What is the Rainbow Bridge?
Long before it became a symbol of heavenly reunion, the ‘earthly’ Rainbow Bridge stood as a sacred monument, a natural wonder carved from salmon-pink sandstone in Southern Utah.
Nestled at the base of Navajo Mountain, just north of the Arizona border, it arches across the land like a silent rainbow etched in stone.
Formed by a former branch of the Colorado River through slow, steady erosion, it is now recognized as the largest natural bridge in the world. It was proclaimed an American national monument in 1910.
To the Navajo people, who have known and revered this bridge for generations, it is called “Nonnezoshi”, a name meaning ‘rainbow turned to stone’.
To this day, it is considered a sacred place. Navajo tradition teaches that special prayers must be offered before passing beneath the sacred arch.
Failure to honor this custom is believed to bring misfortune. Tourists may visit only with permission from the Navajo Nation, and are asked not to walk directly under the monument out of respect for the tribe’s beliefs.
Perhaps it was this deep reverence, this understanding of a place where heaven seems to kiss the earth, that gave rise to the vision of the ‘heavenly Rainbow Bridge.’
Others trace its origin to Norse legend. But regardless of where the idea began, the story of the Rainbow Bridge has offered comfort to grieving hearts for generations.
It speaks of a place where the spirits of beloved animal companions wait joyfully, free from pain, watching over us with love until we meet again.
We see the Rainbow Bridge as more than a place; it is a sacred metaphor for the transition from earthly life to eternal love.
Its significance extends far beyond a simple image or a comforting tale.
It marks the moment when our soul reunites with those animals who touched our lives, ensuring our journey from this world to the next is filled not with sorrow, but with celebration. A testament to the enduring power of love that transcends even the seeming boundaries of life and death.
As they wait Somewhere Over Rainbow Bridge, our companions are free.
They may grow angel wings and dance among the stars, or curl peacefully on clouds of joy, forever close to our hearts.
Free of pain, illness, or limitation, they are safe and whole…forever watching over us.
The Rainbow Bridge assures us: when we leave this life, it is not an end, but a radiant homecoming. A reminder that the connections we share with our animal companions are eternal, woven into the very fabric of our souls.
A glorious and joyful reunion with old friends and beloved spirits in a place where joy reigns supreme, love knows no end and where eternity begins with the wag of a tail or the purr of recognition.
And so, the Rainbow Bridge is not only a promise…it is a deep knowing carried in every heartbeat that has ever loved…that…Love Never Dies… Somewhere Over Rainbow Bridge…Love Waits for You.
Rainbow Bridge Poem
Author Unknown?
The Dear Abby column as it appeared in the Sacramento Bee, February 20, 1994
The Rainbow Bridge poem was introduced to the American public in 1994 in the Dear Abby advice column. It appeared without an author and quickly captured the hearts of animal lovers everywhere.
Dear Abby received an overwhelming response from readers, and in her column she invited anyone who knew the author to come forward so that proper credit could be given.
No one responded, and for many years the beloved poem circulated under the credit: Author Unknown
In February 2023, American author Paul Koudounaris member of The Order of the Good Death published proof that the true author was Edna Clyne-Rekhy, who wrote the poem in 1959 as a teenager in Inverness, Scotland.
It was her tribute to Major, her first dog. Edna explained, ‘He was very special. I used to sit and talk to him, and I felt that he understood every word.’
Edna’s original copy of The Rainbow Bridge, handwritten on a sheet of notebook paper
She shared copies with friends, and over time, the poem was passed on and her name eventually forgotten.
Koudounaris’ article included touching photographs of Edna’s original typewritten poem and heartfelt reflections on her deep bond with Major.
She never trained him formally, yet he was gentle and obedient naturally attuned to her soul.
Later in the article, Edna shared a powerful spiritual experience that confirmed her belief in something greater.
When she lost her father at fifteen, she was angry and alone at his funeral.
As she stared at his face, she suddenly heard his voice say: ‘Dinn-a worry… athing’ll be a-richt.’
That same moment, her mother walked in and spoke those exact words.
Edna at 82 years old, in 2023, with her dogs Zannussi and Missy.
It was a turning point in Edna’s life, a divine encounter. She described feeling a profound warmth, and years later, that same warmth surrounded her when she wrote the Rainbow Bridge poem.
At that moment she knew that there must be some kind of god, that something benevolent did exist beyond us, and she has never doubted it since. And that warm feeling she felt at that time was the same warm feeling that overcame her when she felt the compulsion to write the Rainbow Bridge.
Edna’s words continue to comfort hearts around the world, reminding us that Love Never Dies, and that the connection we share with our beloved animals endures across time, space, and into eternity.
