Rainbows

“My heart leaps up when I behold
A rainbow in the sky”                                                                                                                                                               … wrote William Wordsworth in the early 19th century. His sentiments are echoed by many even today. There has been numerous sightings of rainbows in Singapore in the last couple of months and what a pleasant way to end a year that has been torturous for many. 

Rainbows occur frequently in mythology and in the arts. One of the earliest references is in the story of Noah in the book of Genesis. There it is seen as a sign of God’s promise never to destroy all life on earth with a global flood again. There is a rainbow bridge in Norse mythology which connects the world of men and gods. A similar tale is found in Greek mythology. Iris, who is the female counterpart to the messenger god Hermes, would use her pitcher to scoop up water and bring it into the clouds in order to form a rainbow. Her rainbow then formed a bridge between Mount Olympus, where the gods and goddesses lived, and the earth. Colombians have a myth about a god of the rainbow to whom the people present gifts after the rain. And of course we are quite familiar with the Irish leprechaun’s secret hiding place for his pot of gold – at the end of the rainbow - as well as the evergreen rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” where all things are idyllic. 

The fact is it takes both sunshine and rain to make a rainbow. No matter how badly we want to forget 2020, we need to reflect on how the world has changed because of it. We have survived it, adapted and possibly come out better human beings, more resilient than ever to face another year ahead. 

Here’s wishing you a happy, healthy and mindful 2021 filled with rainbows!