08-12-2016, 05:55 PM
The colour schemes of rainbows are difficult to interpret over the centuries. I don't think there were any consensus on how many colours were present, or even a generalised idea that rainbows were made up of a set number of colours.
In fact, even Newton - generally credited with being the first to understand and study rainbows- got it wrong by insisting there were eight colours (there are now considered to be only 7). He wanted a mystical association with his theory of the universe which involved everything coming in sets of eight.
In fact, even Newton - generally credited with being the first to understand and study rainbows- got it wrong by insisting there were eight colours (there are now considered to be only 7). He wanted a mystical association with his theory of the universe which involved everything coming in sets of eight.