Inspiration Point

The point is, we don't design in a vacuum. Great ideas are inspired by what we see, feel and do every day.

Over the past few days, I've had a number of encounters related to energy. For example, I stumbled into a fab conversation with a feng shui expert, watched the movie Men Who Stare At Goats and scheduled a time to select a personal stone.

So today's Inspiration Point is: the rainbow (If you don't get it, read on.) From it we can derive shape and color, but there's so much more.

One of the most powerful tools a designer has is intuition. Today's Inspiration Point came intuitively, but I had to do some research about it's meaning. Here's some info on the symbolism of the rainbow.

Rainbow Dream Meaning

Psychological Meaning: The rainbow symbolises good news, hope, redemption and the ending of gloom. Since the sun can be a symbol of the self, it is also associated with the magical quest for the treasure of self-knowledge. The rainbow is a bridge between heaven and earth, between your earthly self and your higher enlightened self.

Mystical Meaning: The gypsies say that to dream of a brightly coloured rainbow means a happy change is coming. If the colours become dull there will be a deterioration in your circumstances.(Source: http://www.dreamsleep.net/rainbow-dream-meaning.html)

Spiritual Symbolism

One of the greatest spiritual pioneers of the western world, Emanuel Swedenborg, readily recognised the universal importance or light. To use his term, it corresponds to the inner awakening of enlightenment caused by the shining light inherent in truth and wisdom dispelling the darkness of doubt and despair. (Source:http://www.spiritualwisdom.org.uk/colours-of-the-rainbow.htm)

Native American Symbol

The Navajo believe that the rainbow is the bridge between the spirit and human worlds.(Source:http://themagicalbuffet.com/blog1/2007/07/31/the-rainbow-connection%E2%80%A6connections-actually/)

Rainbow in The Bible

In the Bible, the rainbow is a symbol of the covenant between God and man. It is a symbol of God’s promise after the Flood to not destroy humankind again. In addition, Christ is sometimes shown enthroned on a rainbow at the Last Judgment. The rainbow demonstrates His heavenly power and mercy.(Source:http://themagicalbuffet.com/blog1/2007/07/31/the-rainbow-connection%E2%80%A6connections-actually/

Greek Mythology

There is also Iris, who is the personification of the rainbow and messenger of the Gods in Greek mythology. (Source: http://themagicalbuffet.com/blog1/2007/07/31/the-rainbow-connection%E2%80%A6connections-actually/

My Favorite

Now go out there and make some magic!