Few agnostics and believers would disagree that the rainbow is enchantingly and mesmerizingly beautiful to the naked eye.

To faithful believers, the rainbow reminds them of its spiritual connection to their existence — it’s more than just a pretty arc of color.

A rainbow, which doesn’t exist in any particular part of the sky, is an intangible interaction between the natural world and our eyes and brains. No two people see or experience the same rainbow in their mind’s eye.

While there is a tension between poetry/beauty and science/physics, that unease shouldn’t destroy the wonder (“magic”) of the rainbow vis-à-vis its technical side (“math/geometry/science”). More often than not, science helps us better appreciate nature’s beauty.

The Magic and Math of Rainbows

Below are four tanka that imperfectly capture the many perspectives on a rainbow.

That God established the rainbow as the sign of His covenant with Noah (and all living creatures) after the flood comes from Genesis 9:13:

“I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.”

Nearby verses (12, 15–16) reveal that God promises never again to destroy all life on earth with a flood.

The rainbow serves as the visible sign and token of that covenant and reminds Him of His promise.

Poetically & wonderfully yours

© Yan Kow Cheong, July 1, 2026