The term "devil's rain," also known as a sunshower, refers to a specific folk belief primarily found in the Southern United States. It is believed to occur when it rains while the sun is shining.
The Devil's Wife and Her Tears
According to tradition, a sunshower isn't just a natural weather event; it's a sign of something more sinister. The folklore suggests that:
- When the sun shines during rainfall, it means "the devil's beating his wife."
- The rain itself is not merely water falling from the sky; it's believed to be the tears of the devil's wife.
- The devil is said to be angered by God creating a beautiful sunny day and he expresses his anger by beating his wife.
Here’s a summarized table for better understanding:
| Aspect | Explanation |
|---|---|
| The Event | Rain falls while the sun is shining. |
| The Belief | The devil is beating his wife because he is angry God made a beautiful day. |
| The Rain | The tears of the devil's wife. |
| Location | Primarily in the Southern United States. |
Other Variations and Interpretations
While the "devil's beating his wife" is a common interpretation, similar folklore exists across different cultures, sometimes with variations in the specific roles of the characters. Regardless of the variation, the core element is usually that the rain and sunshine occurring together are associated with negative, often violent, imagery.
Why is this interesting?
- Cultural Significance: These types of folklore tell us about the relationship between people and nature in a specific geographic region.
- Storytelling: These narratives highlight the way people try to explain natural phenomena through stories.
- Regionalism: The specific phrase and the associated story are unique to certain places.
In conclusion, "devil's rain" is a folk term for a sunshower, particularly in the Southern United States, and is traditionally interpreted as the tears of the devil’s wife as she is being beaten by the devil in anger over a beautiful day created by God.
