(1) A river may symbolize a flow of (emotional) energy (e.g. sexuality).
(2) Crossing a river in a boat may symbolize either death (see Dead / Death); or a more or less fundamental change of lifestyle or attitude. Crossing by a bridge may signify a change as above; or it may be a symbol of avoiding a flood of passion or observing it from the safe vantage point of a detached observer.
If you think the river does represent emotion, try to identify the emotion (e.g. by asking the river questions and getting answers by role-playing the river) and then decide what you are going to do about it.
The images used in drama of rivers helps us understand their symbolism.
The river can be calm, in flood, or even dried up, representing our state of feeling about our energy, sexuality and emotions—the energy which as anxiety can cause illness, or as pleasure sustain health. Similarly we can drown in the river (drown in despair), float on it, be carried along by prevailing feelings, or cross over, suggesting change or even death. Generally, then, it depicts the feelings which flow through us or we are immersed in; the process of life in our body, connecting with emotions, sexuality and changes of mood, the flow and events of our life or destiny. Being in river: being influenced by or immersed in one’s internal flow of feelings and energies. Crossing river: making great changes.
If one is in the water to cross, it means meeting a lot of emotions in the process of change. Seeing someone cross river feelings about death; same as falling in river. Going against current: resisting one’s own feelings, going against prevailing influences or attitudes; going back to the womb.
Directing a river: channelling one’s emotional or sexual energy. Stagnant river: restrained feelings or sexuality; holding oneself back.
A river can represent the movement of the life force within your body. It can signify allowing yourself to be earned by life’s energy or to surrender to the unknown.
You witness big flood in a river: you’ll see big flood of wealth come your way
Symbolic of life’s journey.
If the river is raging it symbolizes turmoil and distress.
If the river is peaceful it symbolizes God’s blessing, Deut. 8:7.
A dry river can symbolize disappointment, Job 6:15-20.
A river can also symbolize the Holy Spirit, Jn. 7:38-39
Any dream that involves water connects to emotions. In the case of a river, the essential meaning relates to the expression of feelings and emotional flow. All rivers eventually deposit their contents into the ocean, the symbol of all that is unconscious. This adds the perspective of emotions that move freely across our conscious awareness as they travel back to their ultimate mysterious source.
The intensity of the river’s flow in a dream is a direct barometer of the level of emotionality in your life that is being expressed by this image.
The force of a river can run the gamut from a babbling brook to a torrential powerhouse.
The volume of water involved can also vary greatly.
A dry or barren riverbed indicates a lack of expression and a desperate need for emotional content. One that is overwhelmed by flooding might point to a situation that may feel dangerous and threatening to the stability of your life. An obstacle that blocks a river, such as a dam, reveals some level of emotional blockage.
1. Word of God;
2. Spirit or life;
3. Sin; wickedness;
4. Prosperity;
5. Judgment
6. Holy Spirit;
7. Trial; Impassable; Obstacle Amos 5:24; Prov. 18:4; 21:1; Job 6:15; 20:17; Jer. 50 38.
• River Deep
- Depths of the Spirit;
• River Muddy
- Dust mixed with water.
• River Dangerous currents
- not the right time; wait on the Lord.
• River impassable
- stay away because of danger.
• River that is dry
- Holy Spirit missing; legalism; without power;
See “water”
See water
Universal Landscape: Emotional flow.
Dreaming Lens: Were you in, near or on the river? Did it feel safe? Were the rapids swift or gentle? Did you want to cross it? Were you able to cross it? Were you traveling downstream? Were you fighting to move upstream? Was the river running dry? Did you know where it lead to, or originated from? Were there any boats or other people present?
Personal Focus: Any dream that involves water connects to emotions. In the case of a river, the essential meaning relates to the expression of feelings and emotional flow. All rivers eventually deposit their contents into the ocean, the symbol of all that is unconscious. This adds the perspective of emotions that move freely across our conscious awareness as they travel back to their ultimate mysterious source. The intensity of the river’s flow in a dream is a direct barometer of the level of emotionality of your life that is being expressed by this image.
The force of a river can run the gamut from a babbling brook to a torrential powerhouse. The volume of water involved can also vary greatly. A dry or barren riverbed indicates a lack of expression and a desperate need for emotional content. One that is overwhelmed by flooding might point to a situation that may feel dangerous and threatening to the stability in your life. An obstacle that blocks a river, such as a dam, reveals some level of emotional blockage. All of these distinctions will figure prominently into an accurate interpretation.
The underlying message to be considered when a river appears in a dream is that of surrender. Over time, the path of a river has enormous impact on the land surrounding it. With a mind of its own, it carves its way with force and determination. Symbolically, a river would be the emotional experiences in life that rush upon you. While sometimes frightening, if you surrender to them, you will be carried to the next destination on your journey, possibly even your heart’s desire.
Rivers often appear in dreams when you need to let go of things in your life as they are and go with the flow. A river is in charge of the journey it takes you on, often pushing you up against obstacles or inviting you to maneuver around them. The call to action here may indicate a need to trust your feelings, no matter how frightening they may be. Human beings, by nature, resist change and are often overwhelmed by the sense of vulnerability that comes with it. Your unconscious mind may be calling you to relinquish control and move gracefully from where you are to where you are going.
Rivers, like other bodies of water, may represent the dreamer’s emotional state. Watching a river roll by may indicate that one is allowing his or her life to float on down the river without any particular direction, perhaps indicating that one should take a more decisive hand in directing one’s life. With too little control in one’s life, the river may have raging waters that run up over its banks.
If the water is peaceful and tranquil, then a restful break to regenerate one’s energies might be in order. In some mythologies rivers are symbols of death, which could also be interpreted as the passing from one state of consciousness to another.
Symbol: The river indicates that “everything is moving along well.” The river is a symbol of universal hope, fertility, death, and renewal.
Vision: Dreaming about a big river where the water is very clear: a good sign, everything in your life is moving along without interference.
If the water in the river is murky: people around you are hostile and you may need to fight back.
If the river is flowing over its banks: others are gossiping about you—your plans are going to “drown.” Falling into the river: bad luck. Swimming in the river: you may have to deal with a dangerous adversary, but you will succeed. Swimming against the current is a symbol of internal contradictions that need attention and resolution. Swimming across the river means you are leaving the past behind—positive changes are beginning to take place. See Brook.
Depth Psychology: The river is considered the energy reservoir of your soul. You are not making enough use of these energies—or you may not even be aware of them (see Stream).
The condition of the river represents your emotional energy and strength. These energies may carry you where you have no intention of going and they can also destroy! See Water.
To dream you see a flowing river whose waters are smooth and clear presages happiness and success in life; for the married person, contentment in family life.
If the waters of the river are rough and muddy you will be taking a journey that could lead to an increase in your fortunes, though there are certain risks attached.
Rapid and flowing muddy river indicates great troubles and difficulties. But a river with calm glassy surface foretells happiness and love.
In a dream, a river represents a noble and a great person. Walking into a river in a dream means befriending or encountering such a person. Drinking from a river in a dream means trials, but if the water is clear, it means enjoying prosperity and a happy life. Jumping from one bank of a river to the other in a dream means escaping from adversities, dispelling distress or anguish, and it means winning victory over one’s enemy. In a dream, a river also denotes travels. Swimming in a river in a dream means working in the government.
If the river runs through the streets and markets, and if one sees people bathing in it or taking their ritual ablution in it in one way or another it in a dream, such a river then represents the justice of a ruler.
If the river floods the streets, or runs through people’s homes and damages their properties and personal belongings in the dream, then the river represents an unjust ruler, or it could represent an invading army.
If a river flows from one’s house and causes no harm to anyone in a dream, it represents one’s good intentions or deeds.
If one becomes a river in a dream, it means his death. Murky waters in a dream signify worries and fearing a great man. Crossing from one side of a river into another in a dream means dispelling one’s fears or worries. It also could mean severing one’s association with such a man only to meet with another one. Jumping from the middle of a river to the riverbank in a dream means escaping from the wrath of a ruler. Losing something in a river means suffering harm and damages from a ruler.
A river flowing inside one’s house in a dream means prosperity. Ifone sees people drinking from it in the dream, it denotes his generosity and sharing of his wealth with needy people, or it could mean imparting knowledge to others.
If a poor person sees a river flowing inside his house in a dream, it means that he will drive a member of his household out of his house because of an abominable and a sinful act, or adultery.
A river in a dream also means a good deed or a regular income.
A river with murky and putrid waters in a dream represents hell-fire. Seeing one of the heavenly rivers of paradise in a dream means prosperity.
The heavenly river of milk in a dream represents God’s gift of the innate knowledge and criterion which is given to His creation, and it represents submission to His sovereignty and obedience to His commands. Seeing the heavenly river of non-intoxicating wine in a dream meanselation and intoxication from one’s love for God Almighty. Seeing the heavenly river of honey in a dream means knowledge or the Holy Qur’an. Drinking from Egypt’s Nile in a dream means receiving a great wealth, gold and power.
(Also see Euphrates; Kawthar; Walking on water; Water)
Stream, Water. In the stream of life and time, Flowing.
A trip on a river often symbolizes your life journey.
A raging river predicts difficult obstacles connected to physical urges and bothersome emotions. Pay attention to how the water is moving!
If you dream of a river, you need to take more control of your own life. Also see “Water” and “Rapids.”
As with all dreams of water, whether Sea, Lake, or River, the meaning depends upon the clearness or muddiness of the Water.
If there are signs of storm, then be very cautious in your plans, for trouble lies ahead.
To fall or jump in, shows domestic worries.
1. Life’s journey.
2. Obstacles, turbulence in need of crossing.
A beautiful calm river foretells empty promises for the dreamer.
If you are on a boat, make a careful checkup on your finances.
A muddy river threatens jealousy.
Dreams of a river represent fluidity, change, and the feminine principal of the path of least resistance. You are going with the flow and connecting with your sensuality.
If you dream that the river is flowing gracefully, then you are in sync with your emotions and instincts.
If you dream that you are going against the current, then you are resisting your instincts, intuition and deeper feelings.
If the river is raging, then you are having an emotional catharsis, dealing with strong emotional currents.
If you dream that you are crossing the river, then you are taking great risks and making courageous changes in your life. See Ocean or Water.
see Water
If you see a clear, smooth, flowing river in your dream, you will soon succeed to the enjoyment of delightful pleasures, and prosperity will bear flattering promises.
If the waters are muddy or tumultuous, there will be disagreeable and jealous contentions in your life.
If you are water-bound by the overflowing of a river, there will be temporary embarrassments in your business, or you will suffer uneasiness lest some private escapade will reach public notice and cause your reputation harsh criticisms.
If while sailing upon a clear river you see corpses in the bottom, you will find that trouble and gloom will follow swiftly upon present pleasures and fortune.
To see empty rivers, denotes sickness and unusual ill-luck.
Water sustains life and is the most abundant compound in all living things. It may represent the flow of your energies, the path of your life, or the passage of time. It also may be symbolic of your emotional well-being. Examine the details of your dream. Is the water clear or murky? Is it fast-moving, turbulent, or stagnant? Are you just floating along its currents or actively controlling your movements? Consider these factors and see how they can be associated with daily life. See also: Water, Ocean
The current of a river symbolizes vital energy. A river with clear water that flows is a symbol of happiness and satisfaction.
If you dream of this element, everything indicates that your emotional side is totally balanced. But, if the waters are turbulent, you may be having emotional conflicts. In contrast, if the river is dry, the dream represents the suspicion that you have been the victim of deceit. According to Jung’s psychoanalysis, the river represents life, destiny.
If the dreamer is enjoying the shore, it denotes a fear of existence. In contrast, if something pleasant attracts him to the opposite shore, it suggests that to achieve your goal, you should overcome tests and learn to dominate the currents of the spirit. Freudian psychoanalysis, in contrast, associated the river with the father figure. Lastly, crossing a river denotes a change in style of life. (See WATER and FISH)
In his novel Siddhartha, Herman Hesse writes close to the river. He says that you can learn a lot from it: how to listen with the heart and how to hope with the soul without passion or desires nor judgments or opinions that trouble you.
As with all water dreams the meaning is modified by the condition and appearance of the water.
If you fell in the river, it indicates approaching domestic difficulties, but if you jumped in, you are being warned against hasty actions.
To dream of sitting on, or walking along, the bank of a river is a sign that if you continue along your present lines success will follow.
See also Water, Sky, Landscape, etc.
River of life; flow of your own life.
If you are swimming against the current, relax and lighten up with the demands you have been placing on yourself.
If you are trying to get across the river and cannot find a way, you are temporarily blocked in dealing with an emotional situation. Build within yourself a new route, expanded perspective, in order to resolve the situation.
To see a broad, rapid and muddy river is a dream denoting difficulties; calm and clear augurs happiness and prosperity (Raphael). The river is usually taken as a symbol of human life and represented as smooth or turbulent according to the nature of the occurrences.
(see Water)
Free-flowing thoughts and actions.
Time’s passage.
The beginning of the river is the past, and where it goes represents the future. This is especially true if you dream of yourself traveling on the river.
If you see yourself in the water, being conveyed by an overwhelming current, this reflects either relinquishing yourself to your instinctive, emotional nature or having your individuality washed away by circumstances.
Traversing a river in a small water craft is an alternative type of path dream in which the current reflects your direction of personal growth.
Healing. Rivers figure heavily into folk medicine in which healers used the water’s movement to convey sickness visually away from a patient.
If this is the case, what is the water taking away? This item will give more meaning to the dream.
A river represents spirituality and/or a boundary.
lucky numbers: 06-08-11-17-21-36
cataract with rapid clear water: an adventurer threatens your domestic happiness.
murky: the flow of life is neverending and never smooth.
creek, wading in a dry: new experiences; taking a trip of short duration.
others: another is enjoying what you had rejected as insufficient.
drifting on the, in a boat: imminent danger; take a decisive hand in your life.
enemies committing suicide in a: a long-desired move is imminent.
falling into a: danger is awaiting your misstep; seek professional advice.
children: are passing from one growth period to the next one.
sweetheart: a restful break to al ow feelings to soar above the conflicts.
fishing in a: change of environment brings contact with person of influence.
flooding, a: wil receive good news concerning pending lawsuits.
escape from a: long-lasting lawsuits through indiscrete actions of others.
being unable to: disil usionment when you correct your faults.
fording a river: security is on the other side, find the right ford.
palisades, of a: cautious optimist wil guide you through obstructers.
embankment, being on a: wil hear news of the engagement of your love to another.
others: engagement wil be cal ed off from your obsession with personal ease.
riding the rapids: gaining strength against a repressive relationship.
swimming in a: meet the imminent danger directly and head to the source.
upstream: your actions go against your instincts; reverse them to coincide.
throwing someone into a: wil be befriended by another more faithful friend.
walking the shores: inspirations is at hand; grasp it.
water, of clear: good business practices coming to fruition.
dirty: disgrace for disputing another’s tainted emotional state.
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