There’s far more to rain than drops of water falling to the Earth’s surface!
Cultural attitudes towards rain differ across the world. In temperate climates for example, rain metaphorically has an often sad and negative connotation. But rain can also bring joy. In drought-stricken places, a downpour can lift people’s spirits and can quite literally be a lifesaving event.
Rain has inspired films, songs, books, art, and verse. It also plays an important part in religion and mythology: various Native American tribes are known to have historically conducted rain dances in an effort to encourage rainfall, and rainmaking rituals remain important in many African cultures.
Click through the following gallery and take a look at the role rain has played in societies around the world.