- A dream about a rainbow is traditionally read as hope, happiness and affairs taking a more promising turn.
- Miller’s dream book (1901) calls it a prognostic of unusual happenings, much happiness for lovers, and unconditional success if it hangs low over green trees.
- Folk tradition in many cultures treats the rainbow as a bridge or a sign of peace after a storm.
- Psychology reads a rainbow as relief and renewed hope after a period of stress or loss.
- Dream interpretation is a tradition of reading symbols and does not predict events.
What does it mean to dream about a rainbow?
Few dream images are read as kindly as the rainbow. Miller (1901) writes that it is prognostic of unusual happenings, that affairs will assume a more promising countenance and crops promise a plentiful yield, that for lovers it is an omen of much happiness from their union, and that a rainbow hanging low over green trees signifies unconditional success in any undertaking. Folk tradition adds that a rainbow after rain means trouble is over, a double rainbow means a double blessing, and a rainbow bridge links one world to another, or the living to those who are gone.
Three ways to read a dream about rainbow
| Reading | Who says it | What the dream is taken to mean | Based on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dream books | Folk tradition, Miller (1901) | Few dream images are read as kindly as the rainbow. Miller (1901) writes that it is prognostic of unusual happenings, that affairs will assume a more promising countenance and crops promise a plentiful yield, that for lovers it is an omen of much happiness from their union, and that a rainbow hanging low over green trees signifies unconditional success in any undertaking. Folk tradition adds that a rainbow after rain means trouble is over, a double rainbow means a double blessing, and a rainbow bridge links one world to another, or the living to those who are gone. | Custom |
| Psychology | Freud, Jung and later authors | Psychologists see the rainbow as an image of relief: light coming through after weather. It often appears after a period of strain, grief or uncertainty, and expresses the hope that the difficulty is passing. Because it needs both rain and sun, it can also stand for accepting that sadness and joy exist together. Jungian writers note its arch as a symbol of connection between opposites, sky and earth, conscious and unconscious. The pleasant mood on waking is the part to take most seriously. | Clinical interpretation |
| Sleep research | Sleep laboratories, surveys | Dream content studies find that unpleasant emotions and threats are reported more often than gentle scenes, so a rainbow dream is comparatively uncommon. Dream imagery is also drawn from waking experience, and the continuity hypothesis suggests that rainbows seen recently, in a photo, a flag or a walk after rain, are likely sources. Researchers note that colour is present in most dreams, though some people report mostly muted tones, so vivid colour in a rainbow dream may feel unusually memorable. | Measurements and surveys |
Rainbow in the dream books
What each source says, in its own terms. Dream books are quoted as tradition, not as fact.
To see a rainbow in a dream is prognostic of unusual happenings. Affairs will assume a more promising countenance, and crops will give promise of a plentiful yield. For lovers to see the rainbow is an omen of much happiness from their union. To see the rainbow hanging low over green trees signifies unconditional success in any undertaking.
A rainbow after rain means trouble is over and peace returns. A double rainbow means a double blessing. A rainbow over the house means harmony in the family.
Rainbow dream meaning, by variation
The details change the reading.
| In the dream | Traditional reading | Psychological reading |
|---|---|---|
| Seeing a rainbow in the sky | Hope and a promising turn of affairs (Miller) | Relief after strain; hope returning |
| Double rainbow | A double blessing or a special sign | Strong reassurance; two sources of hope |
| Rainbow after a storm | Trouble is over | Recovery after a hard period |
| Rainbow over green trees | Unconditional success (Miller) | Growth and optimism in a new venture |
| Rainbow for lovers | Much happiness from their union (Miller) | A wish for harmony in a relationship |
| Walking on or crossing a rainbow | A passage to a better state | A transition you hope will be smooth |
| Rainbow fading away | A hope that slips | Fear that good times will not last |
| Rainbow colours, vivid or dull | Bright colours mean joy; faded ones, caution | Your mood tone rather than a message |
When in the night do such dreams happen?
Vivid, story-like dreams happen mostly in REM sleep. REM periods are short early in the night and get longer toward morning, which is why a dream like this is often the last thing before waking.
Spiritual meaning of rainbow in a dream
Spiritual writers across traditions treat the rainbow as a covenant or a bridge: a sign of peace after a storm in the biblical story, a path between worlds in Norse tales, a link of the seven colours with the energy centres in modern esoteric teaching. In this reading a rainbow dream is a reassurance, a reminder that difficulty has an end and that light holds many colours. They suggest noticing which colour stood out, as a pointer to the feeling that needs attention.
What difficult period in my life may be easing, and have I noticed it?
Which colour in the dream stood out, and what does it remind me of?
Where am I allowing hope back in, or still holding it at arm's length?
Questions people ask
What does it mean to dream about a rainbow?
Miller reads it as a promise of unusual, favourable happenings and happiness for lovers. Folk tradition sees peace after storm. Psychology reads hope and relief after strain. It is among the kindest images in dream books.
Is dreaming of a rainbow a good sign?
Dream books call it one of the best. There is no evidence that dreams predict events, but the pleasant feeling is meaningful: it often marks relief or renewed hope in your own life.
What does a double rainbow mean in a dream?
Folk tradition reads it as a double blessing or an especially strong sign. Psychologically it can mean two sources of reassurance. It is a vivid image, so it is often remembered for a long time.
What does a rainbow after rain mean in a dream?
Traditionally that trouble is over and peace returns. Psychologically it mirrors the sequence of strain followed by relief, and can follow a period of sadness or uncertainty.
What do rainbow colours mean in a dream?
Folk books say bright colours mean joy and faded ones caution. Esoteric writers connect the seven colours with the body's energy centres. A psychological reading looks at which colour stood out and what it reminds you of.
Why are rainbow dreams rare?
Dream research finds threats and negative emotions more common than gentle, pleasant images. A rainbow usually comes from a recent real sighting, a picture or a hopeful mood, which is why it feels special.
- Miller G. H. Ten Thousand Dreams Interpreted, 1901
- Jung C. G. Man and His Symbols, 1964
- Hall C. S., Van de Castle R. L. The Content Analysis of Dreams, 1966
- Schredl M. Dream content analysis: basic principles. International Journal of Dream Research, 2010
- Folk dream books
Each symbol page sets three readings side by side and names where each one comes from. Dream books are quoted as tradition. Last reviewed on the date in the header.