colours of the rainbow appear.

Shehara