The unconscious. Water is a symbol of your unconscious self, that part of you that has not been fully explored.

Healing energies within; releasing and expression of emotions.

Dreaming that you are drowning means that you are overwhelmed by emotions or repressed issues that is coming back to haunt you. You may be proceeding too quickly in trying to discover your unconscious thoughts and therefore must proceed more cautiously and slowly. If you drown to death, then is refers to an emotional rebirth. If you survive the drowning, then a waking relationship or situation will ultimately survive the turmoil. Seeing someone drowning in your dream, suggests that you are becoming too deeply involved in something that is beyond your control. Alternatively, it represents a sense of loss in your own identity. You are unable to differentiate who you are anymore. Dreaming that you rescue someone from drowning indicates that you have successfully acknowledged certain emotions and characteristics that is symbolized by the drowning victim.

Strong sudden changes, being caught in an emotional storm. Since hurricanes are associated with large bodies of water you may be experiencing some type of repressed or suppressed emotions {the ocean often symbolizes the collective unconscious}.

island may be a symbol of the conscious ego's relationship to the unconscious (the unconscious would be symbolized by the sea or ocean).

It may symbolize your relationship with your mother (represented by the sea, the mother being the higher source). Is the sea threatening to engulf the island?

Quite possibly a symbol of protection. A shield against expressing your true emotions.

The deepest unconscious where one finds repressed, forgotten emotions. Also is a symbol for mother, your own mother or Mother Nature. May symbolize creative potential.

May represent the unconscious as threatening to engulf the conscious ego. May represent the sweeping strength of some emotion.

Basic Meaning: A boat often symbolizes an aspect of the feminine, a reference to the unconscious.

(1) Because of their connections with water, boats may symbolize (some aspect of) the feminine, either with a plainly sexual reference or with reference to the unconscious (in the case of a male dreamer, the reference may be specifically to the anima), (See Anima/Animus or with reference to mother or Great Mother.

(2) Leaving one's own shores for a foreign country may symbolize entry into the unconscious insofar as the latter is unknown and frightening - alien, in fact.

(3) If the boat is crossing a narrow stretch of water, it may symbolize some type of transition: for example, moving from one phase of life to another, or making a new start and a clean break from the past.

(4) If in the dream you miss the boat, the meaning would seem to be obvious: you have failed to take advantage of an opportunity that has offered itself - perhaps an opportunity to open new vistas in your life.

Eric Ackroyd

Example in a Dream

You are in a boat drifting far from shore with sharks swimming all around you.

Possible meaning for a male: The boat would be an anima symbol representing the feminine aspects of the male psyche {compassion, tolerance, patience, ready to forgive}. Drifting far from shore would mean you are drifting away from these unifying feminine aspects. The sharks may represent those other internal aspects that want to assail you {in order to force you back to shore} or other people or circumstances in your waking life that are causing you to drift away from the natural feminine tendencies.

Possible meaning for a female: For a woman the meaning may have the same interpretation, you are drifting away from those essential feminine aspects. But it may also symbolize that you are moving away from those negative aspects {sharks} that can prevent you from an understanding of a higher self {the Great Mother}. It also may be a reference to your actual mother, an unconscious need or desire to move away from her destructive {sharks} attitudes. the meaning may have the same

Deep emotional feelings that lead to a better understanding of oneself. Being underwater may indicate unconscious control of your life or parts of your life.

Emotional balance. Giving attention to unconscious aspects that lend themselves to a harmonious life.

Trying to cleansing yourself with artificial ideas. Total relaxation in a world of stress.

Things that are planned and are out of control {boiling over}. Unconscious contents that are "boiling over" into consciousness often causing distress. Emotional turmoil.

walled up emotions; if dam has burst emotions are being released.

Repressed emotions being allowed freedom to expression. Transformation in your life.

May symbolize a trustful and receptive attitude towards your unconscious, or your mother, or nature. It may also symbolize staying "on top" of your emotions. Do you sometimes feel you are swimming in a sea of emotions? Do you understand how to maintain yourself in the emotional waters of life?