There’s more than just a pot of gold behind rainbows in Ireland (2024)

FAQs

What is the Irish myth about rainbows? ›

In Irish legend Leprechauns bury pots of gold at the end of the rainbow, but since a rainbow can only be seen at a distance, the gold is forever illusive. In Greek and Roman mythology, Iris the goddess of the rainbow was one of the messengers of the gods.

Folklore depicts leprechauns as mistrustful creatures who detest humans. According to legend, leprechauns found the abandoned gold and buried it again so no human could ever find it. The old folktales tell us that there is a pot of gold hidden where the end of any rainbow touches the earth.

something that will be very difficult to achieve in reality, although you dream of getting it.

The leprechauns are said to keep their gold in a large black pot and they hide it very well. Legend has it if you actually catch the stealthy leprechaun, you can force them to tell you where they hid their gold. This is usually at the end of a rainbow. Finding that is just as difficult as catching a leprechaun!

For every storm a rainbow, for every tear a smile, for every care a promise and a blessing in each trial. For every problem life sends, a faithful friend to share, for every sigh a sweet song and an answer for each prayer.

“In Rainbows” is a meditation on love, life and death that follows a loose story arc. From the playful opener “15 Step,” it is clear the narrator is struggling with failing relationships and the terrifying inevitability of death. But its punchy drum machines and warm guitar tones ooze life, begging to be danced to.

We've all heard of the old Irish saying to follow the rainbow and find the “pot of gold.” The rainbow was often interpreted as a promise of good luck, abundance a sign to follow the heart's desire or follow your dreams.

Finding the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow can also be used to talk about actual money. When we use it this way, we usually mean that wealth has come suddenly. It means you have come into a huge windfall – which means a lot of money!

They argue and boast about their individual qualities and significance. However, they eventually realize that each of them has a unique role and that they are most beautiful when they come together to form a rainbow. This story teaches the value of unity in diversity and the importance of cooperation and harmony.

"May you have all the happiness and luck that life can hold—and at the end of your rainbows ay you find a pot of gold."

Who said there is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow? ›

The leprechaun then chides them for being selfish, saying, “For this, I will not grant any wish of yours. But, since you are in need, I will give you a hint. I have hidden a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. All you have to do is find it.”

The most well-known origin story of the leprechaun's pot of gold at the end of the rainbow involves a couple of poor farmers in Ireland. When this husband and wife pulled their very last carrot out of their garden, they found a leprechaun dangling from the roots.

You may already know that there is no “end” of a rainbow — science tells us that their arch shape is simply an illusion. In reality, while those of us on the ground can only see the light reflected by raindrops above the horizon, viewers in aircraft can sometimes see a rainbow's full, 360-degree circle.

At the end of a rainbow, there is no physical object or pot of gold, contrary to popular belief. A rainbow is an optical illusion created by the refraction and reflection of sunlight through raindrops, and its position relative to the observer can change depending on their perspective.

They are usually depicted as little bearded men, wearing a coat and hat, who partake in mischief. In later times, they have been depicted as shoe-makers who have a hidden pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

In Greek mythology, the goddess Iris personifies the rainbow. In many stories, such as the Iliad, she carries messages from the gods to the human world, thus forming a link between heaven and earth. Iris's messages often concerned war and retribution.

As a goddess, Iris is associated with communication, messages, the rainbow, and new endeavors. This personification of a rainbow was once described as being a link to the heavens and earth. In some texts she is depicted wearing a coat of many colors.

Here in Ireland, our weather is often under the influence of low pressure. Associated with low pressure is rising air giving us the much used, cliche sounding "sunshine and showers". This very common feature of our weather is why we get plenty of rainbows!

Culture and mythology

The first literary occurrence of a rainbow is in the Book of Genesis chapter 9, as part of the flood story of Noah, where it is a sign of God's covenant to never destroy all life on Earth with a global flood again.