RED SKIES / HISTORY

Already the Bible gives an interpretation of Red Skies: “In the evenings you say: it‘s going to be a fine day tomorrow because the sky is red. And in the mornings you say: “There will be storm today because the sky is red and du1l. You can give your opinion on the appearance of the sky; cant you also give your opinion on the signs of the times?“ (Matth.XVI, verses 2 and 3).

A brilliantly red evening sky was considered as a signs of war in former times, an ancient interpretation which was also followed after by Schiller:

There are signs and wonders in the sky, and from the clouds
as red as blood, God droops the cloak of war.

In ancient times, however, Red Skies in the evening were not considered as a signs of war. In Germanic mythology, red evening skies were caused by a male giant acting in the air. He is a foe to the benedicting spirits of light above: Day and night are fighting the battle in which Red Skies (the giant) leads the darkness up across the sky obstructing the sunrays` way to earth. The battle ends with the triumph of the night ghosts.

Popular belief also knows connections with the colours of the sky which are even more pleasant. So red morning or evening skies can also indicate that the Holy Virgin is making the cakes for Christmas.

Also very interesting is an old superstition from Southern Germany, according to which people expected frequent blazes after a red morning sky on New Years` Day. The connection between Red Skies and fire is obviously not off the track.

WEATHER-WISE:

Red morning skies on New Year‘s Day will bring thunderstorm and calamities.
 
Red morning skies on low cloud will be followed by bad weather. Grey mornings and red evenings are fine weathers’ heralds.
 
Red evening skies announce fair weather, red morning skies bring wind and mud.
 
Red morning skies fill the well, red evening skies dry it.
 
Red skies in the evening - fair weathers` herald, red morning skies - bad weather threatening.
 

All these farmers‘ sayings tell a weather rule still valid today: Red evening skies bring fine weather because the clouds illuminated in the east are the remnants of a precipitation area which is drawing off. Red morning skies on the contrary are an indicator for a cloud bank corning up from the west and are considered as an early sign for precipitation. If they come together with misty conditions, the rain or snow will already start by mid-day.