The Spiritual Meaning Of Rainbows + What It Means If You Keep Seeing Them

The sighting of a rainbow usually elicits feelings of awe, excitement, and joy, as well as magic. Because rainbows have several colors, they are considered a type of color symbolism.

Color symbolism is when a person or a culture assigns meaning to different colors. As Maggie Wilson, reiki master teacher and host of The Metaphysical AF Podcast, tells mindbodygreen, "Colors are symbolic for people because they influence everything from our moods to our decisions to even how we think."

That said, there are many meanings behind a rainbow, and the significance is often personal. After all, colors often mean different things for each person as well, explains Cat Rambo, a sacred medicine and dreamwork expert. "Because rainbows bring all the colors together, it overcomes the personal attachment to differences [in color] and is one of the reasons why rainbows are about love and acceptance," she says.

So you may be wondering, what does it mean when you see a rainbow? "Rainbows symbolize good luck, wellness, happiness, and health, [and] could indicate a positive shift in vibration and positive energy," notes celebrity psychic Deborah Graham.

Rainbows also represent integration and serve as reminders that all things act as one, according to Rambo. "It's about bringing together the spirit parts and choosing to find balance, harmony, and love," she notes. "When we do shadow work and dig into the unseen or rejected parts of ourselves, we bring them into the light; we integrate them."

And of course, given that they usually appear after a storm, rainbows are a sign of hope. As Rambo explains, "Rainbow is about what's on the other side of darkness," adding, "The message of the rainbow is inspiration to be in hope and joy because there are bright and beautiful times on the other side." 

Rainbows are typically considered to be positive signs. However, they can be affiliated with death and changes. "Rainbows have been associated with the death of pets as well as the death of soldiers in war," says Wilson.

Rainbows are often related to spirituality and serve as a sign of hope, new beginnings, and transformation. "The rainbow encourages spiritual growth and never stops seeking the end of the self," Wilson explains, adding, "The rainbow reminds us of the infinite possibilities that come with living in our magical world."

Symbols and meanings don't only appear while in the waking world—we can receive messages while in the dream state, too. When a rainbow appears in a dream, consider it an important message because these are usually rare but powerful moments, according to Wilson. 

When it comes to love, seeing a rainbow is a positive sign. "Rainbows are a symbol of love and following what the heart wants," Wilson says, adding, "For couples, rainbows signify happiness and joy for their future." A rainbow can also mean there's a soul mate connection on its way, or even a soul mate sending a message who has passed on, according to Graham.  

But love doesn't have to be with another person; love can be about the relationship we have with ourselves. Rainbows can represent acceptance and accepting others as who they are, Rambo notes. She adds that it is important "to accept yourself and acknowledge what it is that brings joy, hope, and inspiration to you—and focus on ourselves instead of relying on endless giving [to others]. 

As with any symbol, some people may be more drawn to rainbows than others. "A person's personality can absolutely influence whether they resonate with rainbows or not," says Wilson. "No two people will see the exact same rainbow…because of its different physical presence and it being an optical phenomenon it will appear different to each person."