The Teachings of Rainbow
Seven lessons are taught to the girls at their initiation ceremony which are represented by the colors of the Rainbow. Short lectures are given on the subjects of Love, Religion, Nature, Immortality, Fidelity, Patriotism, and Service. |
Each lesson a girl receives from one of the Color Stations takes her symbolically further toward her goal--the Pot of Gold. These are lessons that a Rainbow Girl keeps throughout her life. Each Color Station represents a color of the Rainbow, and teaches a specific lesson:
Red:
Love
The lecture of the Sister of Love is about love in all of its forms. It reminds
us that we must love everyone--our God, our families, our friends, and even
our enemies.
It is fitting that the Sister of Love's color is red, because love is like
having the ultimate in rose-colored glasses. Love helps us see the good behind
the bad things in life. It allows us to love people in spite of knowing their
faults. Even when someone is gone from our lives, it is the love that remains.
Orange: Religion
The lecture of the Sister of Religion uses examples based on Christianity.
This is because the founder of the International Order of Rainbow for Girls
was a Christian minister. However, we should not interpret this lecture as
telling us that Christianity is the only way. The principle message is that
some sort of organized religion should be a part of all of our lives. The lecture
uses examples from Chrisitianity to teach the general truths applicable to
all organized religions. An example of such a universal truth is: "Do
unto others as you would have them unto you."
This lecture emphasizes the importance of a Religion based on love and forgiveness.
It does not require conversion to the Christian religion.
Yellow: Nature
The lecture of the Sister of Nature is that nature and its lessons should always
be present in our lives. In our increasingly technological world, nature can
get lost. We each need to spend time marveling at the way the elements of our
natural world fit together, each part of that world supporting another.
The Sister of Nature reminds us that the environment is not just a "cause;" it
is where we all live, an atmosphere from which we can gain inspiration. We
must do our best to protect our environment so that we may continue to take
lessons from it.
Green: Immortality
The lecture of the Sister of Immortality teaches us that death is a part of
life. We must each learn to cope with the idea that eventually death will come
to each of us. In addition, we must learn to grieve and go on after those we
love pass away.
The Sister of Immortality relies on the teachings of Christianity to explain
the concept of an afterlife. Like the lecture of the Sister Religion, these
teachings are only examples of the afterlife that is a part of many, if not
most, organized religions.
Blue: Fidelity
The lecture of the Sister of Fidelity teaches us to be honest. When we make
a promise, we must keep it. When we say we will do something, we must do it.
When a friend trusts us with a secret, we must keep it.
The Sister of Fidelity teaches us to show others by our actions that we are
honest and reliable.
Indigo: Patriotism
The lecture of the Sister of Patriotism teaches us to be true to our country.
Sometimes we think of service to our country as military service, but this
is not the only way we can serve. The Sister of Patriotism's lecture has a
place in all of our lives and is demonstrated when we vote, when we serve in
elected office, when we participate in electoral campaigns, or work in the
public service.
In short, the Sister of Patriotism teaches us to be a proud citizen of our
country, to respect its flag, and to defend it through military service when
called to do so.
Violet: Service
One could say that the Sister of Service represents the lesson that ties all
of the others together. We serve our loved ones and our Supreme Being. By working
to preserve the environment, we learn its importance. Our service to others
lives on, even when we are gone. We show our patriotism by serving our country.
This lecture teaches us that service does not have to be a big thing. It can
be as simple as helping with family chores or visiting a shut-in. It is important
to do things for others, not just when it's convenient or organized by your
Assembly. Service to others should be an everyday part of each of our lives.
3 Principles
Sister of Faith |
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The Sister of Faith guides us through the journey of Initiation just as our Faith guides us through life. The Sister of Faith teaches us to have Faith in God, in each other, and in every righteous thing. Most importantly, the Sister of Faith teaches us to have faith in ourselves. She shows us that when things get really difficult, we are strong enough to get through anything. | |
Sister of Hope |
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The Sister of Hope teaches us not to despair and to never give up, because something better is around the corner for each of us. We learn from the Sister of Hope never to doubt that doing the "right" thing will be best for us in the end. It is easy to give up hope and use that as an excuse to give up completely on trying to live by the lessons of Rainbow. The lesson of Sister of Hope says, "hang on, you matter, don't give up, keep working for that goal, because you will get there." | |
Sister of Charity |
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The Sister of Charity teaches us to strive for the Pot of Gold all of our lives. For Rainbow Girls, the Pot of Gold is a life lived completely according to the lessons of Rainbow. The Sister of Charity shows us the principal treasures in the Pot of Gold, but she reminds us that there are many others that we find in a life of service. In other words, in making the lessons of Rainbow an everyday part of our lives, we will find life's true treasures. Although a Rainbow Girl can only stay active through the age of 20, when they reach their majority, these lessons do not end there. |