Rainbows are biblical images reminding us of God’s everlasting love. A friend of mine, “Roy G Biv,” taught me the colors of the rainbow. The Greek epic poet Homer, in a decidedly unpoetic manner, believed that rainbows were made of a single color: purple. During the Renaissance, it was decided that, no, there were four colors: red, blue, green, and yellow. By the 17th century, western thinkers had agreed upon five colors: red, yellow, green, blue, and purple. In 1666, Isaac Newton added indigo and orange to give us the seven-colored “Roy G. Biv” that many know and love today.
However, in China, rainbows are considered to contain just five colors. Before we blame the Chinese government on this stance, the truth is, there is no set number of colors in a rainbow! Each hue blends into the next without a hard boundary, leaving the interpretation up to the person who sees it and the culture that has defined it. What you see, is not necessarily what I see!
As we return to in-person worship, you may see something I do not. If you have suggestions, concerns, or joys, let us know the view from your angle. Just like rainbows symbolize love, how can we reach out with God’s love for all people? You see, you and I have a rainbow connection.
Shalom, Paul
How many colors are in a rainbow?
