How to Remember the 7 Rainbow Colours Easily with ROYGBIV Mnemonic
The 7 colours of rainbow are a captivating natural wonder that have inspired stories, science, and art for centuries. This colourful spectrum appears in the sky after rain when sunlight interacts with water droplets, splitting into distinct bands. Knowing the 7 colours of rainbow in order, names, and meaning is a fun way for students to understand both light and nature’s beauty.
What Are the 7 Colours of the Rainbow? Names and Order
The 7 colours of rainbow are always observed in the same order due to how light bends and spreads. These are Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, and Violet. They form the famous band known as the visible spectrum. To remember the 7 colours of the rainbow in order, use the acronym VIBGYOR or the phrase ROY G. BIV.
Table of the 7 Colours of Rainbow in Order with Names and Meaning
| Order | Colour Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Red | Symbolises energy, strength, and passion |
| 2 | Orange | Associated with joy, enthusiasm, and creativity |
| 3 | Yellow | Represents happiness, intellect, and clarity |
| 4 | Green | Stands for growth, harmony, and renewal |
| 5 | Blue | Shows calmness, trust, and peace |
| 6 | Indigo | Represents wisdom, intuition, and mystery |
| 7 | Violet | Stands for imagination, spirituality, and inspiration |
Each colour in the rainbow has a special significance. The band’s order is determined by the wavelength of each colour—red has the longest wavelength, and violet has the shortest. This sequence forms the beautiful arc we enjoy after a rain shower. Discover more colours and their meanings by exploring colour names on Vedantu.
How Is a Rainbow Formed? Simple Explanation for Kids
A rainbow forms when sunlight passes through raindrops in the air. The raindrops act like tiny prisms, bending and splitting white light into seven different colours. This process is called refraction, dispersion, and reflection. That’s why after rainfall, the 7 colours of rainbow in order can be seen opposite the sun in the sky.
The observer must stand with their back to the sun to spot a rainbow. Also, rainbows always appear at a specific angle, usually 42 degrees. You can learn more about natural wonders and their English descriptions in nature and place essays on Vedantu.
Who Discovered the 7 Colours of the Rainbow?
The discovery of the 7 colours of rainbow is often linked to Sir Isaac Newton, a famous scientist. In the 17th century, Newton used a prism to break white light into its various colours. He identified and named the seven colours: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. Earlier, many cultures and thinkers, including Aristotle, observed rainbows but did not clearly define the sequence. The number seven was chosen by Newton as it matched the seven notes in music.
Easy Ways to Remember the 7 Colours of Rainbow for Students
Remembering all 7 colours of the rainbow in order is easy with mnemonics and songs. The acronym VIBGYOR stands for Violet, Indigo, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange, and Red—from the inside edge out. Alternatively, use ROY G. BIV (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet) to recall them from the outer edge inwards. Teachers may use fun stories or a 7 colours of rainbow song in class to help children.
Use colourful flashcards or images for a quick visual aid.
Sing the colours in order to a catchy tune.
Link each colour to an object (for example, Red–apple, Green–leaf, Blue–sky).
Learn colours for kids
The 7 Colours of Rainbow and Their Meanings
Each colour in the spectrum has its own unique meaning, often seen in stories and traditions. Here’s what the 7 colours of rainbow with names symbolise:
Red: Vitality and excitement. In some cultures, it also stands for knowledge and courage.
Orange: Represents warmth, friendliness, and creativity.
Yellow: Symbolises joy, optimism, and clear thinking.
Green: Associated with life, nature, and renewal.
Blue: Evokes calm, stability, and trust. Blue is often linked with the sky and water.
Indigo: Stands for intuition and deep knowledge. It is a mix of blue and violet.
Violet: Represents peace, imagination, and spirituality.
The 7 colours of rainbow and their meanings are often used in stories and art. If you are interested in reading stories that connect to colours, check out the 7 colours of rainbow story for kids.
Real-World Applications and Fun Facts about the 7 Colours of the Rainbow
The 7 colours of rainbow are not just seen in the sky. These vibrant shades inspire art, design, and cultural symbols worldwide. For example, if you add all 7 colours of rainbow, the resultant colour would be white—a fun science fact! Did you know rainbows can appear in waterfalls and fountains, not just after rain?
Rainbows remind us of the beauty in nature and encourage us to look out for patterns in our daily lives. Students can explore more about natural phenomena and improve their observation skills with learning activities on Vedantu.
Other Interesting Rainbow Questions
Are there only 7 colours in a rainbow? While we see seven distinct colours, a rainbow is actually a continuous blend of many shades. Some cultures talk about 10 colours of the rainbow, 12, or even 21 colours, but the seven main colours are the most recognised worldwide. In India, kids sometimes learn the 7 colours of rainbow in Hindi or Marathi too.
To see clear 7 colours of rainbow with picture, look for photographs taken just after rainfall. Curious minds can also explore the names of other colours to expand their knowledge.
Primary VS Secondary Rainbow
A primary rainbow forms with one internal reflection in raindrops and is brighter, with red on the outside. A secondary rainbow forms with two internal reflections, appearing fainter and with reversed colour order—violet on the outside and red inside. It is possible to spot both during suitable weather conditions!
Now that you know about the 7 colours of rainbow in English, try finding other patterns in nature, such as the sequence of months or the names of animals. Learning about colours is a great step towards enjoying and protecting our environment.
Page Summary
This page covers the 7 colours of rainbow and their order, names, meaning, and fun facts. It explains how a rainbow is formed, who discovered its colours, and why each shade is special. The topic links science, culture, and creativity, with many real-life examples. Vedantu provides helpful resources for children to deepen their understanding of colours and nature.
FAQs on 7 Colours of the Rainbow: Names, Order and Meaning
1. What are the 7 colours of the rainbow in order?
The 7 colours of the rainbow in order are Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, and Violet. They appear from the top (outside) to the bottom (inside) of a rainbow arc.
Order of 7 rainbow colours:
1. Red
2. Orange
3. Yellow
4. Green
5. Blue
6. Indigo
7. Violet
Remember this sequence with the mnemonic "ROYGBIV".
2. What is the mnemonic for the rainbow colours?
The most popular mnemonic for remembering the 7 colours of the rainbow is "ROYGBIV", where each letter stands for a colour in order.
- R – Red
- O – Orange
- Y – Yellow
- G – Green
- B – Blue
- I – Indigo
- V – Violet
3. Why does a rainbow have 7 colours?
A rainbow has 7 colours because sunlight splits into seven visible colours when it passes through raindrops due to a process called dispersion.
- These colours are the visible spectrum, defined by scientist Isaac Newton.
- The human eye can distinguish these 7 major hues: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet.
4. What do the colours of the rainbow mean?
Each colour of the rainbow can represent a certain meaning or symbolism:
- Red – Energy, passion, strength
- Orange – Creativity, joy, warmth
- Yellow – Happiness, optimism, brightness
- Green – Growth, harmony, balance
- Blue – Calm, peace, trust
- Indigo – Intuition, wisdom, mystery
- Violet – Imagination, inspiration, luxury
5. Are there more than 7 colours in a rainbow?
A rainbow officially has 7 colours according to Newton’s classification, but in reality, the spectrum is continuous and has many shades.
- Some cultures name 6, 10 or 12 rainbow colours by identifying more blends or divisions.
- Most educational syllabuses and science textbooks teach 7 main rainbow colours for simplicity and clarity.
6. How can I remember the order of rainbow colours easily?
The easiest way to remember the rainbow colour sequence is to use the mnemonic ROYGBIV.
- Each letter stands for a colour: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet.
- Practice writing or saying the order several times before your exam.
- Visual charts and colour bands also help with memorization.
7. What are the 7 colours of the rainbow in Hindi, Marathi, and Odia?
The 7 rainbow colours in English and their translations:
English – Hindi – Marathi – Odia
1. Red – Laal (लाल) – Lal (लाल) – Lal (ଲାଲ)
2. Orange – Narangi (नारंगी) – Narangi (नारंगी) – Kamala (କମଳ)
3. Yellow – Peela (पीला) – Paivala (पिवळा) – Haladi (ହଳଦି)
4. Green – Hara (हरा) – Hirwa (हिरवा) – Sunakhari (ସୁନାଖରି)
5. Blue – Neela (नीला) – Neela (नीळा) – Neela (ନୀଳ)
6. Indigo – Jamuni (जामुनी) – Jambhala (जांभळा) – Jamuni (ଜାମୁନି)
7. Violet – Bengani (बैंगनी) – Vaingani (बैंगणी) – Baigani (ବୈଗଣି)
This helps bilingual students with vocabulary and exam preparation.
8. Can you give example sentences using all 7 rainbow colours?
Sample sentences with all rainbow colour names help boost your English for exams and creative writing:
- All seven colours of the rainbow – Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, and Violet – appeared in the sky.
- The teacher asked me to list the rainbow colours in order using the ROYGBIV mnemonic.
- Many flags and artworks are inspired by rainbow colours.
9. Why is indigo sometimes debated as a rainbow colour?
Indigo is debated as a rainbow colour because it's difficult to distinguish from blue and violet with the naked eye.
- Some scientists and cultures mention only 6 rainbow colours.
- Isaac Newton named indigo as the 6th colour to match the traditional 7 notes of a musical scale.
10. What is the scientific explanation for the formation of a rainbow?
A rainbow forms when sunlight passes through raindrops, causing the light to refract (bend), disperse into different colours, and reflect back to the observer.
- This process is called dispersion of light.
- The sequence of 7 colours is created because each colour bends at a slightly different angle.
