“It takes both sunshine and rain to make a rainbow” is an inspirational saying that has been printed on many images. The saying means that there will be “good days” (sunshine) and “bad days” (rain) to produce something beautiful (such as a rainbow).
   
Authorship of the saying is unknown, but early citations have been associated with masonic organizations. “Remember It Takes Both Sunshine and Rain to Make a Beautiful Rainbow” was printed in the Arcadia (CA) Tribune on January 26, 1972, when it was associated with Job’s Daughters International. “It takes both Sunshine and Rain to make a Rainbow” was printed in the Malvern (IA) Leader on September 27, 1973, when it was associated with the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls (IORG). “It takes both sunshine and rain to make a rainbow” was printed in the Hobbs (NM) Daily News on January 12, 1975, when it was again associated with the IORG.
     
     
26 January 1972, Arcadia (CA) Tribune, pg. 20, col. 1 photo caption:
BLUE AND GOLD PARASOLS—Newly installed Honored Queen Louise Gordon chose blue and gold net parasols to symbolize her chosen term theme of “Remember It Takes Both Sunshine and Rain to Make a Beautiful Rainbow.”
(International Order of Job’s Daughters.—ed.)
   
27 September 1973, Malvern (IA) Leader, “Marsha Miller Was Installed as W.A. (Worthy Advisor—ed.) Of Rainbow,” pg. 2, col. 4:
Marsha’s theme, “It takes both Sunshine and Rain to make a Rainbow,” was explained.
(Order of Rainbow for Girls.—ed.)
 
Google Books
Proceedings of the National Convention
National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association  
Volume 70, Parts 1974-1981
1974
Pg. 757:
We know it takes both sunshine and rain to make a rainbow, and we have our rainbow here in Baltimore.
 
12 January 1975, Hobbs (NM) Daily News, “Rainbow Assembly Installs Officers,” pg. 14, col. 6:
For her term, Miss (Robbi—ed.) Garrett has selected as her theme, “It takes both sunshine and rain to make a rainbow.”
(Order of Rainbow for Girls.—ed.)
 
11 December 1987, Mason Valley News (Yerington, NV), “Smith Valley News,” sec. 2, pg. 5, col. 4:
She (Martha Terrell—ed.) also shares a quote which should be of interest to all of us: “It takes sunshine and rain to make a rainbow.”
 
3 July 2003, Atlanta (GA) Daily World, “Words” by Tillman Ward, pg. 1, col. 1:
RAIN?
It takes both sunshine—and rain—to make a rainbow.
   
Google Books
Climbing the Rainbow
By Joy N. Hulme  
New York, NY: HarperCollins
2004
Pg. 13:
“It takes both sunshine and rain to make a rainbow,” Papa had added. “We’ll have some bad times and some good ones. That’s the only way we can find out if our backbones are made of starch or jelly.”
 
26 July 2004, Tribune (Welland, ON), “United extends win streak,” pg. B1:
“I’m glad to finally score, but going through a slump can help you focus sometimes,” the Welland striker (Mike Gmaz—ed.) said. “It takes both sunshine and rain to make a rainbow.”
     
Twitter
Jules Chenette
@jules_chenette
It takes both sunshine and rain to make a rainbow
9:19 AM - 14 Jul 2007
 
Google Books
Sandy Sez
By Sandra Steinbach
Xlibris (Xlibris.com)
2017
Pg. ?:
“It takes both sunshine and rain to make a rainbow.” This saying is one that my neighbor, Gloria Brydon, gave me years ago. It is in a pretty frame, and it is hanging by the door where my patients exit.
 
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Inspirational Quotes
@keepyouupquotes
“It takes both sunshine and rain to make a rainbow.”, Anonymous
#quotesoftheday #quotes #quotestoliveby #dailymotivation #quote #motivational
11:15 PM - 20 Jun 2019