In the biblical account of Noah's Ark, God gave Noah a rainbow as the sign of the covenant after the Flood.
Genesis presents the rainbow in the clouds as a reminder of a promise between God, Noah, every living creature, and the earth. The covenant states that waters will not again become a flood destroying all life on earth in the same way described in the story.
The sign is therefore more than a weather image within the narrative. It is a visible reminder of an agreement and is linked to the survival of living creatures beyond Noah's family. Genesis specifically broadens the covenant beyond humans to include animals.
The rainbow is often called the “bow” in translations because the Hebrew wording evokes a warrior's bow placed in the clouds. This image has led commentators to understand the sign as a weapon set aside, reinforcing the promise of peace.