The symbolism of water dreams can include life, death, change, rebirth and renewal, to name a few. When analyzing dreams about water, take into account the type of water formation you are surrounded by (i.e., river, ocean, swimming pool, puddle, etc.), as each form signifies significantly different meanings. Notice the way the water made you feel in the dream, as your reactions may be slightly or greatly different than another individual’s. Also important is your location with respect to the water. How much water is there, does it flow smoothly or is the flow obstructed? Are you outside in the rain or inside taking a shower? In general, dreams about water are symbolic of your emotions in your waking life, the deepest recesses of your subconscious mind and your intuition.
SPECIFIC TYPES OF WATER DREAMS
Bath and Shower: This may indicate a need to take care of you and rid yourself of undo stress and leftover emotional conflicts. Subconsciously, it is a sign of self-renewal.
Boiling water: You have reached a breaking point in your waking life over certain situations. Emotional chaos and turbulence are starting to come to the surface.
Flood: You may be harboring feelings of being emotionally overwhelmed. It can also represent a crisis state that you need to address in your waking life.
Holy water: Somewhere in your waking life you may be looking for some type of spiritual help or guidance. Or it may represent that your mind, body and spirit is at peace.
Hurricane, Tsunami, Tornado, Tidal Wave: There is a negative force surrounding you that is beyond your control. You might also be dealing with unresolved feelings of stress and unhappiness in your waking life.
Muddy, dirty and stagnant water: You might be uncertain and confused about a situation and do not know how to take appropriate action. This can also indicate you are drowning in negative thoughts and emotions. You are not thinking or seeing clearly enough to find the proper solution to the problems in your life. It may also be an omen signaling some difficult times ahead. If the water is also stagnant, this symbolizes disappointment.
Ocean and Sea: It can represent emotions or mood, positive or negative, depending upon whether a calm or rough sea appears in the dream. It may also indicate your openness to unknown challenges or ideas. Further, it can signify that your outlook on life is positive and that your ability to achieve your goals is limitless.
Ponds and Lakes: These represents the current emotional state in your waking life. When the water is unsettled, this may indicate that you are not able to express your emotions freely or that you are being held back by something or someone. If the water is calm and still, it reflects your feelings of inner peace.
Rain: When rain falls on you, this can symbolize great sadness or that you are crying about something in your waking life. It can also represent emotional cleansing and the healing of unresolved past emotional sorrows or wounds.
Rivers and Streams: If the river or stream is tranquil and serene, this is an indication that you are at peace with changes that may be occurring in your waking life. If the river is tumultuous and fast flowing, this may be a sign that things are moving too quickly in your life and there is a need to slow down so that you can gain control. If you find yourself going with the flow of the river, chances are your life is taking you in a positive direction. If you are having trouble getting across the river, this can indicate that there are obstructions or blockages in your life keeping you from attaining your goals.
Splashed water: This is your wake-up call. It is time to stop holding yourself back or living in denial. Not heeding the message will result in stagnation and lack of accomplishment.
Swimming Pool: A swimming pool can represent the need or the want for relaxation. It can also mean that you have a need to finally deal with old emotional pains and cleanse yourself. It might be time to finally dive in and take some action.
Under water: You are beginning to explore a wealth of untapped gifts that have not yet surfaced from your subconscious mind. It can also reflect that you are trying to escape from overwhelming situations in your waking life. It also might be symbolic of returning to the womb, a time in which you had no responsibilities and were sheltered and protected.
Walking on water: You are in control of your emotions and have confidence and faith in yourself in your waking life.
Waterfall: This is an indication of emotional cleansing, revitalization and finding inner peace within your mind, body and spirit.
Waves: There are positive and negative aspects when dreaming of waves. If you find yourself successfully riding the waves, it is an indication of your ability to handle anything that gets in your way and to consistently go beyond the status quo. Depending on the force of the wave, it can either be an indication that you are moving toward your goals or you are being carried away from them.
All in all, dreams about water have a strong relationship to the emotions you are experiencing in your life. It is very important to understand what is truly going on in your waking life in order to be able to interpret the water symbolism in your dreams. You will learn much about your emotional needs, conflicts, unresolved feelings and disappointments. In so doing, you will experience rebirth and renewal, healing and cleansing achieve your goals, avert obstacles and learn how to keep your emotions under control for a healthy mind, body and spirit.
To learn more about dreams and their meanings, visit the Dreaming Room.