rainbow bridge

[Ganga]

What does this term mean? I've come across it lately often, and was wondering about it.

[Mithrea]

It appears to have something to do with the loss of a pet . . .

http://www.petloss.com/


but it also is an actual natural bridge . . .

http://www.nps.gov/rabr/


In what context have you heard the term used?

[Ganga]

I sometimes open books at random to see what I find. I opened a Goddess book at the page for Freya and read that her necklace is known as the rainbow bridge to paradise, and it shines with all the colors of the rainbow. Not satisfied, I opened the book again at the page for Chalchihuitlicue (Aztec Goddess) who saved some people by building them a rainbow bridge. So, the first thing I did, was to march here to ask my question.

Pet loss. Our hamster died recently. Nothing happens by coincidence, it seems, and I was guided to open the book at the right page. I'm going to check the site now.

And any other explanations are also welcome - I always tend to get obsessed with an idea, and have to research it properly.

[Witchy Cowgirl]

My kids recently checked out a book at the libary,
The Gods and Goddesses of Olympus.....by Aliki
Maybe the pharse Rainbow Bridge has something to do with Iris and her rainbow path to earth?

[Eeluna]

The rainbow is often thought of as a path or "bridge" between Heaven and Earth in mythology. Often the Gods or their messengers would travel the rainbow to move between realms.

[Rick]

Freya's necklace Brisengammen was said to be what we now call Orien's Belt in astronomy...

In the old Germanic/Norse stories, Bifrost, the Rainbow Bridge, connected Asgard (heaven) with Midgard (earth), & was guarded by Heimdal, the Watcher, who could see a gnat across the ocean, & could hear wool grow on sheep... Bifrost would not sustain the weight of Thor, the Thunderer, so he had to take his Goat Cart through swamps to arrive in Asgard...

Rainbows are important, positive symbols in any tradition of which I have even a shred of knowledge... just like in the Noah & the Ark story, a rainbow is generally taken as a sign that the storm has passed, & clear skies are ahead...

[manstranger]

Originally posted by Rick
Freya's necklace Brisengammen was said to be what we now call Orien's Belt in astronomy...

In the old Germanic/Norse stories, Bifrost, the Rainbow Bridge, connected Asgard (heaven) with Midgard (earth), & was guarded by Heimdal, the Watcher, who could see a gnat across the ocean, & could hear wool grow on sheep... Bifrost would not sustain the weight of Thor, the Thunderer, so he had to take his Goat Cart through swamps to arrive in Asgard...

Rainbows are important, positive symbols in any tradition of which I have even a shred of knowledge... just like in the Noah & the Ark story, a rainbow is generally taken as a sign that the storm has passed, & clear skies are ahead...

Is that as in the Midgard Serpent? I seem to recall that from somewhere...

[Xander67]

here is an interesting answer

it is about the worlds largest Natural Bridge and they have named it Rainbow Bridge it is in utah.

http://rainbowbridge.areaparks.com/

Rainbow Bridge is the world's largest natural bridge. The span has undoubtedly inspired people throughout time--from the neighboring American Indian tribes who consider Rainbow Bridge sacred, to the 300,000 people from around the world who visit it each year.

[Rick]

Originally posted by manstranger
Is that as in the Midgard Serpent? I seem to recall that from somewhere...
:) The Midgard Serpent, Jormungand, is the serpent that encircles the earth... no relationship to Rainbow Bridges that I know...

Midgard = 'middle garth' (middle place; the center of the Universe) = Earth...