The shepherd looking up at the red morning sky

Red Sky at Night

Red sky at night,
Shepherd’s delight.
Red sky in the morning,
Shepherd’s warning.

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Listen as female American:

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Posted in All Rhymes, Animals, Mother Goose Classics, Nature & Seasons

Tagged farming, morning, night, red, shepherd, sky, weather

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Meaning

This traditional proverb, found in several variants, is advice given to shepherds or sailors for predicting the next day’s weather: a vivid red sky at sunset suggests good weather ahead, while a red sky at sunrise signals a coming storm or poor weather. The rhyme distills generations of weather lore into a memorable couplet, teaching an empirical observation about atmospheric patterns.

Origin

The phrase dates back thousands of years and appears in the Bible (Matthew 16:2–3), as well as in Shakespeare’s works. The rhyme became common folklore across Europe and appears in print as early as the 19th century, though the observation itself is far older.

Time Period

Originates from ancient times; the modern rhyme form gained popularity in the 1800s and is widespread in English-speaking culture today.

Why It Became Popular

It offers simple, memorable weather advice and is widely adaptable for different professions (e.g., shepherds and sailors). The visual imagery is instantly relatable and reinforces basic meteorological knowledge, making it suitable for adults and children alike.

Structure and Style

Meter: Iambic, with short, declarative lines
Rhyme Scheme: AABB
Line Count: Standard four lines (two couplets)
Style Notes: Proverbial, didactic, succinct

Themes

Weather prediction
Agriculture and seafaring
Folklore and science
Observation of nature

Language Notes

“Shepherd’s” and “sailors’” are used depending on regional or occupational tradition. “Delight” and “warning” provide a direct cause-and-effect association between nature and human action.

Moral or Lesson

The rhyme demonstrates that careful attention to nature can yield practical advice, reinforcing the value of observation and respect for natural patterns.

Historical or Cultural Notes

Besides the Bible and Shakespeare, the rhyme has analogs in French, Occitan, and many other cultures worldwide. Scientific explanation confirms some truth to the rhyme at mid-latitudes, due to the way weather systems and atmospheric particles affect sky color at sunrise and sunset.

Notable Variants

Some versions use “pink” instead of “red” or alter the professions. Other forms expand on the rhyme to include more weather signs or “forlorn” in place of “warning.”

Appearances in Media or Literature

Cited in literature, weather lore collections, and educational materials on natural science and folklore.

Suggested Activities

Weather Log: Track sunset and sunrise colors to predict weather with children.
Art Project: Illustrate red sky scenes and compare the rhyme to local sayings.
Storytime: Read and discuss versions from the Bible and Shakespeare.
Science Lesson: Explore the real atmospheric causes of red skies at dusk and dawn.

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Red Sky at Night

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