When did the idea of Rainbow Bridge start?

mandwhy said:
I always thought it came from the poem which is sickly sweet and care bears and loveliness but not my cup of tea.

Now people say it is from Norse mythology I think it has more credibility in my mind, you learn something new everyday (especially when you're in the cupboard it seems!)

I thought when adults refer to it that it is just a euphemism like 'passed away' 'kicked the bucket' etc but who knows :-)

Eta my OH has never heard of this but says in Thor the bridge that is protected by the gatekeeper is the rainbow bridge.
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It seems from an earlier post that when people say "Run free at RB" that's not the mythology. They're supposed to wait for us owners!

I'd rather Mollie was running free, with other horses. It seems selfish to have her standing around waiting for decades (although probably not that many decades in my case). ;)
 
orionstar said:
In Norse mythology horses roam freely over the grass and mountains and dogs play and hunt together happy and free, then when the owner joins them, they live a happy life together. There is also elements of this in earlier non Christian teachings. I'd like to think If any of my animals went anywhere it was here!
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See, this I can get behind. But if you're going to wave twinkly animated gifs with big-eyed kittens on 'em at me, that's when I get a little bit offended ;)
 
I've always thought of it as Valhalla, or some such 'place'.

Of course the animal or person has died, that is only too painfully obvious, but as none of know for sure what happens after death, then hopefully people will go with what feels right for them.

I for one live he bought that someday I'll see my loved ones again. Over Rainbow Bridge is, as far as I'm concerned, a good a place as any :cool:
 
Given the stuff I've read FM12 they dont wait for you, but they're reunited with you. It's not American twaddle, although they tend to spend a lot of time reading historical stuff, it's been around in this country ever since people became uncomfortable with the fact that they woul'dnt see their pet's again, which is eerm, round about the stone age!

I shall edit it this to say that some times, when someone died, their relatives were not adverse to ensuring that their favourite horse or dog went with them.
 
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Unfortunately see death at work, I know scientifically how a body dies but I believe that we are individual and there is something there to make us so. Therefore in my mind that "soul" needs to leave when the body stops. Admittingly I think into nothing but still something leaves.

Because of this ashes/ burial means nothing to me.

Crossing the bridge/ heading for the big meadow in the sky is just a nice analogy I think.
 
gala said:
My horse will barely cross a small bridge on a hack without a lot of snorty tomfoolery. I've tried to imagine him going over the rainbow bridge...y'know, as you do.....and I have to apologise in advance as I know he's going to plant, freeze, run backwards, try and kick the horse behind him and generally hold up the queue. Maybe I should start de-sensitising him first? Multi coloured tarps in the school for him to walk over? On a ramp? I'm worried now, would he be better led or ridden? And what if there's angels with big flappy wings? He practically faints if he sees a pheasant, one look at the angel Gabriel and he'll just die...oh...ah...hang on....
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Very funny. :D
 
FionaM12 said:
Having kept animals on and off for over 50 years, I had never heard of "Rainbow Bridge" until about five years ago.

It's an idea which seems slightly ludicrous to me, but then I don't believe in Heaven either. :) I find he sentimentality of the term RB cloying. It sounds like a childrens' tv programme! :D

It rather reminds me of people telling their kids the family dog "went to live on a farm", only for adults. ;) Our family pets were adored, but on their demise we were told the truth which taught us a lot about the reality of death, and was fine. Surely the end of suffering is comfort enough?

Does anyone know how and when the RB idea came about? And am I alone in finding it rather uncomfortable?
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I understand why others like to use the term, but personally I agree it's too sentimental and a bit cringey so don't use it myself!
 
gala said:
My horse will barely cross a small bridge on a hack without a lot of snorty tomfoolery. I've tried to imagine him going over the rainbow bridge...y'know, as you do.....and I have to apologise in advance as I know he's going to plant, freeze, run backwards, try and kick the horse behind him and generally hold up the queue. Maybe I should start de-sensitising him first? Multi coloured tarps in the school for him to walk over? On a ramp? I'm worried now, would he be better led or ridden? And what if there's angels with big flappy wings? He practically faints if he sees a pheasant, one look at the angel Gabriel and he'll just die...oh...ah...hang on....
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Brilliant! :D
 
Toffee44 said:
Unfortunately see death at work, I know scientifically how a body dies but I believe that we are individual and there is something there to make us so. Therefore in my mind that "soul" needs to leave when the body stops. Admittingly I think into nothing but still something leaves.

Because of this ashes/ burial means nothing to me.

Crossing the bridge/ heading for the big meadow in the sky is just a nice analogy I think.
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I also see a fair amount of deaths at work. A colleague of mine is a spiritualist, and she often tells us when someone is about to leave - sometimes unexpectedly. She says people who loved you come to wait for you and take you over, they know you are about to depart. She has "seen" animals waiting for people as well. So maybe we will see them again, which is a lovely feeling. If you believe in that. M
 
FionaM12 said:
:D :D Whatever its origins, I can't help but think there might be something in that. ;)
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Nobody is immune.

Especially the parents who should have known better going round car boots looking to buy them second hand when the first generation disappeared from the shops.And being delighted when they found an original Rosedust.

Wouldn't catch me doing something like that.......................:o
 
I dont care who thought of it I think its quite nice and when I lost old matey boy I just liked the common theme/understanding of others who have been in a similar situation. I am not at all religious but suppose likened to heaven(pearly gates etc). So if it makes me feel an ease of sadness that my old boy is somewhere better(he is). Rainbow bridge is fine with me. I hope they are all having a ball over rainbow bridge running free. Great idea.

Gala made me laugh..you need to teach flying perhaps? & yes My little pony does spring to mind too.
 
indie999 said:
I dont care who thought of it I think its quite nice and when I lost old matey boy I just liked the common theme/understanding of others who have been in a similar situation. I am not at all religious but suppose likened to heaven(pearly gates etc). So if it makes me feel an ease of sadness that my old boy is somewhere better(he is). Rainbow bridge is fine with me. I hope they are all having a ball over rainbow bridge running free. Great idea.
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Having just lost my best friend for the last 20 years, I like the idea that my horse is in a better place and waiting to for me to join her when its my time.
 
I struggle with the idea of Rainbow bridge and so on. I'm very atheist so when people tell me my mare is just waiting in a field of grass for me I can't believe it, as much as I'd like to. It's far more difficult to accept death when you don't believe in heaven I think because you are facing the realisation that you really won't ever see them again, which is a horrible idea to grasp. So I totally understand why people believe in Rainbow bridge and so on. But it's not for me.
 
I think it sums up the sugary cotton wool life we are expected to live these days. Gone are the days when people could be honest and straight forward.
We now must all be seen to be careing, sensitive, fluffy, and gentle. most of which is false so ultimately dishonest.
I preferred the time when people said what they meant and meant what they said. That doesn't mean they were cruel or spiteful, but honest, and you could trust the integrity of people.
These days every one portrays them self as soft and careing in public and sometimes are actually vile people.
I'm an old crone who says it like it is, and proud of it.
 
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