In Christian iconography the rainbow is always depicted as: a) a rainbow, and b) in context (scriptural scene or doctrinal exposition). The usage is unambiguous. To avoid confusion between secular, politically correct issues and covenantal doctrine, people (churches) should be careful to adhere to Christian tradition/iconography.

2. Noah offers sacrifice following the flood. The rainbow in the scriptural context of the story of Noah.

3. Symbolic use of the rainbow but with the ark, and the tablets of the commandments, symbol of the covenant with Moses.

4. "Majesta Domini" (Christ in Glory) or "The Vision of Ezekiel", 4th century apse in a private royal chapel. Christ sits on a rainbow. The four beasts are overlapped by a transparent aureole surrounding Christ. Ezekiel sits on the left while John (of the Book of Revelation) sits on the right.
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Pictures Sources:
1. I have misplaced the source credit for this photo.
2. http://www.flickr.com/photos/therevsteve/2548441831/sizes/m/in/pool-91665441@N00/
3. I’m afraid I lost the credit for this one as well.
Tags: Liturgical art
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Not about rainbows, but it appears (given that next year is a leap year) that your counter is off by one day. July 14 is 367 days not 366 days.
You’re right, annonymouse!
I guess we can still celebrate tomorrow as the one year mark even if it happens to be a leap year in 2012 🙂
I have been waiting to tell you what a magnificent post this was of Rainbow in Christian Iconography. Thank you so much for creating this post.
Apart from Iconography, I saw two church windows depicting God’s Covenant by utilizing a rainbow in the design in Gallery of Jubilee Windows, St. Joseph College, the Catholic College at the U of A. The name of the windows are: “Covenant” and “Christ in Glory”. They can be found on the Internet at University of Alberta-St. Joseph College-Jubilee Windows.