Rainbows have a lot of connotations. To the ancient Greeks, they are a path between heaven and earth. To the Chinese, they’re slits in the sky sealed by a goddess. To some, they’re hiding places for a leprechaun’s pot of gold. To others, they’re a symbol of pride. And in Christianity, rainbows are a sign that God will never destroy us again... with a flood. Gotta love Him.
Here at Supreme, also, the rainbow makes up our logo. We are one with the many word-weavers before us, enamored by the beauty of this prism. “My Heart Leaps Up When I Behold the Rainbow” is the title of an 1802 William Wordsworth poem. And two centuries on, despite all the advances science has introduced, the great arcs in the sky remain sources of hope, happiness and wonder for all of us.
Perhaps it’s the notion that something so massive could converge above us. Perhaps it’s the idea that a whole spectrum — that a bevy of unique colors — could come together to form something so cohesive. Or maybe it’s the thought that the harsh sun could be tamed into such a gentle feast for our eyes.
Whatever it is, the colors of the rainbow put our existence into perspective. When we’re trudging on the ground, looking up for a silver lining, there is nothing as wonderful as a sky that says life could be so vibrant, too.
This could be why many cultures hold beliefs for each of the colors of the rainbow. In Buddhism, there is the concept of a “rainbow body” — the penultimate state of meditation in which matter is transformed into pure light. This signifies one’s awakening to the world’s collective knowledge, making it possible to achieve the state of Nirvana.
In the Taoist philosophy feng shui, the five elements are also known by their colors — earth is yellow or beige; fire is red, orange, purple or pink; water is black or blue; wood, brown or green; and metal is gray or white. These colors are keys to shifting the energy around us.
And in Hindu India, the Ayurvedic healers associate colors with seven main chakras — spiritual centers located along the spine. The chakras, they say, may become imbalanced, but by introducing specific colors, ailments can be cured. This has since evolved into a branch of alternative medicine called chromotherapy.
Of course, these beliefs may be wrong. But then again, we really should strive for harmony within the diversity around us. After all, this is the ultimate message of the rainbow. And using its seven colors could be but a jumping point for bigger, more Supreme things. Living is a search for rainbows, whether literally or figuratively.
Red
Red symbolizes achievement, wisdom, virtue, fortune and dignity. But in many cultures, it is associated with fire, and thus it can be both comforting and destructive. The color brings about energy in your career efforts, as well as recognition. Wear red to give you that extra boost. But, like fire, you must use the extra energy wisely.
Yellow
Yellow is considered to be as auspicious as red. While it represents warmth and motion, it may bring clarity, perception, understanding and cheerfulness. It is a symbol of humility and separation from society’s materialism. Use it with balance.
Orange
Orange is the combination of red and yellow. Thus, it contains both the fiery energy of red and the control of yellow. It may connote creativity, playfulness and equilibrium. Orange brings about concentration, and may be used when creative energy is dry. The color, therefore, gives us a well-rounded energy.
Green
Because green is in the middle of the rainbow’s spectrum, it epitomizes the qualities of balance and harmony. It is associated with youth, vigor, and action. It is also an expression of abundance, making it an ancient cure for wealth and prosperity. Some cultures use this color for luck. Wear this color to perk you up. But while prosperity is good, be wary of excess.
Blue
Blue represents ascension, the infinite, purity, and healing. This belief is also present in many other belief systems — blue is the color of the Egyptian diety Amun, the Sumerian Great Mother, the Greek god Zeus, and the Hindu Indra, Vishnu and Krishna. Of course, in Christianity, the Virgin Mary and Christ are often depicted in blue as well. Because it is the color of divinity, blue brings peace and understanding, and improves the flow of communication.
Indigo
It is said indigo amplifies blue profoundly, since it deepens blue’s energy. To some, it is the bridge between the finite and infinite. To them, indigo opens the subconscious, causes sudden awareness, intuition, and psychic abilities. Use this color to gain perspective, but don’t let this perspective fill your ego.
Violet
Violet is the highest, most subtle color in the spectrum. Thus, it may be viewed as both a completion of the rainbow, and a beginning of another energy scope. The color is associated with spiritual awareness, and is the key to universal identity. Some say it helps us align ourselves with the oneness of the universe — meaning, knowing we are powerful yet remaining modest. This may stem from the fact that violet is a combination of red and blue, taking the fortune of red and the purity of blue. In any case, the color sparks imagination and inspiration. It integrates other energies for healing purposes.