Pluviophilia: a special fascination with rain

In the world there are places where it rains almost every day and others where it can take years before you see a drop of rain. Even so, whether due to its frequency or its absence, rain has awakened the interest of human beings, it has become a symbol of romance, transition and transformation.

It is a recurring topic in literature and cinema, and its sound has even inspired numerous musical compositions. There is, however, a type of fascination with this natural phenomenon, pluviophilia, that goes beyond simple taste or curiosity.

Pluviophilia is not a category in any clinical classification. It simply refers to the love of rain and the behaviors that derive from it. In this article we will learn about the characteristics of pluviophiles and some curiosities about this particular hobby.

Characteristics of pluviophilia

People who feel this special attraction to rain are usually distinguished by two great characteristics:

They sensory enjoyment of the rain

First of all, pluviophiles experience enormous sensory pleasure associated with rain. This means that all (or almost all) of the senses are involved in enjoying the rain.

On the one hand, They love watching raindrops fall, either directly or through the windows.. Contemplation of the rain, following the path that each drop traces on the window glass, seeing how it crashes to the ground gives them an enormous feeling of tranquility and joy, allows them to reconcile with nature and give themselves a moment of pause and reflection.

On the other hand, They have an exceptional taste for getting soaked in downpours or, at least, for feeling the drizzle on their skin.. Pluviophilia causes the sense of touch to be activated by contact with rain and generate feelings of well-being and freedom. This pleasure of feeling the rain even puts them at risk of suffering from colds or other respiratory conditions.

Added to this, pluviophile people love the sound of rain. There is research that shows that the sound of storms or drizzle is useful for relaxing us or enhancing our concentration, since in general they are soft and monotonous sounds. However, these people are particularly fascinated by the sound of rain and, of course, by the sensory combination of seeing and hearing it simultaneously.

Finally, These people love the smell that remains after it rains. Petrichor, that is, that smell of wet earth that we can smell after a downpour, is a source of delight for pluviophiles. This smell is the result of the combination of elements such as geosmin, a molecule produced by a particular type of actinobacteria, vegetable oils and other substances present in the earth and that are activated by rainwater. For pluviophiles, petrichor is associated with sensations of change, transition and renewal.

They like gray days

Another great characteristic of these people is the relationship they have with gray skies. Unlike most people, Those who love rain find a gray sky loaded with dark clouds calming and comfortable. They may even feel encouraged on a rainy day and upset on sunny days.

What is the origin of pluviophilia?

Like any hobby, It is not possible to determine an exact and univocal origin of the love for rain.. Taking this into account, perhaps there may be an association between rain and memories of calm and happy moments from our childhood.

This interest may also be related to the climate in which we grew up or in which we have lived the longest. That is to say, this fascination with rain may have appeared because it is a very frequent and daily natural phenomenon, or because it is scarce and occasional.

Finally, It is possible that pluviophilia may appear in some people who suffer from heat intolerance.this will make them prefer cold and rainy climates, since hot climates can cause allergies, rashes, inflammation or sunburn.

In any case, it is no coincidence that rain appears repeatedly in poetry and in the most beautiful and dramatic images of cinema. Rain has the power to inspire us, free our imagination and reconnect us with nature and the hidden beauty of the world.

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