The Sea as a Symbol of the Unconscious and Inner Depths
The sea, with its vast surface and hidden depths, symbolizes the human experience of the known and unknown aspects of self. It represents the enormity of our inner world and the relationship we have with the universe, much of which remains mysterious and unexplored. The sea holds treasures, curiosities, and history, symbolizing our own subconscious mind and its hidden aspects.
Symbolism of the Sea
The sea is a powerful image representing the boundary between the unconscious and the conscious mind. It connects to life’s origins, wisdom that is locked in our processes of existence, and the immense energy or consciousness within which we exist. Our lives are a small part of this infinite energy.
For example: ‘My husband and I were standing looking at the sea’s surface. It was just falling night. I saw a mass of dark shapes, thought it would be a school of fish. Then we were looking at water birds, maybe ducks, again dark shapes as the light had almost gone. Then there was a hole in the sea, like a belly button, I was wondering what it was, how was it being made, was there something under the water? Something very big was coming up to the surface very close to me. It shot me to wake’ (Ginny Q).
The Sea as a Reflection of Inner Being
The image of the sea shows Ginny sensing there are enormous depths to her own being, and something big—a previously unconscious complex of insights and feelings—is becoming conscious.
The sea often represents our emotions, life processes, and the origins of life. It symbolizes the massive drives within us, such as the urge toward independence, mating, and parenthood. It’s a symbol of infinite energy or consciousness in which our existence is only a tiny part.
Going Under the Sea
Going under the sea can symbolize bringing internal contents to consciousness, recalling the womb experience, or surrendering the ego. It can also represent the contemplation of death.
Sense of Depth and Hugeness
If there is a sense of depth and hugeness, it may indicate that we are going beyond the boundaries of our usual experience, which are typically set by our conscious mind.
Waves and Tides
- Waves: Impulses, feelings, and emotions, such as sexuality, anxiety, and anger.
- Tide: The rising and falling of emotions like love, pleasure, or sexuality. The outgoing tide may also refer to aging or changes in life's phases.
Example: ‘I am either standing at the edge of the sea or near, when suddenly enormous tidal waves appear in the distance and are coming closer. I know they will engulf me, I turn and run away. Sometimes they do overtake me, other times I wake up’ (Mrs AV).
Running from Emotions
This dream illustrates how we can run from emotions such as pleasure, insight, pain, or fear. The sea, as a symbol of the unconscious, represents both the emotions and the greater truths we often avoid confronting.
See Also: Fish, Sea Creatures
[1]The Sea as a Symbol in Dreams: Unconscious, Creativity, and Transformation
(1) The sea may represent the unconscious. Putting out to sea may symbolize an exploration of the unconscious. Drowning may represent the fear of having your conscious mind swamped by unconscious contents—repressed emotions and the like. It may also indicate that your conscious ego needs to submit to your unconscious for a while, leading to further enrichment and the development of your personality.
See Also: Baptism.
Sea as a Mother Symbol
(2) The sea may be a mother symbol. If so, it may represent either your own mother or Mother Nature. Drowning or fear of drowning in this context symbolizes the fear of being suffocated by a dominating mother or mother-attachment, or it may reflect an unconscious death wish.
See Also: Dead/ Death.
Sea and Feminine Energy
(3) The sea may symbolize the feminine, or any aspect of it (e.g., intuition, receptiveness). For a male dreamer, going to sea may symbolize getting acquainted with the feminine aspect of himself—the anima.
Sea as Creative Potential
(4) The sea may symbolize creative potential. In mythology, water existed prior to creation, and the creator-god wrestled with the sea-goddess, either making the world from her dismembered body or impregnating her so that she gave birth to the world. Psychologically, the sea may symbolize latent raw materials within your psyche, waiting for the creation of your true and total self.
Mystical Interpretations of the Sea
(5) In mystic-meditative traditions, the multiplicity of natural phenomena is seen as different forms of one ultimately real thing (God, Brahman, Ultimate Reality, the One). The One is commonly symbolized by the ocean, while the individual is symbolized by a drop of water, which eventually rejoins the sea from which it originally came. Freudian interpretations may suggest that this symbolizes a death wish, while Jungians would see it as a message from your unconscious about the disillusionment awaiting you if you continue to build your life around the ego instead of acknowledging the One (life-force, God, or another concept).
See Also: Introduction.
See Also: Baptism, Dead/ Death.
[2]Sea Dream Interpretation
The sea and oceans are considered the source of life and the end of it. “To go back to the sea” is like “to return to the mother”: to die. The sea is one of the basic archetypes, as it also represents the collective unconscious and universal love. This dream, therefore, is related to your interior and the interpretation can be almost literal. Thus, a calm sea indicates tranquility; if agitated, it predicts difficulties; if you fall into it, illness or problems caused by unbridled passions; if you let yourself sink, it reflects a pessimistic outlook on life; if you struggle to reach the surface, it indicates that you are fighting with all your strength. The sea also represents the original chaos, the beginning and end of everything. Its fluidity is like the unconscious that can never be fully plumbed, grasped, nor understood.
It is the boundless freedom and yet comforting sweetness of the mother’s womb. (See Also: WATER, DROWNING, BLUE, BOAT, LAKE, MOTHER, MOON)
In primitive myths, the sea existed before the world. It was uterus of other living beings. The sea is a symbol of raw materials and is associated with the creative potential of our being. From a spiritual perspective, it can represent the whole. We are each the drops that form part of it. According to some superstitions, falling into the sea ensures good health; and dive into it and emerge just before waking ensures that current difficulties will be overcome.
[3]Sea Dream Interpretation
Vision: If the sea is calm and the sky is clear: peaceful days are ahead.
If the seas are stormy and the waves high: you feel threatened and are afraid of “stormy” times. You are swim- ming: friendly, if invisible, energies are carrying you right now. Falling into the water: a tragic event. Drowning: a harmful situation has been avoided, because you are discovering the substance of your being. Emerging from the sea: a new beginning, one that is in harmony with your very essence.
A man dreaming of standing on a beach means he wants to be free and independent.
Depth Psychology: The sea is a symbol of the collective unconscious; you can trust it to carry you. It may also be a symbol of your feminine, motherly side—all life originated in the sea. Unconscious thoughts, feelings, perceptions, and hopes are at home here and are now beginning to surface and become conscious. This is the sea on which the boat of your life is sailing.
See Also: Archetypes, River, Ship, Water.
[4]Sea Dream Interpretation
Our deepest fears are represented by the sea.
The state of the sea you dream of is significant.
A stormy sea can suggest passionate, fiery emotions that threaten to take control.
The threat of being swept out to sea suggests fear of emotional overwhelm.
• Looming danger is represented by huge waves, rough seas and the incoming tide. What’s approaching in your life that threatens to engulf you? • Sometimes dreams of this nature occur when you’re worried about finances and feel like you’re drowning in unpaid bills.
• Or this dream can signify fear itself - all those worries and anxieties that occur during the daily ebb and flow of life.
The sea also relates to our origins, it is a source of creativity, of fertility and birth.
[5]Sea Dream Interpretation
To dream of hearing the lonely sighing of the sea, foretells that you will be fated to spend a weary and unfruitful life devoid of love and comradeship. Dreams of the sea, prognosticate unfulfilled anticipations, while pleasures of a material form are enjoyed, there is an inward craving for pleasure that flesh cannot requite.
For a young woman to dream that she glides swiftly over the sea with her lover, there will come to her sweet fruition of maidenly hopes, and joy will stand guard at the door of the consummation of changeless vows.
See Also: Ocean.
[6]Sea Dream Interpretation
Dreams about the sea are strong signals from the unconscious mind.
If you dream of being lost at sea, you are unsure about your feelings for a certain person.
A stormy sea or one with sea monsters suggests confusion and anxiety in the dreamer. On the other hand, a peaceful sea suggets the dreamer is comfortable with herself and her sexuality.
If you dream of catching a big fish from the sea, a wonderful opportunity will come to you. Also see “Currents.”
[7]Sea Dream Interpretation
1. Mother.
2. If drowning in sea, being overwhelmed.
3. Emotionally insecure, particularly with one’s mother.
4. If calmly swimming, riding or paddling along, good relationship with mother or maternal figure.
5. If fighting successfully against the tide, making progress in difficult relationship.
6. Unconscious mind.
7. Play on words which indicates one should “see” something.
[8]Sea- Dream Interpretation
Waters generally symbolize the emotions and the unconscious. They could also represent the collective unconscious or your soul experiences. All dream interpretations depend on the individuals personal belief system and life experiences.
[9]Sea Dream Interpretation
(See Also: Ocean), A maiden who dreams of being on a calm, blue sea with her sweetheart has every reason for expecting a happy outcome to her love affair.
[10]Sea Dream Interpretation
A long journey.
A calm sea means that it will be a successful and enjoyable journey A rough sea indicates many problems and worries.
[11]Sea Dream Interpretation
The sea can be symbolic of many nations and people groups, Ps. 65:5-7.
The sea can also symbolize current situation in life
[12]Sea Dream Meaning
a vision of the sea is interpreted upon 6 sides: sovereign, leader, scholar & knowledge & wealth, great labour.
[13]Sea Dream Meaning
A calm sea, especially if the sunshine is bright, foretells smooth sailing on the sea of life.
[14]Sea Dream Meaning
See Also: Ocean. Important is how the water and the weather are; sometimes a symbol of obstacles.
[15]Sea Dream Meaning
Placid and smooth denotes happiness; rough and turbulent, sorrow (Gypsy).
[16]Sea Dream Meaning
See Also: Buildings, places metaphors.
1. The Nations/world/people.
[17]Sea Dream Meaning
Intuition, insights, emotions ruling your life
[18]Sea Dream Meaning
See Also: OCEAN, RIVER, similar words.
[19]Sea Dream Meaning
(See Also: Ocean)
[20]Sea Dream Meaning
See “water”
[21]Sea Dream Meaning
See Also: Water
[22]Sea. Dream Interpretation
[23]Sea Dream Meaning
To dream of walking upon the sea is good to him that would travel; as also to a servant, and to him who would take a wife, or who hath a lawsuit; to a young man, this dream is love of a delightful woman; to a woman it signifies she lives a desolate life. To dream you walk in the sea, or on the shore, or catch fish, is a bad dream.
[24]Sea Dream Interpretation
lucky numbers: 06-08-13-26-29-38
being adrift in a: loss of control in determining your life’s direction.
dead calm, a: a lonely life due to your reserved, self-centered tendencies.
with a loved one: have a sense of security though business is slow.
blue, a: business affairs are running smoothly.
dirty-colored, a: smal profit from a weary, unfruitful and toxic life.
falling into the: go back to the beginning and regroup.
and clutching a piece of wood: wil attain goal with hard work.
waking upon: a woman’s love wil cause ruin and dishonor.
girl dreaming of a stormy: deep anguish because of a double-cross.
gull in flight: freedom to overcome danger by the safest method.
hovering over the: pick your belief system and commit to it.
many, in formation: your courageous defiance within corporate situation.
horse, harnessing a: wil join an RV caravan.
lagoon, mooring in a: desire privacy to face your fears.
lonely person dreaming of the: a life without love is a life unlived.
looming above the surface of the: time for you to participate instead of control.
of the open, with small waves: the tranquility before the complete disruption of your career.
overwhelmed by waves: possessions rapidly increase in value, more than you can handle.
sucked into the depths: an experience with cosmic consciousness.
swimming in the warm: wisdom that does not require words wil soon be yours.
taking a bath in the: honor is supporting your indiscriminate pleasures, for now.
men and women: connubial bliss without honor or profit.
thrown by force into the, being: an agreement cannot be reached.
traveling across a very rough: business affairs threaten to dissolve.
man and wife: great and lasting love in material pleasures of true refinement.
smooth: devoted love within the family wil support you in any venture.
typhoon, during a: adversity cannot be calmed or fought, only withstood.
walking out of the: a refreshing start to a venture with a clear vision of your mission.
waves on the, large: wil receive unexpected help when you think you need it least.
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