• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

College Magazine

College Life, Dating, Career & Campus Advice

  • Colleges
    • College Guides
    • College Rankings
    • Campus Life
      • Academics
      • Dating
      • Freshman Year
      • Health
      • Social Change
      • Party
  • Majors
    • All Majors
    • Most Popular Majors
    • Choosing a Major
  • Intern
    • Internship Directory
    • How to Get an Internship
    • How to Write a Resume
    • How to Write a Cover Letter
    • How to Interview
    • How to Network
    • Career 101
    • Find Your Passion Career
  • Money
    • How to Make Money
    • How to Save Money
    • How to Get a Job
    • Credit Cards 101
    • FAFSA
    • Ramen Project
  • Travel
    • Study Abroad
    • College Spring Break
    • How to Travel Cheap
    • Things to Do
  • Shop
    • Writer Course
    • College Magazine Shop
    • Gift Guides
    • College Packing List
  • Find your college or university
  • Colleges
    • College Guides
    • College Rankings
    • Campus Life
      • Academics
      • Dating
      • Freshman Year
      • Health
      • Social Change
      • Party
  • Majors
    • All Majors
    • Most Popular Majors
    • Choosing a Major
  • Intern
    • Internship Directory
    • How to Get an Internship
    • How to Write a Resume
    • How to Write a Cover Letter
    • How to Interview
    • How to Network
    • Career 101
    • Find Your Passion Career
  • Money
    • How to Make Money
    • How to Save Money
    • How to Get a Job
    • Credit Cards 101
    • FAFSA
    • Ramen Project
  • Travel
    • Study Abroad
    • College Spring Break
    • How to Travel Cheap
    • Things to Do
  • Shop
    • Writer Course
    • College Magazine Shop
    • Gift Guides
    • College Packing List
  • Find your college or university
  • About Us
  • Team
  • Write
  • Apply
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sign Up
  • Advertise
  • My Account
  • Cart

You are here: Home / Life / Why Rainbows? Unveiling the Secret Behind the Rainbow Banners during the COVID-19 crisis

Why Rainbows? Unveiling the Secret Behind the Rainbow Banners during the COVID-19 crisis

April 17, 2020 //  by Gianluca Cetraro

Shares37FacebookTweet

When the coronavirus (COVID-19) impacted in Wuhan, China, nobody could imagine how drastically the world would change in three months. Gradually, most nations, if not all, suspended travel and any outside activity. Life as we know it disappeared, and under these new circumstances, we learned to adapt to our daily schedule and new necessities, such as the increasing demand for masks and gloves.

We constantly hear reports of increasing death rates, heightened numbers of people infected, and governments working hard to ease the situation. Despite news that may be difficult to watch, across national and international news we have also seen images of people hanging rainbow banners as a sign of support. The rainbow banners show a sign of gratitude to public health organizations and doctors who are exposing themselves by fighting the pandemic on the front lines. Some of you may wonder, why rainbows?

Take a look below to discover the secret of rainbow banners during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Rainbows
Photo by Gianluca Cetraro

Where did this trend start?

The first rainbow banner picture appeared in Italy, the most affected country from the European Union with approximately nineteen thousand deaths. In major cities like Rome, Turin and Milan, Italian citizens showed their support by hanging hope messages on their balconies with a message, “Andrà tutto bene.” (Everything will be fine). Later, these banners appeared in other countries such as Spain and the United Kingdom. In the United States, children drew rainbows in solidarity, sending their warm messages to health officials and state governors who are struggling to keep their communities safe.

Rainbows are a common meteorological phenomenon that shows up in the sky after heavy rains and dark clouds. When rainbows appear, the clouds and grey sky disappear and are replaced by light blue skies and sunshine. Birds start to sing and, suddenly, there is no darkness left.

Rainbows
Photo by Gianluca Cetraro

Now, symbolically, rainbows are a sign of hope, indicating that there is always a light in the dark. There shall always be a solution to a crisis. But most importantly, there is no evil that lasts a hundred years. Even though different parts of the world are universally showing rainbows as a sign of optimism, the meaning of rainbows across history has had diverse meanings.

According to BBC journalist Gaia Vince, “world cultures have sought diverse meaning in a translucent arc in the sky.” For instance, in Irish mythology, rainbows are a path where a valuable treasure is at the end of the trail. In Norwegian mythology, rainbows are bridges which connect human beings with the gods (remember the bridge that connects Asgard and Earth on Thor?).

Moreover, rainbows in some religions such as Christianity and Buddhism are signs that better times will come. We can see rainbows as a call for liberty and freedom of expression, such as the colourful flag of the LGTB+ community. Regardless of all the connotative meanings rainbows have, they embody joy and happiness not only by their meanings but also by their colours.

Rainbows
giphy.com

As the COVID-19 pandemic worsens, we need a light of hope, something that makes us realize that we will eventually survive if we follow all the guidelines, wash our hands, and take care of ourselves and family members. Law enforcement and public health officials are risking their lives to save others, only resting for a few hours before returning to their shift. Consequently, the combination of all these stressors increases public awareness and negativity.

However, once health officials and essential workers see the rainbow banners across the streets, they know who they fight for. Rainbow banners are a reminder to all people, not only those on the frontline but also neighbours, that there is always hope. Their fight against the virus will persevere until the time when we can all hug and kiss again, but most importantly, let the world know that we did it.

Shares37FacebookTweet

Filed Under: Life

About Gianluca Cetraro

Born and raised in Lima, Peru; Gianluca is a Junior communication student at the University of Maryland - College Park Campus. His favourite activities include watching and playing soccer, study languages and history

You May Also Like

songs to belt out

21 Songs to Belt Out in the Shower

Top 10 Weird Scholarships You Can’t Miss

cultural identity and language

Language Abilities Don’t Define Your Cultural Identity, Unless?

How I Turned My Personal Journals into a Published Book

15 Alcohol-Free Activities for a Friday Night In

Reflecting on Fall 2020: How to Recover from One of the Hardest Semesters

How to Make Money From Home Without Taking Off Your PJs

15 COVID-19 Safe Ways to Celebrate the Holidays in 2020

Top 10 COVID-19 Safe Activities to Do Near Fresno, California

Breaking the Binary: My Journey into Identifying as Non-Binary

The Döner Project: My Berlin Budget as a College Student

CM’s Guide to the Print and Digital Journalism Major

Away from Home and Feeling Gross: Being Sick My Freshman Year

A Tale of Two Twin Flames

movies to binge over winter break

Battling Boredom: 10 Movies to Binge Over Winter Break

Being an Asian-American: Learning to Accept Both Halves of Myself

How to Become a Published Poet

ADHD or the Enemy? At Least My College Helped Me

berkeley outdoors

10 COVID-19 Friendly Things to Do in Berkeley, California

Top 10 DIY Gifts for Your BFF

Christmas

10 Gifts For Parents That They Want But Haven’t Asked For

friend group dressed up as Big Hero Six characters

Animation Nerds Unite: 10 Gifts for Animation Lovers

gifts for your girl squad

10 Gifts Your Girl Squad Can’t Live Without

10 Virtual Gifts for Your BFF that Will Make Them Love You Forever

Previous Post: «stay healthy Defend Your Body: Don’t Let Coronavirus Drag Down Your Health
Next Post: CM’s Top 10 Colleges in California 2020 Best Colleges in California»

Primary Sidebar



Trending Posts

102

10 St. John’s University Finals Activities to Help You De-Stress

mental health
95

Pandemic and Academic Blues: Being Aware of Your Mental Health

23

A Gator’s Bucket-List: 21 Things to Do Before Graduating From UF

songs to belt out
14

21 Songs to Belt Out in the Shower

4

Top 10 Things To Keep in Mind When Asking for a Reference Letter

Featured Chapter: St. John’s University

Footer

logo

College Magazine is the national daily guide to campus life. Our articles for college students feature university rankings of U.S. colleges, college guides, academic advice, college prep, career advice, student health and collegiate dating tips.

Written by students for students, by a team of journalists from universities nationwide, we’re on the pulse of the college experience.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Colleges

  • College Guides
  • College Rankings
  • Campus life
  • Academics
  • Dating
  • Freshmen Year
  • Health
  • Party

Majors

  • All College Majors
  • Most Popular Majors
  • Choosing a Major

Intern

  • Internships Directory
  • How to Write a Resume
  • How to Write a Cover Letter
  • How to Interview
  • How to Get an Internship
  • How to Network

Money

  • How to Make Money
  • How to Save Money
  • How to Get a Job
  • Credit Cards 101
  • College Loans

Travel

  • Study Abroad
  • College Spring Break
  • How to Travel Cheap
  • Things to Do

Shop

  • College Packing List
  • Gift Guides
  • About Us
  • Team
  • Write
  • Apply
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sign Up
  • Advertise
  • My Account
  • Cart

Copyright © 2021 College Magazine · All Rights Reserved · Powered by BizBudding Inc.