Sea Dream Interpretation: Insights from 31 Unique Sources

Most activities which underlie our physical and mental life are beyond our awareness. Occasionally something—an ache in the chest, a strange emotion which unsettles us—may emerge into consciousness, then disappear.

The sea, with its surface and hidden depths, lends itself to depicting this hu­man experience of known and unknown regarding self.

The enormity of the sea is also a visible image of the enormity of our own inner world, most of it unknown, and also the rela­tionship we have with the universe, which we exist in yet know so little about.

The sea holds vast treasures, curiosities, and our history—not simply because life emerged from the sea. or our blood is as salt as the ancient sea, but because so many ships and shorelines are now beneath the waves. Some­times these can be recovered, and this depicts our remember­ing or making conscious.

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). Ginny and her husband had been explor­ing the content of their dreams.

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.

So, generally the sea represents the boundary between un­conscious and conscious; our processes of life and the ongins of our life; the wisdom, still unverbalised because locked in process rather than insight, of our existence; source of the huge life drives, such as that which urges us towards indepen­dence, mating and parenthood, a symbol of infinite energy or consciousness, in which human existence is only a tiny pan. Example: A small speed boat was at sea. But the sea dis­solved anybody who fell in. One man fell in but held himself together as a blob of water and jumped back to the speedboat. I remember the words “The sea is a great solvent” (Tim P). Tim is aware of his unconscious sense of being a pan of the huge sea of life or energy. In it one might lose one’s sense of identity. In the end, identity is ‘held together’ by one’s own belief in oneself.

Going under the sea: bringing internal contents to con­sciousness; remembering the womb expenence; letting our ego surrender a little, looking at death.

If there is a sense of hugeness, depth: going beyond the boundaries of experience usually set up by our conscious self or ego. Waves: impulses, feelings and emotions, such as sexuality, anxiety, anger. Tide: rising and falling of feelings such as love, pleasure or sexual­ity; may refer to aging when going out; tide in our affairs. Example: *l 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). We can run from pleasure and wider insight, just as much as from pain or fear. Idioms: all at sea, plenty more fish in the sea, lost at sea.

See beach; fish, sea crea­tures.

(1) The sea may represent the unconscious. Putting out to sea may, therefore, symbolize an exploring of the unconscious. Drowning may represent (the fear of) having vour conscious mind swamped by unconscious contents - repressed emotions and the like. It may also mean that your conscious ego needs to submit to your unconscious for a while, for the further enrichment and development of your personality.

See Baptism.

(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 would then symbolize (a fear of) being suffocated by a dominating mother or mother-attachment; or an unconscious death-wish.

See Dead/ Death, section (4).

(3) Sea may symbolize the feminine, or any aspect of it (e.g. intuition, receptiveness). For a male dreamer, therefore, going to sea may symbolize getting acquainted with the feminine in himself - the anima (See Brother/ Sister, sections (4)-(6))

(4) Sea may symbolize creative potential. In mythology, water existed prior to creation, and the creator-god wresded with the sea-goddess and either made the world from her dismembered body or else impregnated her so that she gave birth to the world. Psychologically, therefore, the sea may symbolize the existence, within your psyche, of potential - the latent raw materials - for the creation of your true and total self.

(5) In mystic-meditative traditions there is the belief that the multiplicity of natural phenomena are merely different forms of one ultimately real thing (God, Brahman, Ultimate Reality, the One); and the One is commonly symbolized by the ocean, and the individual person or thing by a drop of water which eventually rejoins the sea from which it originally came. Freudians, like Moussaieff Masson, in his book. The Oceanic Feeling, may say that, if this piece of imagery appears in your dream, it signifies a death-wish, as in (2) above. Jungians would say it is a message from your unconscious concerning the disillusionment that awaits you if you continue to build your life round the ego, instead of acknowledging the One (life-force, God, or whatever you care to call it). Whether the Freudian or the Jungian interpretation fits you better should be easy to decide.

See Introduction, pages8-10.

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 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.

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 Archetypes, River, Ship, Water.

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.

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 Ocean.

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.”

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.

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.

See Water, Ocean

(See 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.

A long journey.

A calm sea means that it will be a successful and enjoyable journey A rough sea indicates many problems and worries.

The sea can be symbolic of many nations and people groups, Ps. 65:5-7.

The sea can also symbolize current situation in life

a vision of the sea is interpreted upon 6 sides: sovereign, leader, scholar & knowledge & wealth, great labour.

A calm sea, especially if the sunshine is bright, foretells smooth sailing on the sea of life.

See Ocean. Important is how the water and the weather are; sometimes a symbol of obstacles.

Placid and smooth denotes happiness; rough and turbulent, sorrow (Gypsy).

See Buildings, places metaphors.

1. The Nations/world/people.

Intuition, insights, emotions ruling your life

See OCEAN, RIVER, similar words.

See “water”

See Ocean.

See Water

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. 

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.