Debunked Myths

The ROYGBIV mnemonic has taught generations that rainbows contain seven distinct colors, but this division is a cultural construct, not a scientific reality. Isaac Newton, who was as much a mystic as a scientist, initially identified five primary colors in the spectrum. Influenced by Pythagorean beliefs about cosmic harmony, he added orange and indigo to make seven colors, matching the seven notes of a musical scale.

In reality, a rainbow is a seamless gradient of countless shades where colors blend imperceptibly. The human eye can distinguish millions of colors within this continuous spectrum. Different cultures throughout history have divided rainbows differently—some see only five colors, others six.

Newton's choice of seven reflected his era's obsession with mystical numerology rather than objective observation. The rainbow itself knows no such boundaries; it's a glorious, unbroken bridge of light that we've artificially divided to make sense of its beauty. The true rainbow is more magnificent than any simple color list can capture.