Let it Rain Trivia Quiz

Answer: Indra

Indra's ability to create rain is often described through his control over thunder, lightning, and the elements. He is believed to wield the power of the heavens and can influence weather patterns, particularly the monsoon rains that are crucial for agricultural fertility in the Indian subcontinent.

Indra's role as a rainmaker is depicted in various stories and scriptures. One of the most well-known narratives involves his battles against the demon Vritra, who had seized the waters of the world, causing drought and chaos. Indra engaged in a fierce battle with Vritra and ultimately defeated him, releasing the waters that had been held captive. This act symbolized the breaking of the drought and the restoration of rain to the land.

In some stories, Indra is also associated with the Maruts, a group of storm deities who aid him in bringing rain. Together with the Maruts, he creates thunderstorms, lightning, and rain to nourish the earth and ensure the prosperity of living beings.

Answer: Hawaii

Lono is one of the four principal gods in Hawaiian religion, alongside Kane, Ku, and Kanaloa. He is associated with various aspects of life and nature in Hawaiian culture, including rainfall, agriculture, fertility, music, and peace. The exact mechanisms by which Lono is believed to bring rain are rooted in the cultural and spiritual beliefs of the Hawaiian people and vary among different Hawaiian communities. Lono's role in bringing rain is especially prominent during the Makahiki season, a time of celebration, rest, and reflection.

His presence and blessings during this season are believed to be essential for the success of crops, which depend on rain.

Answer: Zeus

Hellenism (also called "Hellenic Polytheism") is a modern religion that involves the revival or reconstruction of religious practices, beliefs, and worship of the ancient Greek pantheon of gods and goddesses. In this pantheon Zeus is the most powerful deity who holds a central position in the hierarchy of divine beings.

Zeus as a rainmaker is typically depicted as wielding thunderbolts, which are believed to be the source of lightning and thunder. When Zeus hurls his thunderbolts, they can cause atmospheric disturbances that lead to the formation of rain clouds and, ultimately, rain. The imagery of Zeus using his thunderbolts to initiate storms and rain symbolizes his authority over the elements and his power to bring about change in the natural world.

Answer: He sheds tears that mix with dew

In Maori religion, Tāwhirimātea (or Tawhiri) is the god of weather, wind, clouds and storms. He is a son of Papatūānuku (earth mother) and Ranginui (sky father). Tāwhirimātea was said to mix his tears with dew to create rain, symbolizing the emotional and elemental connections between the divine and the natural world.

Tāwhirimātea's children are associated with different natural phenomena, including clouds, fog or mist, and are often depicted as personified elements of the natural world.

Answer: Dragon

Dragons hold a significant place in Chinese culture, symbolizing strength, power, and good fortune. They are often linked to natural elements, including rain and water.

According to Chinese belief, dragons are divine beings and associated with bodies of water such as rivers, lakes, and oceans. It is believed that the movement of dragons in the skies and their interactions with the clouds could influence the weather patterns, including the arrival of rain.

Answer: Tlaloc

The Nahuas, indigenous to Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, constitute Mexico's largest indigenous group and rank as the second largest in El Salvador. They adhere to Roman Catholicism with a strong pre-Columbian influence and to the Aztec religion.

Tlaloc is a major deity in the Aztec pantheon primarily worshipped as the god of rain, fertility, and water. The imagery of a maize plant growing from his body symbolizes his role in nourishing the land and ensuring bountiful harvests. Tlaloc resides in a heavenly palace known as "Tlalocan" located atop the mountains. When people need rain for their crops, they believe that Tlaloc opens the gates of his palace, allowing the stored waters to flow downward.

Answer: Thor

Heathenry is a modern Neopagan religious movement that seeks to revive and reconstruct the beliefs, practices, and cultural heritage of the ancient Germanic and Norse peoples. It developed in Europe during the early 20th century.

The god associated with thunder and rain, and known for wielding a powerful hammer that causes thunderclaps, is Thor. He is known for his strength, courage, and role as a protector of both gods and humans. Thor's hammer, known as Mjölnir, is his most iconic weapon. When he swings Mjölnir, it creates thunder and lightning, along with the characteristic sound of thunderclaps. While the ancient texts do not go into great detail about the mechanics of this process, the symbolism implies that the force of Thor's hammer strikes caused atmospheric disturbances, leading to storms and rainfall.

Answer: He breathes and exhales clouds

Izanagi's role in creating rain is often described through the symbolism of his breath or exhalation. While the exact details may vary across different versions of the story, the general idea is that Izanagi's breath gives rise to clouds, which in turn lead to the formation of rain.

When Izanagi exhales, his divine breath is believed to transform into clouds in the sky. These clouds gather moisture and condense, eventually reaching a point where the moisture falls from the sky in the form of raindrops. This connection between Izanagi's breath and the creation of clouds and rain symbolizes his influence over natural elements and his ability to shape the world around him.

Answer: Burmese

Thagyamin is frequently depicted holding a conch shell in one hand and a yak-tail fly-whisk in the other, while being either seated or standing on a three-headed white elephant known as Airavata. He is recognized as the sovereign of the celestial realm Trāyastriṃśa. He is king of the gods and one of the deities of lightning, thunder, and rain.

It is noteworthy, however, that in Burmese culture, there isn't a singular rain god as commonly found in some other cultures. Rain and weather-related elements in Burmese beliefs might be represented differently, and deities associated with rain may not be as prominent or widely recognized as in other cultures. Instead, there may be a variety of spirits, nats, or supernatural forces that are associated with rain, fertility, and other natural phenomena.

Answer: Rainbow Serpent

The Rainbow Serpent is often associated with the creation of rain through its actions and movements. While the specific details may vary among different Aboriginal cultures and stories, the general concept is that the Rainbow Serpent's movements are believed to bring about rain and water sources.

In some versions of the Dreamtime stories, the Rainbow Serpent is said to travel across the land, creating waterways, rivers, and waterholes as it moves. Its slithering path is believed to leave behind the channels that become watercourses. When the Rainbow Serpent enters a waterhole or body of water, it is said to stir the water and cause ripples or waves, symbolizing the arrival of rain.