Rainbow

Sensitive Content Notice ⚠️

The following article contains and discusses content that may be distressing to some readers.
Reason for Warning: Some images and aesthetics in this category may feature bright, flashing patterns and rapidly changing colors, which could trigger photosensitivity in some individuals.

Rainbow aesthetics are usually bright, happy, and childlike in nature, and appealing to those who feel as if they didn't have a childhood, or would like to feel like a kid again, or those who love nostalgia. It also displays creativity and a sense of rebellion & anarchy; going against the "neutral/singular color norm."

Please note that aesthetics that are not inherently tied to any color should not be placed in this category.

Visual[]

Rainbow visuals can either focus on the rainbow as a whole or one specific color of the rainbow:

For more information on how to properly utilize these colors, see Color Theory.

On top of the standard 7-color rainbow, rainbow visuals can also include iridescent, photochromatic, or thermochromatic color shifting.

Iridescent: Iridescent pigments can shift through, at least 2 different colors in the same pigment, but it is possible to shift through all of the colors of the rainbow at different times, as opposed to Holographic, which shows off the rainbow of colors all at once, even in colored pigments.
Photochromatic: Photochromatic pigments change color when exposed to light of some kind (be it regular sunlight or blacklight. However, for UV Photochromatic-reactive items, the color has to change under blacklight, not simply glow)
Thermochromatic: Thermochromatic pigments change color between different temperatures.

However, this doesn't include holographic or UV-reactive/glow in the dark effects. This particular flavor of rainbow visuals work best when shown off in a format that shows off motion, such as GIFs or movies, to get the full effect. There are examples of crystals, cars, and even food that can utilize the effect, but to simply look at a still image, while it can get the idea of color-shifting across, it's not ideal for the full effect. The best example of this in nature is the chameleon, which will change colors to show its internal body temperature or mood (contrary to popular belief, chameleons don't change their appearance to blend into their surrounds; all one has to do is look at the many brightly-colored chameleons out there to know that this belief is absolute nonsense), though other animals that can achieve this effect include the octopus.

Subgenres[]

Mutes[]

Mute rainbows usually consist of more mute and neutral colors with less vibrancy; displaying the calm yet chaotic material of nostalgia & childhood. This can be seen in aesthetics like Indie Kid.

Neons[]

Neon rainbows consist of more flashy, bright colors with lots of vibrancy; displaying alternative anarchy yet pro-LGBTQ+ & pro-alterhumanity themes and the escape from social norms. It also shows childhood nostalgia and the sense of youthful freedom. This can be seen in aesthetics like Scene, Glitchcore, Kidcore, 2010s Internet and Dreamcore.

Pastels[]

Pastel rainbows consist of more calm, cutesy colors with little of vibrancy; displaying silly playfulness & childish interests. This can be seen in aesthetics like Pastel Academia, Clowncore, Babycore, Danish Pastel and Unicorncore.