Water Symbolism

Abstract Throughout history, water has been used as a symbol of wisdom, power, grace, music, and the undifferentiated chaos that gave rise to the material world. Many ancient cultures believed that everything in existence was birthed from, and ultimately returns to, the metaphoric “waters of chaos” through the substance of water. Whether portrayed as a shape‐shifting dragon, an omnipotent god, a three‐dimensional geometry, or a subterranean river, water has always been understood to play a fundamental role in the creation and maintenance of the physical world and, in particular, biological life. The post‐Renaissance view of water differed in many respects from ancient views, but water and its recognizable flow forms remained symbols of power, beauty, wisdom, and the essence of the natural world. In our postmodern world, water most commonly symbolizes an economic commodity, which is bought, sold, collected, and distributed according to various market forces. This shift in human perception has resulted in many unforeseen effects on the earth and the biosphere.