The Double Rainbow

From: Yeeming

On Sunday 27 March 2011, at about 6.45pm - 7.15pm, many people from my Facebook and Twitter lists as well as online, saw a beautiful double rainbow all across Singapore. It was a huge arc.  I did not notice the rainbow. I had, however, around that time, just completed the Tara Puja in Amitabha Buddhist Centre. So when I saw all the photos of the rainbow being posted online, I was very happy.  To me, I consider rainbows, and even more so, double rainbows, as extremely auspicious, especially after a puja. Just like when there is a slight rain during/after the puja, rainbows too are auspicious and is a form of blessings. Thank you, Mother Tara!

Here are more sightings of the auspicious rainbow!

From: James Wong

From: Jangchub Monlam

From: Amy Chen

From: Josete

From: Patricia Lee

From: PC Wong (Stomp)

From: theonlinecitizen

From: Manfred

From: Novelisa

From: @CalvinTimo

From: Melvin

What is the significance of double rainbow? Some say the rainbow is a celestial celebration of sky deities that inhabit the pure lands of the heavens, others say the sight of rainbows bring wealth, success and abundance.

According to Feng Shui writer Lillian Too, a double rainbow is a sign from the cosmic Universe that you are about to have something great fall into your lap, and that one good thing will lead to another.

The Osho Energy Transformation Institute says a double rainbow is the symbol of transformation.

According to Khandro.net, although rainbows are often explained as the bridge from the realm of the gods to the earth, more often, they are seen as a kind of omen.  As a sign from heaven, they are interpreted in a variety of ways: a portent of impending war or conversely, a seal of the Creator's promise not to destroy the land in another global flood.  

Green Tara's head emanates a rainbow aureole,
her body is made of green light, transparent like
a rainbow..... Green Tara (绿度母) is arisen from the
compassionate tears of Avalokiteshvara (Kuan Yin) 

For Buddhists, the rainbow recalls the Prajnaparamita teaching on the Emptiness of Form. These striking atmospheric manifestations that occur at transitional times of the year, or of changing weather, are also understood in Tibetan Buddhism as indications of blessings from the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, dakinis or deities.  

To Tibetan Buddhists, the appearance of rainbows also has a spiritual meaning as it marks either the passing on of a wise sage, a special yogi or spiritual master; or it foretells the birth of a significant reincarnation. Indeed, the passing on of high lamas – enlightened masters – is often accompanied by the appearance of beautiful rainbows in the skies. Likewise, when a special reincarnate child is born, rainbows often appear as a sign in the skies.

Sometimes just the presence of a highly realized yogi or spiritual master near a particularly sacred place is enough to create the appearance of rainbows. :)