Meaning Of Water In A Dream
Last Updated: September 19th, 2023
By: Mark Stevens
Many different cultures and belief systems around the world see water as a representation of the subconscious mind. Therefore, it’s not surprising that water is a common symbol in dreams, since dreams and the subconscious are inextricably linked. But what is the spiritual meaning of water in a dream?
As with all dream interpretations, water can take on a variety of different meanings in dreams, depending on the context in which it appears.
For example, water is often seen as a symbol of cleansing and purification. It can also represent the dreamer’s need to let go of negative emotions or behaviours. Alternatively, water can be a symbol of fertility or new beginnings.
In some cases, water dreams may simply reflect the dreamer’s real-life concerns about their own hydration levels. If you go to bed thirsty, or having had a salt heavy diet during the day, you may find yourself dreaming of water for this physical reason and it may have no spiritual meaning at all.
However, if you find yourself dreaming about water on a regular basis, it may be worth considering what the deeper meaning of these dreams could be.
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What It Means To See Water In Your Dreams
Here are a 6 examples of what it might mean to see water in your dreams:
- If you dream that you’re swimming in water, it could represent your desire to escape from your current problems or situation. This is especially true if you’re being chased by something in the water while dreaming. If you’re swimming towards something in your dream it could be that rather than trying to escape something you’re actually pursuing a challenging goal. Swimming upstream will indicate that goal will likely be harder to achieve than if you’re swimming downstream.
- Alternatively, dreaming of swimming upstream in water could also represent your need to confront your fears head-on rather than trying to hide from them.
- If you dream that you’re drowning in water, it could symbolize feelings of being overwhelmed or hopeless. However, there could also be a physical reason for this particular dream that may be related to sleep apnoea which is a medical problem that warrants a discussion with your Doctor or healthcare professional. If you find yourself waking up regularly with your heart pounding and you gasp for breath as soon as you wake, you might be suffering with this issue. Seek medical advise if this happens.
- Dreaming of drowning could also suggest that you’re in over your head in some situation in your life and that perhaps you need to get some assistance – some form of life ring to lift you above the water again.
- If you dream of clean, crystal clear water, it could represent your purity of heart or intentions. Or it could also symbolize your need for cleansing or healing in some way. This is a very broad interpretation of dreaming of clean, crystal clear water and you’ll very much need to look at the other aspects of the dream to help figure out what it means.
- Instead though, if you dream of murky or dirty water, it could represent your shadow self or hidden aspects of yourself that you’re not proud of. This might be things that you need to look into more deeply and perhaps either forgive yourself for having done, or seek forgiveness from others perhaps. Again though, this is a broad interpretation and context is very much King with this.
- Alternatively, it could suggest that you’re wading through difficult times or emotions and would perhaps benefit by reaching out to others for some help.
As with all dream interpretation, it’s important to pay attention to the other elements in the dream as well as your own feelings and reactions in order to get a fuller understanding of its meaning. In many cases you’ll be able to give yourself some good clues by looking for the broader context of the dream.
What Water Symbolizes Spiritually
As in life itself, water is one of the most important elements in many spiritual traditions. Indeed, water is essential for all life as we know it, not just our own. Without water, plants wither and die. Without water we too will die. It’s just as essential as the air we breathe.
Spiritually, water is often seen as a purifier, a symbol of new beginnings, and a representation of the flow of life.
For some, water is a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of all things. It is a reminder that we are all made up of the same stuff – water – and that we are all connected.
Water is often used in rituals of cleansing and purification, both of yourself and of your space. It can be used to cleanse away negativity and to promote positive energy. In some traditions, water is also seen as a symbol of new beginnings.
It is associated with birth, rebirth, and new beginnings. This symbolism can be seen in the way that many cultures use water in their baby naming ceremonies.
Water is also a representation of the flow of life. It is constantly moving and changing, just as you are. It is a reminder that life is always moving forward, even when it doesn’t feel like it. No matter what your spiritual tradition, water is likely to have an important role in it.
Take some time to reflect on what water means to you and if you’re dreaming of water specifically then look at the context of the rest of the dream to help find its meaning.
Running Water Dream Meaning
If you have a dream about seeing running water, it could symbolize your need for cleansing or rejuvenation. The water may also represent your emotions and reflect how you are feeling in your waking life. Alternatively, the dream may be a metaphor for something that is “flowing” in your life. If the water in your dream is running smoothly, say from a tap/faucet then it could symbolize that you feel your life is presently running smoothly. But if it’s turbulent then perhaps you feel your life is turbulent or about to become so.
If the running water is clean and clear, it can represent our feelings of refreshment, newness, and vitality. We may be experiencing a time of positive change in our lives. But, if the water is murky or dirty, it may represent our shadow side and the negative emotions we are repressing. The running water may be a sign that we need to release these emotions in order to move forward in our lives.
Seeing running water in a dream could represent new beginnings, new life, or new relationships.
Water is also often seen as a cleansing agent. So, seeing running water in a dream could symbolize washing away negativity or getting rid of bad habits.
On a more physical level, dreaming of seeing running water could simply be a need or desire for more water in your waking life. This could be your body’s way of telling you that you’re dehydrated and need to drink more fluids.
Finally, it could be a sign that you’re feeling emotionally drained and in need of some self-care.
Whatever the case may be, take some time to reflect on the context of other things in your dream and what they might mean for you. By understanding the meaning of your dream, you can better apply its message to your waking life.
Sea Water Dream Meaning
When you dream of the sea, it can represent a number of different things in your life depending on what’s happening presently in your life and the context surrounding the dream.
The ocean is a powerful source of energy and life, and it can be a symbol of your subconscious mind. The sea can also be a metaphor for your emotions. If the water is calm, it can represent your feelings of peace and contentment. If the water is choppy or stormy, it can symbolize your inner turmoil and emotional turbulence.
Dreams about the sea can also be a way for your subconscious to process your feelings about change. The ebb and flow of the tides can represent the cycles of change in your life, and the vastness of the ocean can represent the infinite possibilities that life offers you.
You may be able to combine the interpretation of dreams about the sea with some of the other interpretations in this post – for example, dreaming of drowning in a stormy sea would suggest you’re having significant overwhelming issues in your waking life. Whereas sailing toward something on a calm sea would indicate a smooth passage to whatever goal you might be wanting to achieve at the moment.
No matter what your personal interpretation of dreaming about the sea may be, there is no doubt that the ocean is a powerful symbol in our dreams. The next time you dream of the sea, take a moment to reflect on what it might be telling you about your innermost thoughts and feelings.
Dreaming Of Rivers Or Streams
Rivers and streams are often seen as a place of refuge, a place to relax and escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It’s no wonder then that dreaming of rivers or streams is a very common dream symbol.
Rivers and streams can often represent the flow of emotion in our lives. They can be a symbol of your subconscious mind, and the way that your emotions can sometimes get away from you.
Dreams about rivers or streams can also be a sign that we need to let go of something, or someone, in our lives.
If you find yourself dreaming of rivers or streams often, take some time to reflect on what might be going on in your life that is causing you stress or anxiety. Is there something you need to let go of? Are you holding onto something that is no longer serving you?
Rivers and streams generally symbolize the passage of time. They can also represent the flow of emotion or energy in our lives. Dreams about rivers or streams often suggest that we are moving through a certain phase in our lives, or that we are processing some emotion.
Rivers can also be interpreted literally, as in a dream about travelling down a river. In this case, the river may represent the journey of life, or some specific journey you are taking. If the river is calm, this may symbolize easy progress. If the river is turbulent, it may suggest challenges along the way.
In some cultures, rivers are also associated with the underworld. So, a dream about a river may also be a metaphor for death or rebirth. Don’t panic though, this almost never means a physical death but usually a need for something in your life to die and be re-born anew. This is similar, but perhaps more dramatic than the notion we looked at above regarding letting go of something.
Dreaming Of Water In The House
When you dream of water in the house, it can symbolize a number of different things. In this section we’re looking at dreams where the water in your house originates from something within the house itself, rather than from an outside flood. For outside floods that threaten (or do) come into the house, we look at that in a later section.
Dreaming of water in the house can represent your emotions, such as feelings of being overwhelmed or submerged. Of course this can depend on how you dream of water in the house. If you dream of the house being fully flooded this could represent a far greater feeling of being overwhelmed than if you just dream of a slowly overflowing bathtub full of water for example.
It can also represent a situation in your life that is causing you stress. This is because dreaming of water in your house that is in places you wouldn’t want water to be would of course cause stress.
Alternatively, water in the home can also be a representation of cleansing and new beginnings. If you are going through a difficult time, dreaming of water in the house can be a sign that you are ready to let go of what is weighing you down and move on.
Consider what the water represents to you in this dream. Is it calm and serene, or is it chaotic and destructive? Water can be both positive and negative depending on your interpretation. If the water is calm, it may represent your emotions. This can be a good or bad thing depending on how you feel about your current emotional state. If you feel good about yourself, the calm water may represent your contentment. But, if you’re feeling down or stressed, the calm water may represent your feelings of sadness or anxiety, and may in fact be a hint that you need to reach out for some help.
If the water is chaotic, it may represent your unconscious mind. This is often a bad sign, as it can mean you’re not in control of your own thoughts and emotions. The chaos can also represent repressed anger or other negative emotions that are bubbling up to the surface.
Finally, water can also represent your spiritual life. This is usually a good thing, as it means you’re in touch with your inner self and are open to new experiences. Dreams of water can also be a sign that you need to pay attention to your intuition or gut feelings.
No matter what the water represents to you, it’s important to pay attention to the other symbols in your dream. The context of the dream will give you clues as to what the water means for you specifically.
Standing In Water Dream Meaning
When you dream about standing in water, it can symbolize a number of things. Water is often seen as a cleansing force, so it could represent purification or new beginnings. Alternatively, because water is also associated with the emotions, it could suggest that you are processing some deep feelings.
If the water is murky or stagnant, it could suggest that you are wading through some challenging emotional territory. If the water is flowing and clear, it might represent the refreshing and renewing power of your emotions. Whatever the specific details of your dream, standing in water is likely to be a sign that you are in touch with your feelings and ready to make some changes in your life.
Water is a conductor, so this could mean you are ready to channel spiritual energies or begin a spiritual awakening. This, if you’re not already doing these things, would definitely represent a big change in your life.
If you are unsure about what the dream means, consider talking to a therapist or dream analyst who can help you explore the symbolism and find meaning in your dreams.
Dreaming Of Flooding Water Meaning
If you find yourself dreaming about water that is flooding, it can symbolize feelings of being overwhelmed. This can be in regards to emotion, such as feeling overwhelmed with sadness or anger. It can also be in regards to a situation in your life that feels out of control or unmanageable. The water can also represent your subconscious and the many thoughts and feelings that you may be keeping hidden. The flooding water can be a sign that it is time to let go of what is no longer serving you and to start fresh.
If you dreamed of water flooding your home or another building, this may represent feelings of being overwhelmed in your life. The dream may be a warning to take action to protect yourself from real dangers or consequences. Alternatively, the flooding water may symbolize repressed emotions or feelings that are suddenly coming to the surface. If you were able to keep the water out or protect yourself from it, this may represent your ability to cope with or overcome a challenging situation.
Many people have experienced a dream in which they are standing in water that gradually rises around them. The water may rise rapidly and threaten to engulf them, or it may rise slowly, gradually surrounding them. Flood dreams often represent feelings of being overwhelmed, out of control, or at the mercy of some powerful external force. The dream may be symbolic of a current situation in your life that is causing you anxiety or making you feel overwhelmed. Perhaps you are facing a difficult decision or a challenging situation. The water in the dream may represent the emotions you are experiencing—feelings of being overwhelmed or out of control.
The dream may also be a warning from your subconscious mind to pay attention to something in your waking life. Perhaps you are ignoring a problem that is slowly getting worse. The rising water in the dream may be a metaphor for the situation you are in—it is gradually getting worse and may soon overwhelm you if you don’t take action.
If you have a flood dream, pay attention to the details of the dream and what it might be telling you about your current situation. If the dream is symbolic of something in your life, consider what you need to do to regain control or address the problem. If the dream is a warning, take action to prevent the situation from escalating.
Summary
There are many different spiritual meanings of water in a dream, depending on the context of the dream, the differing things that might also present within the dream and the nature of events in your waking life presently. But in general, dreaming of water is quite symbolic of life itself, whether in terms of going through a cleansing (or needing a cleansing) or to depict the course of your life presently and going into the future. Noting how the water appears in your dream, such as clear or murky, calm or turbulent can give you great insights into your waking life and can potentially help you navigate different aspects of it.
If you’re having recurring dreams of water, you could consider contacting a specialist dream interpreter who can help you with the intricate nuances of your life and dream which an article like this can’t. Being able to fill in the extra context of the dream can sometimes help work out what it means.
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