Briefly
A flood, as a symbol, primarily represents overwhelming emotions, profound transformation, and cleansing. It often signifies the clearing away of old habits, thoughts, and experiences to make room for new growth and evolution. It can also embody destructive forces and the fear of losing control, since it symbolizes an overpowering entity that can sweep away everything in its path.
Flood in Dreams
In the realm of dream interpretation, particularly from a psychological perspective, a flood suggests a surge of repressed feelings or emotions that the dreamer struggles to control. It may indicate emotional stress or the upheaval of life circumstances. Often, it’s a sign that the individual is undergoing a period of emotional growth, and the flood is an internal signal of the need to address and release these pent-up emotions to progress.
Flood in Myths and Folklore
The symbolism of a flood is ubiquitous in mythologies, fairy tales, and legends across the globe. The most famous is the Biblical story of Noah’s Ark, where a flood wipes out humanity to cleanse the Earth of wickedness, demonstrating both destruction and the promise of a new beginning. Other examples include the Sumerian Epic of Gilgamesh, where a flood is sent by the gods as punishment. In many such narratives, the flood acts as a divine instrument of judgement, but also as a catalyst for renewal and rebirth.
Reviewed by Alexander Lys, M.L., a specialist in the field of symbolism research and dream psychology. A certified participant in numerous psychological seminars and courses, the author of hundreds of articles on psychology, including studies on symbolism in dreams and myths from a scientific perspective.