representation of water

Water Symbolism and Symbols – A Guide

Table of Contents

Symbolic meanings of water, common water symbols, water symbolism in ancient cultures , native americans, ancient greeks , taoism , water symbolism in religions, christianity , hinduism , water in art, photography, and music , quick facts about water.

Water symbols are as ancient as humankind and have been around for thousands of years. They are deeply connected with all cultures, not just as a symbol of survival, but as a mystical element paving the way for life. Water symbols are the chief element in many spiritual rituals and reflect rejuvenation, purification, and healing. However, this is just a summary. Let’s take a closer look at water symbolism and symbols. 

Water has specific representations in various cultures and religions. But it also has general significations that are common to all. Let’s take a brief look at some of the prevalent meanings of water. 

• Symbol of Life: Many people across the globe believe water is a symbol of life because it’s closely associated with birth and rejuvenation. It’s both a symbol of physical and spiritual birth. A baby can only be born after the mother’s water breaks, and likewise, spiritual regeneration is only possible after individuals have cleansed themselves.
• Symbol of Change: Water is commonly depicted as a symbol of change due to its flow and movement. It’s never constrained to one location, and it changes its form to become a river, waterfall, sea, or ocean. This constant movement of water is often used by saints and holy people to inspire humankind to adapt to changes instead of fearing them. 
• Symbol of the Unconscious: Many psychologists and psychiatrists have used the symbol of water to represent the unconscious mind. The ocean is as vast and deep as the unconscious mind, and its bottom can’t be easily discerned. The ocean is also much larger than the conscious realm, which is easily visible and understandable. 
• Symbol of Femininity: Water bodies such as the ocean have been associated with femininity and womanhood. They symbolize rawness, mysteriousness, vastness, and irrationality.
• Symbol of Purification and Forgiveness: Water is used to cleanse oneself, which makes it a symbol of purification. On a spiritual level, this association makes it a symbol of forgiveness, especially in Christianity, as a person’s sins are washed away by water baptism.
• Symbol of Flexibility: Water moves easily, adapting its form to suit its environment. In this way, water is often used as a symbol of flexibility.

Water is represented and depicted through symbols and images. Some of the common ones will be examined in the list below.

• Curvy Lines: Water is often represented by two curvy and squiggly lines. The Native Americans used this to symbolize moving water. 
• Inverted Triangle:   The inverted triangle was used by early Greek philosophers and alchemists as a symbol of the water element.
• Vertical Lines: In ancient China, water was symbolized by vertical lines surrounded by dots on either side. 
• Wavy Lines/Spirals:   Many tribal communities such as the Navahos and Hopi used wavy and spiral-like illustrations to depict water. 
• Crab, Scorpion, and Fish: The Astrological symbols associated with Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces, are Crab, Scorpion, and Fish. The Crab represents the rejuvenating and reviving aspects of water while Scorpio symbolizes the still and mysterious features. On the other hand, Pisces reflects wisdom, knowledge, and infinity. 

Water has been an integral part of every ancient culture, and no wonder, as it’s the essence of life itself. However, apart from its practical use, water has also held mystical, symbolic meaning to almost every culture.

Native American tribes had different meanings and interpretations of water, but they all agreed that it was something to be honored, revered, and cherished.

In the creation myth of the Lakota people , water was a symbol of purification and nourishment. According to this tale, the creator of the world sent a flood to cleanse and restore the planet. All animals perished, but the crow remained and persuaded the creator to rebuild the land. For this purpose, marine creatures were requested to bring mud from the depths of the ocean.

However, the land was very dry couldn’t be inhabited by living creatures. To nourish the land, the creator shed his very own tears. This myth is commonly found in various Native American cultures and represents water as an emblem of purification and nourishment. 

In Ancient Greek mythology, water was a symbol of power and invincibility. One of the best examples of such powerful water relates to the River Styx .

The River Styx possessed many mystical properties that were both awe-inspiring and fearsome. Achilles, one of the greatest Trojan heroes, had been dipped in the Styx River when he was a young boy, which made him invincible like the gods. However, as his heel hadn’t touched the water, this became his weak point and the cause of his eventual death (hence the term Achilles’ heel ).

The Styx River was also the place where divine Olympian deities made their Oaths. If any of the Gods refused to comply with their promise, they were to face the harshest punishment from the river’s waters. 

In Taoism, water was a symbol of humility, virtue, benevolence, and strength. Tao Te Ching the ancient founder of Taoism compared water with the highest goodness and virtue. According to him, water fulfilled its purpose without any pride and traveled to the lowest points on earth. It also expressed its benevolence by indiscriminately providing for all living creatures.  

But the water wasn’t only soft and kind but also tough and resilient. It could withstand any obstacles, rocks, or metals that came it’s way, and flowed right on. Water served as a great example of how human beings could lead their lives both as benevolent and assertive souls. 

There’s no denying the importance of the symbolic meanings of water in religions across the world. Water features prominently in most religions, representing various symbolic roles.

In Christianity, water is a symbol of transformation, purification, and destruction. Jesus Christ was able to transcend beyond the material world by performing miracles with water, transforming water into wine, and even walking on water.

Water was also a symbol of purification in Christianity, and the process of Baptism stood as a testament to this. When an individual got baptized, they were submerged in holy water to purify their mind, body, and souls. By doing this, the individual could connect with God at a deeper level. It represented a washing away of sins and wrongdoings, and being bathed in God’s forgiveness.

The Bible also describes water as a tool for cleansing and destruction. In the book of Genesis, God sent a flood to destroy everything and return the earth to its former state free from the evils of humans. When this happened, everything became a watery mass, but thanks to Noah’s virtue, he, his family and a pair of every animal were saved.

In Islam, water is a symbol of birth, life, healing, and purification. All living creatures originated from water, and rainwater was sent by God to cleanse and purify earth.

Additionally, Allah revealed the Zam Zam Well to Hagar, in order to save her infant son from thirst. Even today, the Well remains among the holiest places in Islam, and is believed to heal people from illness and disease.  

Water is also a symbol of purification. Even today, Muslims cleanse themselves with water before praying.

In the Hindu religion, water is the most important symbol of spiritual cleansing and purification. The river Ganges, which is said to flow from the head of Shiva, was personified as Goddess Ganga and contained many mystical powers and energies.

The Ganges River was a vehicle for transporting one’s soul to heaven, and many cremations happened along its banks. Water from the Ganges river was also used to wash away one’s sins and begin afresh.

In one Hindu creation myth, the universe was a wide expanse of water, from which Vishnu, the deity of preservation was born. He and Brahma together helped in the creation of the world. 

Many artists, photographers, and musicians have sought inspiration from nature. As a major element of the world, water was one of their greatest sources. 

• Many of Claude Monet’s most famous paintings included water, such as his series showcasing his water lily pond and the Japanese footbridge.
• Photographer Andrew Davidhazy has become famous for his images on water droplets and cups. 
• Franz Liszt composed individual pieces on water, inspiring many musicians to use it as a common theme in their songs.  

In contemporary times, water doesn’t have the same meaning and significance as it did in ancient society. Nowadays, water is mostly associated with relaxing and recreational activities. People love to go on a seaside vacation or visit a spa to be rejuvenated and healed. But most importantly, long baths and showers have become the easiest and most practical way to feel refreshed. 

Today, water is a precious, natural resource that is depleting at an alarming rate .  This is why it’s essential to be aware of ways to save water, follow sustainable practices, use water-saving products ,  and reduce and reuse water as much as possible.

Water and water symbols have been an integral part of ancient societies and cultures. It remains one of the most important elements of nature, and one that continues to hold its importance, both as a physical object and as a symbolic representation of various universal concepts.

Tags: Ancient Symbols

Dani Rhys has worked as a writer and editor for over 15 years. She holds a Masters degree in Linguistics and Education, and has also studied Political Science, Ancient History and Literature. She has a wide range of interests ranging from ancient cultures and mythology to Harry Potter and gardening. She works as the chief editor of Symbol Sage but also takes the time to write on topics that interest her.

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What Does Water Symbolize? Cultural & Literary Examples

Last Updated: October 23, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Mari Cartagenova and by wikiHow staff writer, Aly Rusciano . Mari Cartagenova is a Spiritual Teacher & Medium based in Westford, Massachusetts. Mari has been seeing and speaking to Spirits since she was a child, and she loves to share her psychic gifts and abilities to help others. She specializes in mediumship, intuitive psychic guidance, past life or soul reading, and animal communication. Mari is the 2019 Award-Winning Best American Psychic and a Certified Advanced Spirit Worker. There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 26,739 times.

Water. You use and see it every single day. It’s there when you brush your teeth, eat, and walk home in the rain. But did you know that water is more than just something you drink? Water has been an important symbol for religious, spiritual, and cultural practices for centuries. Believe it or not, your favorite movie and book scenes have even used these symbols. So, what are they, and what does water actually represent? Keep reading to find out.

Things You Should Know

• Emotionally, water can symbolizes profound depth, changing feelings, or sadness.
• Water is also a universal representation of life since no plant or animal can live without it.
• Spiritually, water invokes ideas of purification, rejuvenation, and transformation.

• As the popular proverb says, “Still waters run deep.” [1] X Research source

• As a literary example, Toni Morrison uses phrases like “wave of grief” and “ice cake torn away from the solid surface of the stream” to convey her characters' deep emotions in the novel Beloved . [2] X Research source

• In this context, someone may say they’re feeling “watered down,” like they're “treading water,” or are in “troubled waters.” [3] X Research source

• In Egyptian culture, life and water are represented by the same symbol: the ankh. [4] X Trustworthy Source US National Park Service Agency responsible for the maintenance and promotion of national parks and monuments Go to source

• For instance, you may be familiar with the phrase “Having a ripple effect,” which depicts that one action can cause other things to occur. [5] X Research source

Purification

• Many bodies of water are considered religiously sacred for this very reason. In Hinduism, for example, bathing in the Ganges River is said to aid spiritual transformation and cleanse one of crimes. [7] X Research source

• For instance, Yann Martel’s Life of Pi showcases a boy who has a near-death experience out at sea. While on the water, he undergoes a personal enlightenment and reinvents himself.
• In the Bible, a giant flood destroys everything on Earth except for what Noah has in his ark. The flood washes the sins of the Earth away as a biblical renewal.

Rejuvenation

• In Native American culture, water is 1 of the 4 Directions on the Medicine Wheel or Sacred Hoop, which is used for traditional healing practices. [10] X Research source

Self-reflection

• In Greek mythology, Narcissus falls in love with his own reflection after looking in a pool of water, emphasizing the vanity of humanity.

Subconsciousness

• One of the most famous examples of this is the representation of water in Herman Melville’s Moby Dick . In the novel, the sea represents the churning, beautiful, and maddening concepts of the human psyche.

Transformation

• Along with this, water is a constant habitat for evolution. Frogs, for example, start in water as tadpoles and transform into frogs over time.
• In the Bible, the Lord transforms water into wine.

• In Irish folklore, the story of Sinann depicts a woman following a stream to pursue knowledge. [14] X Research source

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Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about spirituality, check out our in-depth interview with Mari Cartagenova .

• ↑ https://extension.usu.edu/waterquality/kidspage/watersayings
• ↑ https://blogs.dickinson.edu/403lit/2017/10/01/water-and-liquid-in-toni-morrisons-beloved/
• ↑ https://www.nps.gov/afbg/learn/historyculture/ankh.htm
• ↑ https://www.britannica.com/topic/holy-water
• ↑ https://www.webpages.uidaho.edu/~rfrey/116ganges.htm
• ↑ https://www.ipl.org/essay/Symbolism-Of-Water-In-A-Separate-Peace-99182B588D0B9E74
• ↑ https://www.history.com/news/the-myth-of-ponce-de-leon-and-the-fountain-of-youth
• ↑ https://www.nlm.nih.gov/nativevoices/exhibition/healing-ways/medicine-ways/medicine-wheel.html
• ↑ https://jungcurrents.com/carl-jung-symbolism-water
• ↑ https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2016/12/the-power-of-water-in-moonlight/511547/
• ↑ https://norse-mythology.org/cosmology/yggdrasil-and-the-well-of-urd/
• ↑ https://www.jstor.org/stable/40732065

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Symbolism of Water: Meanings and Interpretations

Water holds immense symbolism, reflecting various concepts and ideas deeply ingrained in human history. It is a fundamental representation of life itself, symbolizing vitality, growth, and the essential life-giving energy that sustains all living beings. Additionally, water is often intertwined with wisdom, enlightenment, and clarity, portraying it as a source of knowledge and insight. The symbolism of water extends to purification, commonly utilized in religious and spiritual practices to cleanse the body and soul, signifying renewal and rebirth.

In its perpetual state of movement, water becomes a symbol of change, transformation, and the inexorable passage of time. This duality in its nature, being both gentle and powerful, makes water a symbol of strength, resilience, and adaptability. It embodies grace, elegance, and beauty, symbolizing fluidity and harmonious movement. Music and water share a symbolic connection, inspiring artists and musicians alike. Moreover, water often embodies spiritual symbolism, representing nourishment and enlightenment for the soul.

Water as a Symbol of Life

Water is an essential element for life on earth. It has been used as a symbol of life in various cultures and religions throughout human civilization. Water is a symbol of purity, fertility, and regeneration. It is also a symbol of life and the essence of existence.

Water in Human Civilization

Water has played a significant role in human civilization. It has been used for drinking, cooking, and washing. It has also been used for irrigation and transportation. In many cultures, water is considered sacred and is used in religious ceremonies. For example, in Hinduism, the river Ganges is considered sacred and is believed to wash away sins.

Water and Ecosystem

Water is a vital component of the ecosystem. It supports various forms of life, including plants and animals. It is also a critical component of the water cycle, which helps regulate the earth’s temperature and climate. Water is essential for maintaining the balance of the ecosystem.

Water and Animals

Water is essential for the survival of animals. It is used for drinking, bathing, and hunting. Many animals, such as fish, live in water and depend on it for their survival. Water is also essential for the migration of many species of animals.

Water and Plants

Water is essential for the growth and survival of plants. It is used for photosynthesis, which is the process by which plants produce food. Water is also used for transporting nutrients throughout the plant. Many plants, such as rice, grow in water and depend on it for their survival.

Symbolism of Water in Various Cultures

Water is a powerful symbol in many cultures and religions around the world. It is often associated with life, purity, renewal, and spirituality. In this section, we will explore the symbolism of water in Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, and Taoism.

Water Symbolism in Hinduism

In Hinduism, water is considered a sacred element and is used in many rituals and ceremonies. The Ganges River, in particular, is considered holy and is believed to have the power to purify sins. Water is also associated with the god Vishnu, who is often depicted holding a conch shell, which symbolizes the sound of the universe.

Water Symbolism in Christianity

Water plays an important role in Christianity, particularly in the sacrament of baptism. Baptism involves the use of water to symbolize the washing away of sins and the rebirth of the soul. Water is also associated with Jesus, who was baptized in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. In addition, water is used in many Christian rituals, such as the blessing of holy water and the washing of feet.

Water Symbolism in Islam

In Islam, water is considered a purifying element and is used in many rituals. Muslims perform ablutions, or ritual washing, before prayer to purify themselves. Water is also associated with the prophet Muhammad, who is said to have performed many miracles involving water. In addition, the Kaaba, the holiest site in Islam, contains a well of water called the Zamzam, which is believed to have healing properties.

Water Symbolism in Taoism

In Taoism, water is associated with the concept of yin, which represents femininity, darkness, and the moon. Water is also associated with the Tao, or the way, which is the ultimate reality and source of all existence. In addition, water is used in many Taoist rituals, such as the purification of objects and the washing of hands.

Water symbolism is not limited to these four religions, and it has played an important role in many other cultures throughout history. For example, the ancient Greeks believed that water was the source of all life, while the Native Americans saw water as a symbol of purification and healing. The Egyptians associated water with the life-giving Nile River, and the Romans built elaborate aqueducts to bring water to their cities.

Symbolic Meanings of Water

Water has been a powerful symbol in many cultures and religions throughout history. It has been used to represent purity, wisdom, fertility, and change. Here are some of the most common symbolic meanings of water.

Water as a Symbol of Purity

Water is often used as a symbol of purity and cleansing. In many religions, water is used in rituals to purify the body and soul. For example, in Christianity, water is used in baptism to symbolize the washing away of sins. In Hinduism, the Ganges River is considered holy and is used for ritual bathing to purify the soul.

Water as a Symbol of Wisdom

Water is also seen as a symbol of wisdom and knowledge. This is because water is often associated with the moon, which is a symbol of intuition and the subconscious. In many cultures, water is used to represent the flow of knowledge and wisdom. For example, in Buddhism, the lotus flower is often depicted as rising out of water, symbolizing the emergence of wisdom from the depths of the mind.

Water as a Symbol of Fertility

Water is also used as a symbol of fertility and abundance. This is because water is necessary for the growth of crops and the survival of animals. In many cultures, water is associated with the female reproductive system and is used to symbolize fertility and childbirth. For example, in ancient Egyptian mythology, the goddess Isis was often associated with the Nile River, which was seen as a symbol of fertility and abundance.

Water as a Symbol of Change

Water is also used as a symbol of change and transformation. This is because water is constantly changing, from the ebb and flow of the tides to the cycle of evaporation and precipitation. In many cultures, water is used to represent the flow of time and the inevitability of change. For example, in Taoism, water is used as a metaphor for the Tao, which is seen as the natural flow of the universe.

Water in Rituals and Religion

Water has played a significant role in religious and cultural practices throughout history. It is often seen as a symbol of purification, cleansing, and rebirth. In this section, we will explore the various ways water is used in religious and cultural rituals.

Water in Baptism

Baptism is a Christian sacrament that involves the use of water to symbolize purification and rebirth. In this ritual, the person being baptized is immersed in water or has water poured over them to symbolize their spiritual cleansing and rebirth. Baptism is seen as a way to wash away sin and begin a new life in Christ. The use of water in baptism is also seen as a symbol of the Holy Spirit, which is said to descend upon the person being baptized.

Water in Funeral Rites

Water is also used in funeral rites in many cultures. In Hinduism, for example, water is used to purify the body of the deceased before cremation. In some Native American cultures, water is used to symbolize the journey of the soul to the afterlife. Water is also used in Christian funeral rites to symbolize the washing away of sin and the deceased’s rebirth in heaven.

Water in Purification Rites

Water is often used in purification rites in many cultures. In ancient Greece, for example, people would bathe in natural springs to purify themselves before entering a temple. In Judaism, the mikveh is a ritual bath used for purification before certain religious ceremonies. In some Native American cultures, the sweat lodge is used for purification and spiritual renewal.

Water in Birth Rites

Water is also used in birth rites in many cultures. In some Native American cultures, for example, women would give birth in water to symbolize the child’s spiritual rebirth. In Hinduism, the Garbhadhana-Samskara is a ritual that involves the use of water to purify the parents before conception. Water is also used in Christian baptism to symbolize the rebirth of the child into the Christian faith.

Suggested Read: Flowers That Symbolize Freedom

Water Symbolism in Dreams and Consciousness

Water is a powerful symbol in dreams and consciousness, representing a wide range of emotions, experiences, and states of being. In this section, we will explore the symbolism of water in dreams and consciousness, focusing on its connection to the unconscious mind, emotional state, and fear.

Water and the Unconscious Mind

Water is often associated with the unconscious mind, representing the deep, mysterious parts of ourselves that we may not be aware of or understand. Dreams about water can be a reflection of our unconscious thoughts, feelings, and desires, offering valuable insights into our inner world.

For example, dreaming of calm, clear water may symbolize a sense of peace and clarity in our unconscious mind, while dreaming of turbulent, murky water may represent confusion or emotional turmoil. Similarly, dreaming of swimming in water may suggest a desire to explore our unconscious mind, while dreaming of drowning may indicate a fear of confronting our deepest fears and emotions.

Water and Emotional State

Water is also closely tied to our emotional state, representing the ebb and flow of our feelings and experiences. Dreams about water can be a reflection of our emotional state, offering clues about how we are feeling and what we may need to do to find balance and harmony.

For example, dreaming of a calm, peaceful ocean may represent a sense of emotional stability and contentment, while dreaming of a stormy sea may indicate inner turmoil or conflict. Similarly, dreaming of a waterfall may suggest a release of pent-up emotions, while dreaming of a dry riverbed may represent a feeling of emotional emptiness or stagnation.

Water and Fear

Finally, water can also represent fear in dreams and consciousness, reflecting our deepest anxieties and concerns. Dreams about water can be a powerful tool for exploring and confronting our fears, helping us to overcome them and find a sense of peace and security.

For example, dreaming of a tidal wave may represent a fear of being overwhelmed or out of control, while dreaming of a calm lake may suggest a need for emotional safety and security. Similarly, dreaming of a deep, dark ocean may represent a fear of the unknown or the depths of our own psyche, while dreaming of a shallow stream may indicate a fear of being stuck or unable to move forward.

Water in Nature and its Symbolisms

Water is one of the most powerful natural elements on earth, and it is present in various forms such as rivers, lakes, oceans, and rain. Each form of water has its unique symbolism, and it plays a crucial role in different cultures and religions worldwide. In this section, we will explore the symbolism of water in nature and its various forms.

Symbolism of Rivers

Rivers are one of the most powerful natural bodies of water that have played a significant role in human history. They are often seen as a symbol of life, vitality, and fertility. In many cultures, rivers are believed to be sacred, and people often perform rituals and ceremonies near them. For example, the Ganges River in India is considered holy, and many Hindus believe that bathing in its waters can purify the soul.

Symbolism of Lakes

Lakes are a symbol of calmness and tranquility. They represent a peaceful oasis in the midst of chaos and turmoil. Many people find solace and comfort near lakes, and they are often used as a place of meditation and reflection. In some cultures, lakes are also seen as a symbol of fertility and abundance.

Symbolism of Rain

Rain is a symbol of renewal and rebirth. It represents the cycle of life and death and the constant renewal of nature. In many cultures, rain is seen as a blessing, and people often perform rituals to honor it. For example, in some Native American cultures, rain dances are performed to bring rain and ensure a bountiful harvest.

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Exploring the Deeper Meanings: Symbolism of Water in Literature and Art

Symbolism is a powerful tool used in literature and art to convey deeper meanings and evoke emotions. It allows artists and writers to communicate complex ideas and concepts in a way that is accessible and relatable to the audience. By using symbols, they can tap into the universal human experience and create a connection between the work and the viewer or reader.

Symbols can take many forms, such as objects, colors, animals, or elements of nature. They often carry multiple layers of meaning, allowing for different interpretations and adding depth to the work. One of the most commonly used symbols in literature and art is water.

Key Takeaways

• Symbolism plays an important role in literature and art.
• Water is a significant archetype in mythology and culture.
• Water is often used as a symbol of life, renewal, and transformation in literature and art.
• The duality of water is represented as a source of both life and death.
• Water is a symbol of emotional depth and intensity in literature and art.

The Archetype of Water: Its Significance in Mythology and Culture

Water is a universal symbol that holds great significance in mythology and culture across different civilizations. It is often associated with life, purification, renewal, and transformation. In many creation myths, water is seen as the source of all life, representing the primordial state from which everything emerges.

In ancient Egyptian mythology, the Nile River was considered a sacred symbol of life and fertility. It was believed to be the lifeblood of the land, providing nourishment for crops and sustaining the people. Similarly, in Hindu mythology, the river Ganges is considered a holy river that purifies those who bathe in its waters.

Water also plays a significant role in Native American culture. For example, in Navajo mythology, water is seen as a symbol of healing and transformation. The Navajo people believe that water has the power to cleanse both physically and spiritually.

Water as a Symbol of Life and Renewal in Literature and Art

In literature and art, water is often used as a symbol of life and renewal. It represents the cyclical nature of existence, the constant flow of time, and the potential for growth and change.

One example of water as a symbol of life and renewal is found in Ernest Hemingway’s novel “The Old Man and the Sea.” The protagonist, Santiago, spends days at sea battling a marlin. When he finally catches the fish, he ties it to the side of his boat and begins his journey back to shore. Along the way, sharks attack the marlin, leaving only its skeleton. Despite this loss, Santiago finds solace in the sea, which represents the eternal cycle of life and renewal.

In art, water is often depicted as a source of life and vitality. For instance, in Claude Monet’s famous series of water lilies paintings, he captures the beauty and tranquility of a pond filled with blooming water lilies. The water in these paintings symbolizes the life force that sustains and nourishes the plants.

The Duality of Water: Its Symbolism as a Source of Life and Death

Water is a symbol that embodies both life and death. It has the power to give life, but it can also be destructive and deadly.

In literature, water is often used to represent the duality of life and death. In Herman Melville’s novel “Moby-Dick,” for example, the ocean is portrayed as both a source of life and a place of danger. The characters in the novel are constantly at the mercy of the sea, which can provide them with sustenance or swallow them whole.

Similarly, in art, water is often depicted as both beautiful and treacherous. The famous painting “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” by Katsushika Hokusai portrays a massive wave about to crash down on a boat. The wave represents the destructive power of nature, while also showcasing its beauty and awe-inspiring force.

Water as a Symbol of Transformation and Change in Literature and Art

Water is often used as a symbol of transformation and change in literature and art. It represents the fluidity of life and the ability to adapt and evolve.

In literature, water is frequently used to symbolize personal growth and transformation. In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel “The Great Gatsby,” the character of Jay Gatsby is often associated with water. His mansion is located on the shores of a lake, and he throws extravagant parties by his swimming pool. This use of water symbolizes Gatsby’s desire for change and his pursuit of a new identity.

In art, water is often used to represent the transformative power of nature. The painting “The Starry Night” by Vincent van Gogh depicts a night sky filled with swirling stars and a crescent moon reflected in a calm body of water. The water in this painting symbolizes the transformative power of the night sky, which can inspire awe and wonder.

The Symbolism of Water in Religious Texts and Iconography

Water holds great symbolism in religious texts and iconography. It is often associated with purification, rebirth, and spiritual cleansing.

In Christianity, water is used in the sacrament of baptism to symbolize the washing away of sins and the rebirth into a new life in Christ. In the Bible, there are numerous references to water as a symbol of spiritual cleansing and renewal.

In Islam, water is also seen as a symbol of purification. Muslims perform ablutions before prayer, washing their hands, face, and feet as a way to cleanse themselves both physically and spiritually.

Water as a Symbol of Purification and Cleansing in Literature and Art

Water is frequently used as a symbol of purification and cleansing in literature and art. It represents the ability to wash away impurities and start anew.

In literature, water is often used to symbolize a fresh start or a clean slate. In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel “The Scarlet Letter,” for example, the character Hester Prynne is forced to wear a scarlet letter as a symbol of her sin. Towards the end of the novel, she stands on the scaffold by the sea and removes the letter, throwing it into the water. This act symbolizes her desire for redemption and her hope for a new beginning.

In art, water is often used to represent purification and cleansing. The painting “The Baptism of Christ” by Piero della Francesca depicts the biblical scene of Jesus being baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River. The water in this painting symbolizes the cleansing of sin and the beginning of Jesus’ ministry.

The Symbolism of Water in Dreams and the Unconscious Mind

Water is a common symbol in dreams and is often associated with emotions, the unconscious mind, and the depths of the psyche.

In dreams, water can take on different forms and have various meanings. For example, calm and clear water may represent tranquility and emotional stability, while turbulent or murky water may symbolize emotional turmoil or unresolved issues.

Water can also represent the unconscious mind and the depths of the psyche. It is often associated with emotions that are hidden or repressed. In dreams, diving into water or being submerged can symbolize a journey into the unconscious or a desire to explore one’s emotions more deeply.

Water as a Symbol of Emotional Depth and Intensity in Literature and Art

Water is frequently used as a symbol of emotional depth and intensity in literature and art. It represents the vastness of human emotions and the power they hold over us.

In literature, water is often used to convey intense emotions such as love, longing, or grief. In Emily Bronte’s novel “Wuthering Heights,” for example, the character Catherine Earnshaw describes her love for Heathcliff as “an eternal rock beneath a restless sea.” This metaphor compares her love to an unyielding force that is both powerful and tumultuous.

In art, water is often used to depict emotional depth and intensity. The painting “The Scream” by Edvard Munch portrays a figure standing on a bridge, screaming in anguish. The swirling colors and distorted forms in the painting create a sense of emotional turmoil and intensity.

The Enduring Significance of Water as a Symbol in Literature and Art

Water remains an enduring symbol in literature and art due to its universal significance and the many layers of meaning it carries. It represents life, renewal, transformation, purification, and emotional depth. Whether used to convey personal growth, spiritual cleansing, or the duality of life and death, water continues to captivate audiences and evoke powerful emotions.

Through its use as a symbol, water allows artists and writers to tap into the collective unconscious and explore the depths of the human experience. It serves as a powerful tool for communication and connection, bridging the gap between the artist or writer and the audience. As long as humans continue to seek meaning and understanding in their lives, water will remain a timeless symbol in literature and art.

If you’re interested in exploring more symbolism, you might want to check out this article on the symbolism of a snake. Snakes have long been associated with various meanings and interpretations across different cultures and religions. From representing transformation and rebirth to symbolizing wisdom and healing, the snake holds a significant place in symbolism. To delve deeper into this intriguing topic, click here: Symbolism of a Snake .

What is symbolism?

Symbolism is the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities.

What is the significance of water in symbolism?

Water is a common symbol in many cultures and religions, representing purity, life, and renewal. It can also represent emotions, the subconscious, and the flow of life.

What are some common water symbols?

Some common water symbols include oceans, rivers, rain, and tears. These symbols can represent different things depending on the context, such as the power of nature, the passage of time, or emotional release.

What are some examples of water symbolism in literature?

In literature, water can be used to symbolize many things, such as rebirth in “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald, cleansing in “The Scarlet Letter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne, and the unconscious mind in “Heart of Darkness” by Joseph Conrad.

What are some examples of water symbolism in art?

In art, water can be used to symbolize many things, such as purity in “The Birth of Venus” by Sandro Botticelli, the power of nature in “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” by Katsushika Hokusai, and the subconscious in “The Persistence of Memory” by Salvador Dali.

What are some examples of water symbolism in religion?

In religion, water can be used to symbolize many things, such as baptism in Christianity, purification in Hinduism, and rebirth in Buddhism. Water is also a common symbol in many creation stories, representing the beginning of life.

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The Art of Water: A Multifaceted Exploration of Water in Art and Culture

Water, with its ever-changing forms and symbolic richness, has inspired artists across time and space. Its presence in art is as varied as its physical states, from serene lakes to turbulent seas. This exploration delves into the artistic representations of water, reflecting on cultural appreciation, artistic innovation, and the universal symbolism of water.

Waves of Inspiration: Painting and Water

Timeless beauty: water’s enduring allure in art.

Water has long been a subject of fascination and reverence in the world of art.

Its timeless beauty transcends cultures, eras, and artistic mediums, making it a universal symbol of life, purity, and transformation. Here’s a closer look at how the timeless beauty of water has been captured and celebrated in art.

The Fluidity of Form

Water’s ever-changing form, from calm lakes to roaring oceans, offers endless possibilities for artistic expression. Its fluidity allows artists to explore various techniques and styles, capturing the essence of water’s movement, reflection, and depth. The way light dances on the water’s surface or how ripples form and dissolve creates a visual poetry that has captivated artists for centuries.

Symbolism and Emotion

Beyond its physical beauty, water carries profound symbolic meanings.

It can represent the flow of life, the cleansing of the soul, or the tumultuous nature of emotions. Artists have used water to convey feelings of tranquility, sorrow, joy, or turmoil. Its symbolic versatility adds layers of meaning to artworks, resonating with viewers on a deeply emotional level.

A Mirror to Nature

Water’s beauty is often depicted as a mirror to nature’s wonder. Whether it’s a serene pond reflecting a lush landscape or a stormy sea portraying nature’s fury, water becomes a canvas for the artist’s observation and admiration of the natural world. It invites viewers to reflect on their own connection to nature and the delicate balance that sustains life.

A Universal Muse

The timeless beauty of water has inspired artists from various cultural backgrounds and historical periods.

From ancient frescoes depicting mythical water deities to modern abstract paintings exploring water’s form and color, the artistic representations of water are as diverse as human creativity itself. Water’s universal appeal bridges cultural gaps, creating a shared artistic language that speaks to the human condition.

Modern Reflections: Water’s Contemporary Resonance in Art

Contemporary painters continue to explore water , experimenting with different styles and themes. Water becomes a canvas for expression, reflection, and innovation.

In the modern era, water continues to be a compelling subject for artists, but with new perspectives, techniques, and themes that reflect contemporary concerns and sensibilities. Here’s an exploration of how water’s beauty and symbolism are being reimagined in modern art.

Experimental Techniques

Modern artists are pushing the boundaries of traditional art forms to capture water’s essence.

From digital media to mixed materials, the experimental techniques allow for a more abstract and conceptual exploration of water. Artists play with texture, color, and form to create visual experiences that evoke water’s fluidity and dynamism.

Environmental Consciousness

With growing awareness of environmental issues, water has become a symbol of sustainability , conservation, and ecological balance. Artists are using water-themed artworks to raise awareness about pollution, climate change, and water scarcity . Water’s beauty is juxtaposed with its fragility, urging viewers to reflect on their relationship with nature and their responsibility to protect it.

Cultural Commentary

Water’s representation in modern art often extends beyond aesthetics to engage with social and cultural commentary. Whether addressing migration across seas, urbanization along waterfronts, or the commodification of bottled water, artists use water as a metaphor to explore complex societal issues. Water becomes a lens through which to view and critique contemporary life.

Interactive and Immersive Art

Modern art often seeks to engage the audience in more interactive and immersive ways.

Water-themed installations, virtual reality experiences, and participatory art projects invite viewers to physically interact with water or to experience it through different sensory dimensions. These innovative approaches create a more personal and profound connection with water’s artistic representations.

Global Perspectives

In a globalized world, water’s artistic representations are enriched by diverse cultural perspectives. Artists from different parts of the world bring their unique insights, traditions, and contexts to their exploration of water. The result is a multifaceted and inclusive artistic dialogue that celebrates water’s universal significance while honoring cultural diversity.

Fluid Dance: Water in Dance Forms

Rhythmic flow: water’s influence on dance.

The rhythmic flow of water has been a source of inspiration for dance, a performing art that embodies movement, grace, and expression. From traditional folk dances to contemporary performances, water’s fluidity and symbolism have found resonance in the world of dance. Here’s an exploration of how water’s rhythmic flow has shaped and enriched dance forms across cultures and eras.

Water’s Movement in Dance Choreography

The fluidity of water’s movement, its gentle waves, and sudden splashes have been translated into dance choreography. Dancers emulate the flow of water through their bodies, creating a visual poetry that captures water’s grace and dynamism. The undulating movements, the seamless transitions, and the rhythmic patterns all mirror water’s natural dance.

Symbolism and Storytelling

Water’s symbolic richness has been woven into dance narratives.

It can represent life’s journey, emotional depth, purity, or transformation. In many cultural dances, water is a central theme that tells stories of love, loss, celebration, or spiritual connection. Its symbolic versatility adds layers of meaning and emotional resonance to dance performances.

Dance Forms Inspired by Water

Various dance forms around the world have been inspired by water. From classical ballets depicting mythical water creatures to folk dances celebrating rivers and seas, water’s influence is diverse and profound. Some dances are performed near water bodies during specific festivals, strengthening the connection between dance, water, and cultural heritage.

Contemporary Interpretations

Modern dance has embraced water’s rhythmic flow in innovative ways.

Choreographers experiment with water-themed performances that incorporate multimedia, water installations, or underwater dance. These experimental approaches create sensory experiences that transcend traditional dance boundaries, offering new perspectives on water’s beauty and complexity.

Water and Dance Therapy

The therapeutic qualities of both water and dance have been combined in some therapeutic practices. Water’s calming effect and dance’s expressive power are used to promote physical and emotional well-being. The rhythmic flow of water and dance becomes a healing journey that nurtures the body and soul.

Dance and Water

Modern dance performances that interact with water offer a sensory experience that transcends traditional boundaries, creating a fusion of art and nature.

Sculpting the Sea: Water in Sculpture

Form and meaning: water’s influence in sculpture.

Water’s fluid form and rich symbolism have made it a compelling subject in the realm of sculpture.

Artists have explored water’s physical properties and metaphorical meanings, creating works that challenge perceptions, invite reflection, and engage with broader themes of life, nature, and human experience. Here’s an exploration of how water’s form and meaning have been captured and expressed in sculpture.

Water as Material

Water itself has been used as a sculptural material, creating temporary or interactive artworks. Its transparent, reflective, and fluid nature offers unique aesthetic possibilities. Artists have manipulated water’s form through fountains, ice sculptures, or water-based installations, playing with light, movement, and space to create visually stunning experiences.

Water as Metaphor

Beyond its physical form, water has been a powerful metaphor in sculpture.

It can symbolize the flow of time, the cycle of life, the complexity of emotions, or the interconnectedness of all beings. Sculptors have used various materials to represent water’s symbolic meanings, creating works that resonate with viewers on a deeply philosophical and emotional level.

Interaction with Other Elements

Water’s form in sculpture often interacts with other natural elements like stone, metal, or glass. The juxtaposition of water’s fluidity with the solidity of other materials creates dynamic contrasts and harmonies. These interactions explore themes like balance, transformation, or duality, reflecting the complex relationships within nature and human existence.

Public Water Sculptures

Water sculptures in public spaces have become iconic landmarks in many cities .

From grand fountains to contemporary water installations, these public artworks create social spaces that foster community engagement and cultural identity. They transform urban landscapes, adding beauty, meaning, and vitality to public life.

Environmental Art and Sustainability

Some sculptors have used water-themed artworks to address environmental issues and promote sustainability. Water’s form and meaning become a visual and conceptual exploration of ecological consciousness, conservation, and human responsibility. These artworks invite viewers to reflect on their relationship with nature and their role in preserving the planet’s delicate balance.

Innovation and Technology

Modern sculptors are incorporating technology and innovation to reimagine water’s form in sculpture.

From digital water projections to kinetic water sculptures, these innovative approaches expand the creative possibilities of water in art. They create immersive and interactive experiences that engage viewers in new and unexpected ways.

Art and Community: Water’s Role in Building Connections

Water, with its universal presence and multifaceted symbolism, has played a significant role in fostering art and community connections. From public art installations to community-driven projects, water-themed art has become a catalyst for social engagement, cultural expression, and community building. Here’s an exploration of how water’s influence in art has nurtured connections within communities.

Public Water Art Installations

Public water art installations, such as fountains, sculptures, or murals, have become gathering points in urban landscapes. These installations are not just aesthetically pleasing; they create communal spaces where people can interact, reflect, and celebrate. They often become symbols of local identity and pride, fostering a sense of belonging and community cohesion.

Cultural Celebrations and Festivals

Many cultures have festivals and celebrations centered around water bodies, where art plays a vital role. Whether it’s a river festival with floating lanterns or a coastal celebration with sand sculptures, water-themed art brings communities together in joy, reverence, and shared cultural heritage. These events strengthen communal bonds and preserve cultural traditions.

Environmental Advocacy through Art

Water-themed art has been used to raise awareness about environmental issues such as water conservation , pollution, and climate change. Community art projects that focus on water’s importance often engage local residents in creative expression and environmental stewardship. These projects foster a sense of responsibility and empower communities to take collective action.

Healing and Therapeutic Spaces

Artistic representations of water in community centers, hospitals, or therapeutic spaces create calming and healing environments. Water’s soothing imagery or sounds can facilitate relaxation, meditation, and emotional well-being. These artistic interventions support community health and provide spaces for solace and reflection.

Educational Initiatives

Water-themed art has been integrated into educational initiatives to engage children and adults in learning about water’s scientific, historical, and cultural aspects. Interactive art installations, workshops, or community murals can make learning about water engaging and accessible. These initiatives foster curiosity, creativity, and a sense of connection to the natural world.

Collaborative Art Projects

Community-driven water art projects encourage collaboration, creativity, and dialogue.

Whether it’s a community garden with water features or a collaborative mural depicting local water landscapes, these projects bring diverse community members together. They facilitate conversations, build relationships, and celebrate communal creativity.

Literary Rivers: Water in Literature

Water has long been a powerful symbol and motif in literature, flowing through the pages of novels, poems, and essays. Its presence is felt in the form of rivers, oceans, rain, and even tears. From ancient epics to contemporary novels, water’s influence in literature is as profound as it is diverse. Here’s an exploration of how water, especially in the form of rivers, has shaped literary landscapes and narratives.

Rivers as Metaphors

Rivers often serve as metaphors in literature, representing life’s journey, time’s passage, or the flow of consciousness. They can symbolize transformation, renewal, or the inexorable force of destiny. The winding path of a river may mirror a character’s inner struggles, growth, or moral dilemmas, adding depth and complexity to the narrative.

Setting and Atmosphere

Rivers create vivid settings and atmospheres in literary works.

They can be serene and idyllic, reflecting tranquility and beauty, or dark and turbulent, evoking conflict and danger. The description of rivers can set the tone, mood, and context of a story, immersing readers in a specific time, place, and emotional landscape.

Cultural and Historical Context

Rivers have played essential roles in various cultures and histories, and this significance is often reflected in literature. They may be depicted as sacred sites, trade routes, or natural boundaries. Literary rivers can carry historical, social, or cultural meanings, connecting readers to a broader context and enriching the narrative’s authenticity and resonance.

Characters and Relationships

In literature, rivers often influence characters and their relationships.

They can be places of contemplation, love, separation, or reconciliation. Characters’ interactions with rivers or each other near rivers can reveal insights into their personalities, desires, conflicts, or transformations. Rivers become stages where human dramas unfold.

Themes of Nature and Ecology

Rivers in literature often explore themes of nature, ecology, and human’s relationship with the environment. They can be symbols of nature’s beauty, power, or fragility. Literary works that focus on rivers may raise awareness about environmental issues, such as pollution, conservation, or climate change, engaging readers in ethical and philosophical reflections.

Spiritual and Mythical Dimensions

Rivers have spiritual and mythical dimensions in many literary traditions.

They can be pathways to the divine, sites of mythical events, or symbols of spiritual purification. Rivers in religious texts or mythological tales carry profound spiritual meanings, connecting readers to universal truths, moral lessons, or transcendent experiences.

Cinematic Oceans: Water in Film

Water’s captivating presence in film is as vast and deep as the oceans themselves. From thrilling seafaring adventures to profound philosophical explorations, water’s influence in cinema is multifaceted and enduring. Oceans, in particular, have been a recurring theme and setting in films across genres and cultures. Here’s an exploration of how oceans have shaped cinematic narratives, aesthetics, and emotions.

Oceans as Setting and Spectacle

The vast expanse of the ocean provides a stunning backdrop for cinematic storytelling.

Whether it’s a remote island, a bustling seaport, or the open sea, oceans create visually spectacular settings. They offer filmmakers a canvas to craft breathtaking visuals, from serene sunsets to raging storms, adding grandeur and visual richness to films.

Adventure and Exploration

Oceans have been the stage for thrilling adventures and explorations in cinema. From pirate tales to deep-sea expeditions, ocean-themed films often celebrate human courage, curiosity, and resilience. They take audiences on exciting journeys, filled with challenges, discoveries, and triumphs, capturing the adventurous spirit of the sea.

Mystery and Metaphor

The ocean’s depths are often used to symbolize mystery, the unknown, or the subconscious.

Films may use the ocean as a metaphor for human emotions, existential questions, or spiritual quests. The ocean’s vastness and depth can reflect characters’ inner complexities, desires, or conflicts, creating layered and thought-provoking narratives.

Human and Nature Relationship

Films that focus on oceans often explore the relationship between humans and nature. They may highlight themes of ecological awareness, conservation, or human impact on marine life. These films foster reflection on environmental ethics, sustainability, and our responsibility as stewards of the planet’s oceans.

Survival and Resilience

Oceans in cinema have been the setting for gripping survival stories.

Characters stranded at sea, battling nature’s fury, become symbols of human resilience, determination, and survival instinct. These films often delve into psychological and physical struggles, offering intense and inspiring cinematic experiences.

Romance and Emotion

The beauty and romance of oceans have been captured in love stories and emotional dramas. The sound of waves, the dance of light on water, or a walk on the beach can evoke emotions of love, longing, or nostalgia. Oceans become spaces for romance, reflection, and emotional connection, resonating with audiences’ hearts.

Technology and Innovation

Filming oceans has led to technological innovations and creative techniques in cinema.

From underwater cinematography to visual effects, filmmakers have pushed technological boundaries to depict oceans authentically and artistically. These innovations have expanded cinematic language and possibilities, enhancing storytelling and visual artistry.

Musical Raindrops: Music Inspired by Water

Water’s gentle flow, rhythmic waves, and soothing sounds have been a source of inspiration for musicians and composers throughout history. From classical symphonies to contemporary soundscapes, water’s influence in music is as diverse as it is profound.

Classical Compositions

Many classical composers have been inspired by water’s various forms and movements.

Pieces like Handel’s “Water Music” or Debussy’s “La Mer” evoke the beauty, power, and tranquility of water through orchestration and melody. These compositions create auditory landscapes that transport listeners to rivers, oceans, or rain-soaked gardens.

Jazz and Blues

Water’s fluidity and rhythm have found expression in jazz and blues. Whether it’s a song about a river or the use of water sounds in instrumentation, these genres have explored water’s emotional and musical dimensions. The improvisational nature of jazz resonates with water’s unpredictability and flow.

Contemporary and Ambient Music

Modern musicians and sound artists have used water’s sounds and symbolism to create ambient, electronic, or experimental music. Water’s natural sounds, such as raindrops, waves, or streams, are often integrated into compositions, creating immersive soundscapes that connect listeners to nature and inner calm.

Symphony 1 Music Playlists

Symphony 1 Music has curated playlists and songs that celebrate water’s influence in music. These tracks blend various musical styles and sonics, capturing water’s essence through sound.

• Water : A track of pieces inspired by the ocean’s majesty and mystery. Perfect for relaxation, meditation, or contemplation.
• Water 2 : A track that captures the flow and rhythm of rivers, suitable for focus, creativity, or simply enjoying a peaceful moment.
• Water Fountain Sounds : A soothing hour long track of water fountain sounds, ideal for unwinding, reading, or introspection.
• Rain Sounds : A peaceful track for well-being, featuring calm rain sounds that celebrate water’s healing and nurturing qualities.
• Ocean Waves : A relaxing track featuring soothing ocean wave sounds.

Music for Healing and Well-being

Water-inspired music has been used for healing, therapy, and well-being.

The calming sounds of water, combined with harmonious melodies, can facilitate relaxation , stress reduction, and mindfulness. Symphony 1 Music’s playlists are designed to enhance mental and emotional well-being, connecting listeners to water’s therapeutic qualities.

Photographing Water: A Visual Exploration

Essence and texture.

Photographing water reveals its texture, reflection, and mystery. It’s a visual exploration of nature’s beauty and the cultural relationships with water.

Water in Fashion: Design and Expression

Fluid creativity.

Water inspires fashion creativity, elegance, and sustainability. Its themes and motifs shape fashion choices, expressions, and lifestyles.

Sacred Waters: Water in Religion

Divine connection.

Water’s spiritual symbolism transcends religious boundaries. It’s a sacred element, a conduit of divine connection, purification, and blessing.

Digital Waves: Water in Digital Art

Virtual exploration.

Digital artists create realistic water effects, enhancing storytelling and aesthetics. Virtual water expands the creative possibilities of water in the digital age.

Conclusion: A Symphony of Art and Nature

The art of water is a symphony of creativity, culture, and connection. It invites us to reflect on the essence of life, to savor the nuances of artistic expression, and to celebrate the universal allure of water. Whether through painting, dance, literature, or digital media, water continues to inspire, challenge, and connect us in a dance of creativity and cultural appreciation.

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Designing Water-Smart Cities: Integrating Water Management into Urban Planning

From drought to sustainability: los angeles’ water management success story, one of the following, the economic benefits of river restoration, the role of water in energy production: economic aspects, the economic value of water: a comprehensive overview.

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Fluid Dynamics: On the Representation of Water and Discourses of the Digital

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Cadence Kinsey, Fluid Dynamics: On the Representation of Water and Discourses of the Digital, Art History , Volume 43, Issue 3, June 2020, Pages 510–537, https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8365.12483

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Water bottles, ripples, waves, storms, floods, pipes and oceans. In the last decade, water has featured as a major thematic or visual trope in artworks made with, for or about the Internet. From Helen Marten's Evian Disease (2012) to Hito Steyerl's Liquidity Inc . (2014), this essay considers why the image of water has provided such a powerful and provocative visual metaphor for new digital technologies. I analyse how the image of water has been used to map out a series of key relationships between information technology, finance and the environment. Drawing these fields together through the themes of transparency and opacity, order and chaos, I argue that the image of water serves as a shorthand for making art in a time of crisis: a representation of a meltdown that is at once both metaphoric and all too real. At stake in this is the idea that the repeated and recurrent use of images of water in recent art reveals not simply how but crucially why a new set of narratives about digital technology has emerged since 2008: narratives in which a historical language of immaterial flows has now come to be superseded by one of material realities.

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Symbolism in Art: Water

English artist David Hockney is known as an important contributor to the pop art movement and is perhaps best recognised for his striking representation of Californian life and architecture in the 1960s.

Hockney was born in England in 1937, he studied at the Royal College of Art, experimenting with the expressionist style in his early works, before settling on bright, bold acrylic paintings in the pop art style. Hockney was featured as an one of the first British Pop Artists in the RCA’s Young Contemporaries exhibition, but was refused his diploma after he failed to write an essay as part of his final assessment. He wanted to be judged solely on his artworks. In protest at the decision he painted The Diploma, a satirical version of the official diploma awarded by the institution. The RCA relented, awarding him a real diploma shortly after.

A year after graduating, Hockney visited California for the first time in 1963. He was struck by the lifestyle he saw on the Western coast of the USA and shortly after his visit he began painting a series of swimming pools, inspired by the pools he had seen at people’s houses and hotels. Most of his swimming pool images were painted between 1964 and 1971. His fascination with swimming pools has continued into later life. It is reported that he still swims for half an hour a day. Hockney’s acrylics served him well in this new direction, capturing the dry heat and sun-drenched buildings of California.

Just one year after his first visit to California, Hockney moved to Los Angeles, where he spent 4 years. Hockney once commented that “the climate is sunny, the people are less tense than in New York…When I arrived I had no idea if there was any kind of artistic life ther and that was the least of my worries”.

A Bigger Splash was one of a series of three splash paintings. It was painted in the summer of 1967 whilst Hockney was teaching at the University of California in Berkley. The swimming pool was based on an image Hockney had seen in a book. He contrasted against a 1960s style modernist building, of which he had made several sketches and studies.

Water itself holds a number of symbolic meanings. It is often used as a symbol of purity and tranquillity, but it can also be tempestuous and forbidding, impossible to control and unreliable. In Hockney’s A Bigger Splash we see both elements of water. The pool itself is tranquil and unmoving, an appealing shade of turquoise that looks welcoming and inviting. The splash adds an element of movement and action, an indicator that someone is underneath that water, consumed by it’s blue surface and buried beneath it’s calm exterior.

A Bigger Splash

Water is often associated with the ability to wash away our sins and leave us pure and refreshed. In religious ceremonies, water is often used to purify us, ready for a transformation or new beginning. Unlike in many of Hockney’s paintings, we cannot see the human figure in this image, but we are aware that someone is there. An empty sun chair faces us from the opposite side of the pool, waiting for its occupant but cut off from us and rendered out of reach by the stretch of water that overtakes the painting.

The vibrant blue of the water is reflected in the empty blue sky. Hockney painted most of the picture with flat blocks of colour, reserving his attention for the details of the splash itself. In previous works, Hockney had been at paints to represent the fluidity and motion of water. He used a variety of techniques to represent the dapples of light on the water as it moved. The splash paintings stand out as they present water as a much more stable, solid block, with the exception of the movement created by the splash. The splash is chaotic against the calm and tranquillity of the surrounding landscape.

Hockney’s pool paintings often depict a Californian land of luxury and acceptance – a utopic, anything-goes world where wealthy people luxuriate in their surroundings. But history tells us that at the same moment in history, public pools were experiencing racial segregation and tension. Open homosexuality was still taboo and the push for civil rights was raging.

In A Bigger Splash, Hockney’s swimming pool is calm and serene, although the presence of an unseen human has disturbed the scene, creating a wave of motion and a trail of chaos. The changeable, fluid nature of water is represented in the movement of the splash. That which seems solid and peaceful on the surface is really hiding a multitude of possibilities to erupt into motion or to consume us at any given moment. As Hockney showed when he stood up to the RCA and as Californian society was demonstrating in the 1960’s, human beings are just as reactive and volatile as water. The calm, solid looking surface can hide any number of untold secrets.

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Anna Melnykova, "Palace of Labor (palats praci), architector I. Pretro, 1916", shot with analog Canon camera, 35 mm Fuji film in March 2022.

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• May 9, 2022
• 10 min read

Sculpting Through Water: Art and Its Relationship with Water

Water is a ubiquitous element that not only is present in our bodies but fills our planet in the form of oceans and air particles. It is not surprising, then, that due to its fundamental importance most artists, over the centuries, have become attracted by this element so unattainable and unpredictable. Spellbinding reflections, movements, shades, and colors convey this primordial element, depicted from the early stages of human living to modern times. One of the oldest examples of the human fascination with water can be encountered in the frescoes located in Località Tempa del Prete in the ancient Paestum (modern Italy). Regarded as a real Greek masterpiece, its creator is still unknown, but this doesn’t prevent our contemporary eyes from enjoying the magical and archetypal relationship between man and water.

Detail of the ceiling of The Tomb Diver, Paestum, Salerno, Italy

Under a symbolic aspect, water, according to the French philosopher, physician, poet, and professor Gaston Bachelard (1884-1962) stated that water symbolizes profundity and its possible bond with infinity, identifying two distinct manners to describe its behavior:

“Water grows rancorous; it changes of sex. By becoming perverse, it becomes masculine.’’(Bachelard, 1942,p.15)

Many ancient cultures conveyed water not as a single part per se , but rather as a part of a whole composition devoted to the landscape, although it seems particularly difficult to trace any water depiction in an early American painting prior to the conquest. According to art historians, the earliest representation of a stream may be traced back to a statue preserved in the Louvre, representing its two jets which emerge from a vase held by a Gudea, the governor of Lashea during the Neo Sumerian epoch, respectively the Tigris and Euphrates. Undoubtedly a detailed early depiction of this mysterious element.

Gudea statue, 2120-2110 BC

Water, throughout the centuries of its perennial scrutiny, has been represented through the shape of tears, rain, and ponds. An early example of this latter configuration can be traced to the acclaimed masterpiece of the Italian Piero Della Francesca, the real father of perspective, who depicted a pond behind the painting Baptism of Christ (1450) now on display at the National Gallery of London. In this renowned masterpiece, Della Francesca represents Jesus in the act of being baptized by St. John, both standing behind the shallow water of the Jordan river. It is not a coincidence that the Italian painter decided to depict a pond if one takes into account that the ritual of baptism has been linked with water and its regenerative, purifying intrinsic powers. As a matter of fact, in the same Vangelis according to St. John, Christ explicitly declares that those who drink water can create in their interiority an eternal life.

Baptism of Christ, Piero Della Francesca, 1450, tempera on board.

It is in this frame that, through a contemporary approach to how the art of our times configures its relationship with this ancestral element, the Spanish artist Cristina Iglesias works.

Cristina Iglesias studied at the Chelsea Art School, conveying since the start of her art practice a profound interest in the interstices between art and nature. Art, in her own words, is constructed as a rather architectural element, communicating with its surroundings and all the elements taking part in the constitution of our environment. As a matter of fact, it isn't a surprise that one of her early inspirations was Mies Van Der Rohe, who in 1929, on the occasion of the constitution of the Pavillon of International exposition held in Barcelona, conceived one of the most daring and relevant structures of our times. The building is comprised of natural and artificial materials, the same elements that appear throughout Iglesias's works. It has to be understood the importance of the pond situated inside Van Der Rohe's structure which emphasizes not only a pleasant feeling but also the importance of the Japanese tradition of a harmonic dialogue between the interior and the exterior.

Water appears in many contexts in Iglesia's art: adopting an ambiguous approach toward the traditional constructing elements to create sculpture, the Spanish artist in 1992 conceives Sin Titulo (Muro XVII), the walls inherent in this piece are created deliberately with transparency which reflects light, acquiring, consequently, a color recalling water. Entrenched in an intricated steel armor, the translucent and yet captivating wall remains at the perusal of the observer who won’t ever capture its real essence as much as the inner mystery reigning in the element of water.

Muro XVII , Cristina Iglesias, 1992

A couple of years after Muro XVII, Cristina Iglesias developed her Deep Fountain , an installation still on display for many tourists at the Leopold De Waelplaats, in front of the Museum of Fine Arts of Ambers, in Belgium. The piece counts on an enormous rectangular mirror made entirely of water. In this sense, it may apparently be regarded as a commemorative piece, but it doesn’t want to retain this sense. It goes beyond any celebrative or commemorative intentions due to the lack of a statue or a fountain. What Cristina constructs is simply a profound pond with a recess at the bottom of it that could result in an abyss.

Deep Fountain diverts according to the significance each person makes when approaching it: The piece might start reacting as a simple mirror made of water or, in other cases, appear profoundly fragmented.

Explaining her installation, Iglesias states:

“In my pieces, there are no perfect mirrors. They are reflecting surfaces less pure, in which a reflection results indefinite.’’(Iglesias, 2009,p.111)

The piece uses 2,700 pieces of resin and cement processed and colored starting from 16 casts the artist prepared prior to starting her project. During the construction phase, Cristina admits that she always retained in her mind the examples of fountains made during the Baroque period, specifically those constructed by the two rivals Borromini and Bernini.

Elements such as the spectacularity of deep water, the fluidity of time, the movements of the tides, trams, and passengers passing by, water in the work of Iglesias becomes a faithful register of the incessant passing of time.

Deep Fountain, Cristina Iglesias, 1997-2006, Museum of Fine Arts of Ambers, Belgium

If Cristina Iglesias was concerned with creating a dialogue between her art and the environment that was supposed to host her creation, a relevant figure in the contemporary British art scene is Jason de Caires Taylor (1974). Professional photographer, sculptor, and environmentalist, de Caires Taylor is regarded as the first Land artist whose art research points to the underwater world. Contrary to Iglesias whose main artistic configuration is totally devoted to abstraction, de Caires Taylor created what Elizabeth DeLoughrey defined as sea ontologies ( DeLoughrey,2020,p.2) a realm of male and female sculptures subjected to the erosion and transformation of maritime currents as well as the action of the inhabitants of the bio marine system: fishes, algae, sponges among others. Perhaps one can frame the art of Taylor in the context of the writer, poet, and art critic Jean Cocteau who, in the mid-50s, conceived the human body as follows: "Our flesh is composed of myriads of cells, each one of which contains a miniature ocean … comprising all the salts of the sea, probably the built-in heritage of our distant ancestry when some mutating fish turned into reptiles and invaded the virgin land” (DeLoughrey,2020, p.13).

An "Earth after us'' is therefore revealed through the evocative works of this activist, photographer, and sculptor of our times: encapsulated in an apparent stillness but subjected to the movements of tides and strong currents of water that modify inevitably his anthropomorphized space.

The presence of sculptures is not meant to be an intrusive practice nor an hommage to the several shipwrecks and relics that for centuries were situated in the deepest oceans of Earth, but rather the artist wants to highlight the strong bond which connects us as humans with water.

Beginning installations by doing in his studio a life-casting process on his models, de Caires Taylor create a series of molds that go on to be filled with high-density, pH-neutral marine cement as declared during an interview (Preece,2009, p.1). A detailed and painstaking task follows the molding process - the British artist is urged to look for the proper place where he can situate his creations, generally areas that have barren seabeds and are protected by some landmass.

Furthermore, it is relevant to mention the title that continuously recurs when it comes to providing a name for his works: Museums start being the identity of most of his pieces, not surprisingly highlighting the main concern of the artist which is the preservation inherent to these institutions. As such, echoing the words of the artist, when one is confronted with his art, the spectator is "reminded that we too are not separate to the environment but an integral part of it.'' (Preece,2009, p.2)

In line with his own ecological technique, de Caires Taylor combines his interest in Land Art with depictions of human beings mostly imagined as frail creatures, or in groups as in the case of the installation Crossing the Rubicon.

Jason deCaires Taylor, 2017, Canary Islands

Representing a procession of ordinary people, deCaires Taylor conveys an impactful metaphor around the consequences of climate change as we continue spoiling the resources of oceans, eventually leading to a catastrophic outcome . Belonging to the deCaires Taylor’s Museo Atlántico placed in the Canary Islands, this sculptural park compromises several works, all filled with symbolic analogies related to climate change. At the core of deCaires Taylor's work is a criticism of certain governments' stewardship of their country. Deregulated criticizes the stewardship of some countries like Australia for their implementation of new coal projects. The British artist isn't interested in fascinating spectators' eyes with his magical underwater creatures, but instead, through these eye-catching beings, wants to raise awareness about the irreversible impacts of global warming, unfortunately already in place.

Robert Smithson conceived the most spectacular and representative piece of the conceptual art movement through Spiral Jetty . Situated in the Great Salt Lake in the USA, Smithson's conception of his art stems from ideas such as entropy, monumentality, and citations of the history of art. In the case of his imposing Spiral , the piece contemplates a process of entropy due to the action of water. According to this physical theory, the overall organization of any closed system can only decrease over time. This is illustrated by irreversible changes such as scrambling an egg (it can't be unscrambled) or mixing two differently colored batches of sand in a sandbox (Smithson's example).

Furthermore, the American artist has long been fascinated by the process of ruin that most of the art underwent through the passage of time, inevitably conveying this sense into his precarious and yet magnetic creations. Still, it is worth mentioning that one of Smithson's admirations and probably sources for the conception of his monumental piece is Chris Marker's film, La jetée (1964). The movie tells the story of a young man who travels back in time from a dystopian postwar future, only to return as the victim to a murder he'd witnessed on a rectilinear jetty as a child.

Spiral Jetty, Robert Smithson, 1970, Rozel Point, Great Salt Lake, Utah, USA

Nonetheless, a question has been left open since the artist unexpectedly passed away in 1973, concerning the maintenance and preservation of his work. Paradoxically, the element which renders Spiral unique has started to be a menace. The artwork is slowly disappearing under the water as sea levels rise.

Clearly, Smithson intended the work to embody a series of topics regarding the physical principle of entropy leading every time to new unexpected results. Curiously enough, from an aerial point of view, the Jetty, apart from maintaining its spiral form, is suggestive of a question mark leaving us in an uncertain state of mind.

Water, in the aforementioned cases, acts as an intruder, but artists learned to conform to its subtle changes. In this last section, the Algerian-born artist Hélène Mugot demonstrates through her piece Mur de larmes (Wall of tears) the inherent transparency of water. Comprised of around 400 crystal drops jabbed into a wall, Mugot's piece evokes the words of Elisabeth Blanchard, a philosopher, and teacher:

"One thinks of Cioran for whom “the true greatness of the saints consists in this unsurpassable power among all to cry without embarrassment, (…) to invoke the gift of tears”. These tears remind us that the eyes are not meant to see only, but also to mourn the impossible vision. Tears of joyful pain or painful joy that follow any Ecstasy."(Blanchard, 1997)

Wall of tears, Hélène Mugot, 1992

Finally, regarding her work, the artist explains that tears have always amazed her since they appear indistinctly as a consequence of sadness or joy. That is the essence of her creation: to express opposites at the same time while working on the inherent translucent qualities of water.

The result of this exploration of tears led her in 2004 to create a more daring installation called Blood and Tears , where the spectators clearly perceive the interest of the artist to retell duality when it comes to expressing human feelings. Again, it is still Elizabeth Blanchard who proportions us significance behind the Mugot's oeuvre:

"These tears remind us that the eyes are not meant to see only; some eyes bleed from having seen too much, can no longer even weep, but are destined to weep over the impossible vision.'' (Blanchard,1997)

This luminous hemorrhage of tears gives us access to the timeless. Between blood and tears, the alchemy has operated and if we can contemplate in tears a promise of light, it is because it conceals in its heart the memory of so many nights dazzled by them.

Alchemy, still, can be perceived when it comes to witnessing all these creations, making art more than a human action, but an act that communicates poetically with water, maintaining ancestral connotations.

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES

Bachelard G., (1942). Water and Dreams : An Essay on the Imagination of Matter, Edith Farrell trad., Pegasus Foundation, 1983

De Cailor Taylor J official website

https://www.underwatersculpture.com/works/chronological/

De Cailor Taylor J.,(2009). Sculpture Magazine , Interview by Robert Preece

DeLoughrey E., (2020). Moments in Passing: Maritime Futures of the Anthropocene

Hélène Mugot official website

http://www.helene.mugot.com/portfolio/du-sang-et-des-larmes/

Iglesias C.,(2009). The sense of space, Arnaldo Pomodoro Foundation, Milan

Iglesias C.,( 2013). Metonimia, Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia

Jason deCaires Taylor

https://www.artworksforchange.org/portfolio/jason-decaires-taylor/

Macagno M., (1992). Aqua Depicta

https://www.shf-lhb.org/articles/lhb/pdf/1992/04/lhb1992034.pdf

Land Art definition

https://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/l/land-art

Luft G., (2018). Water as Science in Art

https://magazine.libarts.colostate.edu/article/water-as-science-and-art/

Robert Smithson official website

https://holtsmithsonfoundation.org/spiral-jetty-0

The tomb of the diver in Paestum, a gem of Greek Painting, (2015).

https://www.italianways.com/the-tomb-of-the-diver-in-paestum-a-gem-of-greek-painting/

IMAGE REFERENCES

Gudea statue, 2120-2110 BC, diorite, in the round

Image retrieved from:

https://collections.louvre.fr/en/ark:/53355/cl010119651

Cristina Iglesias, 1992, Muro XVII , iron and resin, Fondazione Arnaldo Pomodoro, Milan

https://cristinaiglesias.com/works/sin-titulo-muro-xvii/

Cristina Iglesias, 1997-2006, Deep Fountain, cement bas-relief of plant forms, eucalyptus leaves, fungi, Antwerp, Belgium.

https://cristinaiglesias.com/works/deep-fountain-diepe-fontein/

Hélène Mugot, 1992, Wall of tears, 500 pieces of crystal, nails

https://www.fondationfrancoisschneider.org/en/oeuvres/mur-de-larmes-en/

Jason deCaires Taylor, 2017, bronze, plaster and a tailor made pH neutral marine cement, Canary Islands

Piero Della Francesca, 1450, Baptism of Christ, tempera on board

https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/piero-della-francesca-the-baptism-of-christ

Robert Smithson,1970, Spiral Jetty , mud, precipitated salt crystals, rocks, water,Great Salt Lake, Utah, USA

https://holtsmithsonfoundation.org/spiral-jetty

Unknown author, 480/470 BC, The Tomb Diver, l ocal limestone, Paestum, Salerno, Italy

https://www.italianways.com/the-tomb-of-the-diver-in-paestum-a-gem-of-greek-

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The Symbolism of Water (8 Surprising Meanings)

This article discusses water symbolism, including the following water symbols:

• Refreshment

Water is everywhere you look – the sea, the lake, river, ocean, rain, snow, kitchen, bathroom. It’s the one thing that separates us from the rest of the universe; it’s the difference between life and death. Because of that, it’s become a venerated commodity representing a wide variety of symbolisms.

Water symbolism everywhere. It represents life and fertility , allowing generation upon generation to survive and thrive. Water also represents circulation , which is crucial for our survival and for the recreation of water. It’s also one of the four elements of life, the signs that we connect with – Earth, Air, Fire, and Water.

Because of the importance of water, it has played an important role in many cultures and civilizations of the past and still does to this day. Water is part of many creation stories, which we’ll also take a look at in this article.

The Symbolism of Water

Here’s what water represents.

Water brings life. It is the driving force behind human civilization. Without water, humanity would not exist – life on Earth would not exist, for that matter. More than 70% of Earth’s surface is covered by water. For adult men, 60% of their body composition is composed of water.

What is more, water has been the main driving factor for the growth of human civilization for centuries. From irrigation to the Industrial Revolution, it’s been the key to almost every development throughout our history.

Without water, we can only survive a few days. So do plants, animals, and everything else alive and kicking. Water also separates us from the rest of the universe. It’s the main factor that determines whether a planet is viable for life or not, and whether there is any possibility of life on those planets.

It’s the defining factor that keeps us ticking, and that enables all forms of life to exist on planet Earth. Without water, there is no life.

See Also: Waterfall Symbolism

2. Fertility

Water enables us to grow plants and to reproduce at a relatively fast rate. Everything that we grow requires water, which in turn produces food. And when food is abundant, the conditions are perfect for humans to reproduce.

It’s the source of life that’s needed for humans, plants, and animals to grow and reproduce. A human can survive without food for up to 3 weeks, but one simply cannot survive without water for longer than a few days.

Throughout history, civilizations that had water and that knew how to use it were more prosperous and successful as a rule. Think about Egyptians, who knew exactly how to use the power of the Nile to build farms and create produce that would drive the civilization to prosper.

Or Romans, who built aqueducts in order to drive water to households, enabling each household to have a good stream of water which created prosperity and a good ground upon which the empire would grow.

> Read Also: Growth Metaphors

    More Drinks Symbolism:

• Symbolism of Milk
• Symbolism of Water
• Symbolism of Wine
• Symbolism of Whiskey

3. Refreshment

During the hot summer days, there’s nothing more you would like than to dip yourself into a cool stream or lake. Or to drink some cool water that would help you get through the heat more easily.

In the winter , water is present as snow and ice. It’s this snow and ice that provides perfect conditions during the spring for plants to start growing. As it melts, the ice and snow create streams and rivers that are crucial for the ecosystem.

Water is a symbol of motion, and almost every time you think about it, you envision it as this moving entity. Whether it’s an ocean, sea, river, stream, or even rain, water is almost always connected to motion (see also: ocean symbolism ).

And even when water is stationary, such as in lakes, it was created with the help of a moving type of water, such as rain or river.

This sort of motion was crucial for civilizations of the past and still is today. We use the water’s motion to move between continents and countries with boats and ships.

Sometimes, people used to take advantage of the river’s motion to power water mills, which would eventually lead to the creation of electricity using water’s raw moving power – which still plays an important role today.

See Also: Bubbles in Water Symbolism

5. Circulation

Water is created through circulation. As rain falls, it creates streams, rivers, lakes, and seas. And then these sources of water evaporate, causing even more rain, and so the cycle continues. This cycle is crucial for the survival of us as human species, but also for the survival of everything else living on this planet.

Another way we could connect water to the symbolism of circulation is that rivers usually end up merging into seas. Small rivers flow into larger rivers, and these large rivers end up in seas or oceans, or sometimes lakes. This circulation is important for keeping these waters alive.

Ever since the Roman era, we’ve used water to clean ourselves. Nowadays, water is treated as something that’s self-intuitive, but it was not always like this. In medieval times and even up until the 18th century, clean water was only accessible for the rich and for the upper classes.

Water cleans and purifies anything that comes in contact with. We use it to clean ourselves, to clean our homes, as well as almost everything else we have in our possession.

Rain also sometimes plays this role as the purifying element. After long and hot summer days, rain is always welcome to freshen up nature and clean up what has long been dusting up.

Read Also: What Does ‘Blood is Thicker than Water’ Mean?

Water is still an unexplored entity. We still don’t know how deep we can go to reach the bottom of the deepest ocean. We don’t know what sort of creatures are lurking there, creating an element of mystery to water.

Also, there is an element of mystery to oceans. They are vast and they seem like they’re never-ending, which is mysterious to many people who want to know what’s on the other side of the ocean.

There’s also a feeling of exploration when it comes to water and sea. In the 16th and 17th centuries, many explorers took on waters – many have failed, while others have discovered new continents and new lands.

As humans, we still haven’t mastered the power of water and probably never will. The power of water is shown in the natural disasters that are caused by tsunamis and floods. In a way, that’s also the power of nature itself, although water is the main driver behind those catastrophes.

Water has long been used as a source of creating power itself. We’re now able to master this power of water and use it to create electricity, which is made using dams and in the past, water mills.

Sometimes, we’re just helpless against the power of water. For example, when ships find themselves in storms in the open sea, there’s not much to do but wait out the storm. Or, the phenomenon of the water current taking you in the direction without you knowing – also called rip currents, which are the ocean’s “silent killer”.

Read Also: What does ‘Blood is Thicker than Water’ Mean?

OTHER WATER SYMBOLISM:

• Beach Meaning & Symbolism
• 21 Ocean Metaphors and Similes
• Water Meaning & Symbolism
• 7 Symbolic Meanings of Rain
• River Meaning & Symbolism

The Symbolism of Water in Different Cultures and Religions

Water is such an important entity that it’s always played an important role in our culture. Let’s see how different cultures perceive water.

In Christianity

In Christianity, water is commonly seen with two important acts that are closely tied to Jesus Christ himself:

• Walking on water
• Transforming water into wine

The first one is to demonstrate the power of Jesus in the New Testament. It’s one of the miracles of Jesus where his disciples see him walk on water.

The act of transforming water into wine is depicted in the Gospel of John when Jesus starts transforming water into wine at the Wedding at Cana. This is yet another miracle of Jesus and it’s a very popular symbolism of water in Christianity.

In Hinduism

For Hinduism, water is the symbol of everything that’s alive and it is the most important substance that keeps us and everything else on this planet alive.

In Upanishads, water is also often a symbol of purity and purification, as well as wisdom.

Water in Islam

The symbolism of water in Islam is also the symbolism of life. In the Koran, water is portrayed as the gift from God who gave water to living beings to survive and thrive on planet Earth.

Native Americans

For Native Americans, water was also a symbol of life. They believed that water is the main element that tied the world together and helped them as well as every other creature survive. Because of that, water is commonly present in many creation stories made by Native American tribes.

• Sand Symbolism
• Shell Symbolism

Wrapping Up

Water is everywhere. It is the main driving force of civilizations of the past and today. Without it, we wouldn’t be able to survive, let alone thrive as a species. Because of that, the main water symbolism is life. Water also represents fertility, purity, power, and even mystery. In most cultures and religions, water is also closely connected to life.

You might be interested in other water-related symbolism concepts, like symbolism of ice (frozen water!), or symbolism of water animals, such as flamingos, turtles , or dragonflies.

I’m Chris and I run this website – a resource about symbolism, metaphors, idioms, and a whole lot more! Thanks for dropping by.

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Water Symbolism in Literature: What Does Water Symbolize?

Most often, water represents cleansing, life and freedom. Water is a contextual symbol in literature, however, meaning that it can symbolize many things depending on how it is used in a story or poem. Often, the particular meaning hinges on the type of water being used as a symbol. For example, rivers often represent the flow of life because they are constantly moving, following a distinct path.

Significance of Water in Literature

In literature, water can symbolize ease, grace, and fluidity. It may also be the symbol of a driving force due to its continuous stream. Different types of water come with different meanings. For example, a fast-flowing river often indicates strength and focus. Moreover, throughout history, literary critics have pointed out that water — and often river water — typically represents both rebirth and healing.

So, what are some common associations in well-known works of literature? Here are some enduring examples of water symbolism:

• One of the most common examples of literature infused with water symbolism is Herman Melville’s Moby Dick . In this classic story, Ishmael sails under Captain Ahab on a whaling ship. The journey Ishmael takes changes him forever — and the sea symbolizes the unpredictability of that journey.
• In The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway, water symbolizes rebirth as the old fisherman is able to catch fish again after being dragged into the sea.
• In The Tide Rises, The Tide Falls by H.W. Longfellow, water symbolizes fluidity; in the same way the tide rises and falls, time moves on again and again.
• Finally, playwright and poet William Shakespeare often used water as a symbol of cleansing; in Macbeth , Lady Macbeth desperately tries to wash away an invisible bloodstain, eager to cleanse herself of guilt.

Leonardo da Vinci believed that “water is the driving force in nature.” Henry David Thoreau shared a similar thought, saying, “The life in us is like the water in the river. It may rise this year higher than man has ever known it, and flood the parched uplands; even this may be the eventful year, which will drown out all our muskrats.”

Symbolic Meaning of Water

Water is a sacred symbol in most religious traditions, often referring to purity, rebirth, and fertility. Water’s significance as a spiritual and physical entity is highlighted in the Bible by stories about transformation and cleansing. Jewish tradition calls on people to immerse themselves in a bath on special occasions as a means of cleansing their spirits, while Muslim people use water to purify their spirits and prepare for daily prayer.

In the Eastern Orthodox Christian tradition, water possesses healing powers, while Taoism considers water an agent of wisdom, because of its ability to flow, regardless of any obstacles. Finally, the pagans of ancient Greece used water as the symbol of transition and metamorphosis, due in part to its many forms.

The water symbol can also be found in astrology, with the signs Pisces, Cancer, and Scorpio all being water signs. However, despite being linked by the element of water, each of these signs has its own features. For example, Cancer is associated with purity; Scorpio is considered mysterious; and Pisces is linked with depth and creativity.

Water Imagery

The image of water is often used in works to illustrate a point. For example, in The Penelopiad , author Margaret Atwood relies on the recurring image of water continuing to flow — no matter what challenges it faces. It’s a driving force in everything it does, and, perhaps more importantly, it keeps going.

Atwood then reminds the reader that they, too, are half water and have that same strength, writing, “Water is patient. Dripping water wears away a stone. Remember that, my child. Remember you are half water. If you can’t go through an obstacle, go around it. Water does.”

Interestingly, Hermann Hesse presents similar imagery in Siddhartha by equating the river with an endless flow of the present. He notes that the river is everywhere and it doesn’t focus on the past or future — all it can control is the present.

Hesse writes, “That the river is everywhere at the same time, at the source and at the mouth, at the waterfall, at the ferry, at the current, in the ocean and in the mountains, everywhere and that the present only exists for it, not the shadow of the past nor the shadow of the future.”

Life & Death Symbols

As we all know, water is a catalyst of life. It fuels, renews, and cleanses us. However, it also has an immense — and potentially dangerous — power. While water is essential to life, it also has the ability to drown.

In Moonglass , Jessi Kirby creates interesting imagery by connecting water with a character’s turbulent emotions. The character then comes to the conclusion that her mother was a victim of her own emotions, which became too much to handle — a kind of symbolic drowning. Kirby writes, “I read once that water is a symbol for emotions. And for a while now I’ve thought maybe my mother drowned in both.”

More specifically, the ocean or sea can also present unexpected, sometimes dangerous, challenges. At times, the ocean is full of turbulence or death, as seen in flood stories, from Gilgamesh to the tale of Noah’s ark. The point is, death can take many forms; it may not always be characterized by a skull, scythe or unlit candle.

But one thing is for certain: water is an important symbol in literature, one that can be interpreted in many ways. And, since water itself comes in many forms, this feels like an apt symbol in and of itself.

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The Symbolic Meaning Of Water: Exploring Its Depths And Transcendence

• Last updated Jul 22, 2023
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• Category Symbolism

Water is a fundamental and essential element of life, but it also carries a deep symbolic meaning throughout cultures and history. From its cleansing and purifying properties to its ability to bring forth life and fertility, water is often seen as a symbol of renewal, rebirth, and transformation. It has the power to both give life and take it away, representing the cycles of nature and the constant flow of time. Whether used in religious ceremonies, folklore, or artistic representations, water's symbolic meaning resonates deeply with humans and taps into our collective understanding of the world around us.

What You'll Learn

What are some common symbolic meanings associated with water in different cultures, how has the symbolic meaning of water changed throughout history, how does water symbolize emotions and the subconscious in psychological interpretations, in literature and art, what are some common symbolic representations of water and their meanings, are there any specific rituals or ceremonies involving water that signify its symbolic meaning in certain cultures or religions.

Water is a fundamental element that sustains life, and its significance extends beyond its practical uses. In many cultures around the world, water holds symbolic meanings that are deeply ingrained in their beliefs, myths, and rituals. From ancient civilizations to modern societies, water is revered, celebrated, and associated with various aspects of life and spirituality. Let's explore some common symbolic meanings associated with water in different cultures.

In Japanese culture, water is often seen as a symbol of purity, clarity, and tranquility. The concept of "mizu no kokoro," or a mind like water, emphasizes the importance of maintaining a calm and serene state of mind, akin to the stillness and clarity of a peaceful river. Water is also associated with the Shinto religion, where natural springs and waterfalls are considered sacred and believed to be inhabited by deities.

In Chinese culture, water is associated with the concepts of yin and yang, the dynamic balance of opposite forces. Water represents the yin aspect, symbolizing wisdom, flexibility, and the ability to adapt. The Taoist philosophy of "wu-wei," or effortless action, encourages individuals to flow like water, adapting to life's challenges and finding harmony in the ever-changing world.

In Hinduism, rivers hold great significance, representing the cycle of life, purification, and spiritual rejuvenation. The Ganges River, in particular, is considered sacred and believed to cleanse one's sins. Hindus perform ritual baths in the river to purify their souls and connect with the divine. Water is also associated with the Hindu god Vishnu, who is often depicted resting on a cosmic serpent floating in the primordial ocean.

In Native American cultures, water is revered as a life-giving force that nourishes and sustains all living beings. Many tribes view water as a symbol of purification, healing, and renewal. Ceremonial rituals involving water, such as sweat lodges and water blessings, are performed to cleanse the body, mind, and spirit. Additionally, the rain is seen as a symbol of abundance and fertility, bringing life and growth to the land.

In Christianity, water plays a significant role in the sacrament of baptism. It symbolizes purification, rebirth, and the forgiveness of sins. Through baptism, believers are initiated into the faith and become part of the spiritual community. Water is also associated with Jesus Christ, who is often referred to as the "living water" that quenches the spiritual thirst of humanity.

These are just a few examples of the rich and diverse symbolic meanings associated with water in different cultures. Whether it represents purification, tranquility, adaptability, or spiritual renewal, water holds a universal importance that transcends cultural boundaries. Its symbolism reminds us of the interconnectedness of all life and invites us to cultivate a deep respect and reverence for this precious natural resource.

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Water is one of the most important resources on Earth. It sustains all forms of life and is essential for the survival of every living organism. However, throughout history, water has also held a symbolic meaning that goes beyond its physical properties. The symbolic meaning of water has changed over time, reflecting the cultural, religious, and societal beliefs of different civilizations.

In ancient civilizations, water was often associated with the divine and held a sacred significance. For example, in ancient Egypt, the Nile River was considered a deity, and its flooding was seen as a divine act that brought fertility and abundance to the land. Similarly, in ancient Mesopotamia, the Tigris and Euphrates rivers were worshipped as gods and were integral to the creation myths of the region.

Water has also been seen as a symbol of purification and cleansing throughout history. In many religions, water is used in rituals to cleanse the body and soul. For example, in Hinduism, devotees bathe in the holy river Ganges to wash away their sins and purify themselves. In Christianity, water is used in the sacrament of baptism to symbolize the cleansing of original sin and the initiation into the Christian faith.

The symbolism of water has also been associated with emotions and the subconscious mind. In psychology, water is often seen as a symbol of the unconscious and the depths of the human psyche. Dreams about water are believed to provide insights into one's emotions and hidden desires. Similarly, water has been used as a metaphor for the flow of emotions in literature and poetry.

In more recent times, the symbolic meaning of water has evolved to reflect the environmental concerns of society. With the increasing awareness of climate change and water scarcity, water has come to represent a precious resource that needs to be protected and conserved. Water has become a symbol of sustainability and the need to adopt responsible practices to ensure its availability for future generations.

In conclusion, the symbolic meaning of water has changed throughout history, reflecting the beliefs and values of different civilizations. From being associated with the divine and purification rituals to symbolizing emotions and the subconscious mind, water has held a multifaceted symbolic meaning. In modern times, water has come to represent a precious resource that needs to be protected and conserved. The evolving symbolism of water reflects the changing priorities and concerns of society, highlighting the vital importance of this life-sustaining element.

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Water is a powerful symbol in many psychological interpretations as it is often associated with emotions and the subconscious. Just as water can be calm and serene or turbulent and unpredictable, so too can our emotional states and subconscious thoughts.

In psychology, water is often used as a metaphor for the depths of our emotions. Just as the depths of the ocean are largely unexplored, so too are the depths of our own inner emotional worlds. Water can also represent the flow of emotions, as they can come and go like waves crashing on the shore.

The symbolism of water can also extend to the subconscious mind. Just as water lies beneath the surface of the earth, the subconscious lies beneath our conscious thoughts. It is unseen, but it has immense power and influence over our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

Water is also often associated with purification and cleansing. Just as water can wash away dirt and impurities, it can also cleanse the mind and soul. In psychological interpretations, water can represent the process of letting go of negative emotions and experiences in order to create space for growth and transformation.

In dreams, water is a common symbol that can carry a range of meanings. For example, swimming in calm, clear water may symbolize a sense of emotional peace and clarity, while being swept away by a raging current may represent a feeling of being overwhelmed by emotions or life circumstances.

Water can also represent the concept of duality. It can be both life-giving and destructive, just as our emotions can bring us joy and happiness or pain and sorrow. This duality is often reflected in our subconscious and emotional states as well.

Furthermore, water can symbolize the process of transformation and renewal. Just as water evaporates and then falls back to the earth as rain, our emotions and subconscious thoughts can undergo a similar cycle of transformation. This can involve letting go of old patterns and beliefs, and embracing new ways of thinking and being.

In conclusion, water is a powerful symbol in psychological interpretations as it represents the depths of our emotions and the hidden workings of our subconscious mind. It can symbolize the flow of emotions, the process of purification and renewal, and the duality of our emotional states. By understanding the symbolism of water, we can gain insight into our own emotional and psychological states, and embark on a journey of self-discovery and growth.

The Meaning Behind the V in a Circle Symbol

In literature and art, water is often used as a powerful symbol with various meanings. It can represent life, purification, rebirth, tranquility, and transformation. Its fluid nature makes it a flexible symbol that can be interpreted in different ways depending on the context. Here are some common symbolic representations of water and their meanings in the realm of literature and art.

• Life and Fertility: Water is essential for life, and its representation in literature and art often signifies the life-giving properties of this element. It is commonly associated with fertility, growth, and abundance. In many creation myths, water is present as the source of all life, emphasizing its vital role in the world.
• Purification and Cleansing: Water is frequently used as a symbol of purification and cleansing. It represents the ability to wash away impurities, both physical and spiritual. Many rituals involve the use of water to cleanse and purify, symbolizing a fresh start or a new beginning.
• Rebirth and Renewal: Water can also represent rebirth and renewal. It is often associated with the idea of a fresh start or a second chance. In literature and art, water can be used to portray a character's transformation or redemption, as they emerge from water renewed and changed.
• Tranquility and Serenity: Water's calming properties make it a symbol of tranquility and serenity. Calm waters often represent a sense of inner peace and harmony. Whether it is a peaceful lake or a gentle stream, water can evoke a feeling of relaxation and tranquility in literature and art.
• Transformation and Change: Water's fluid nature makes it an apt symbol for transformation and change. It can represent the metamorphosis of a character or the changing tides of life. Water's ability to flow and adapt is often used to convey the idea of personal growth and evolution.
• Destructive Power: While water is often associated with positive attributes, it can also symbolize destructive forces. Floods, storms, and raging rivers are often used in literature and art to portray chaos and destruction. This darker side of water serves as a reminder of its power and the need for respect and caution.

In literature, water symbolism can be found in various forms, such as oceans, rivers, rain, tears, and wells. Artists, on the other hand, have used water in their paintings, sculptures, and installations to evoke emotions and explore themes related to these symbolic representations.

Overall, water is a versatile symbol that can convey a range of emotions and ideas in literature and art. Its associations with life, purification, rebirth, tranquility, and transformation make it a rich and meaningful element to explore.

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Water is one of the most essential elements of life, and it holds great symbolic meaning in many cultures and religions around the world. In various traditions, water is associated with purification, renewal, and spiritual cleansing. As a result, there are numerous rituals and ceremonies involving water that highlight its significance.

In Hinduism, water is considered a sacred element and is an integral part of many rituals. The ritual of Jal Abhishek, for example, involves pouring water over the deity's idol as an act of worship. This ritual symbolizes the purification of the soul and the devotion of the worshipper. Similarly, in the Ganga Aarti ceremony, devotees gather on the banks of the holy Ganges River to offer prayers and light lamps. The flowing water of the river is believed to cleanse sins and grant spiritual liberation.

Baptism is another well-known water-related ritual that holds great importance in Christianity. It is a sacrament that signifies the cleansing of original sin and the initiation into the Christian faith. During the baptismal ceremony, water is poured over the individual or they are fully immersed in water to symbolize their rebirth as a follower of Christ.

In certain Indigenous cultures, water is revered as a life-giving force and is incorporated into various ceremonies. For example, the Water Dance of the Pueblo people in the southwestern United States is a ritual that celebrates the arrival of the rainy season. Participants dress in traditional attire and perform dances to honor the water spirits and to bring forth much-needed rain for their crops.

In Japanese Shintoism, water plays a vital role in the purification rituals known as Misogi. Participants cleanse themselves by standing under a waterfall or pouring water over themselves in a sacred spring. This act is believed to purify the body and spirit, allowing individuals to connect with the divine and remove impurities from their lives.

Water also holds significant symbolic meaning in African traditions. In some African cultures, water is viewed as a bridge between the physical and spiritual realms. Rituals involving water are conducted to communicate with ancestors and spirits. For example, the Yoruba people of Nigeria perform a ritual called Ibo Omi, where water is offered to spirits as a form of communication and respect.

These examples illustrate the diverse ways in which water is symbolically represented in various cultures and religions. Whether it is used for purification, renewal, or communication with the divine, water holds a profound significance in human spiritual practices. These rituals and ceremonies involving water not only provide a sense of spiritual connection but also serve as reminders of the importance of water in sustaining life itself.

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Frequently asked questions.

Water is often seen as a symbol of life, purity, and renewal. It is essential for survival and is associated with cleansing and purifying rituals in many cultures. Water is also seen as a representation of emotions, as it can be calming and soothing, but also powerful and destructive.

Dreams about water can have various meanings depending on the context and emotions in the dream. It can signify emotions and feelings, such as stress and anxiety, or a need for emotional cleansing and renewal. It can also symbolize rebirth or a new beginning. The specific details of the dream, such as the condition and appearance of the water, can provide further insight into its meaning.

Water is a common symbol used in literature and art to convey various themes and emotions. It can represent the subconscious mind and the depths of human emotions. Water is often used to symbolize the passage of time and the concept of change and transformation. It can also be a symbol of purification, redemption, or a source of life and fertility. In art, water is often depicted in different forms, such as flowing rivers, tranquil lakes, or powerful ocean waves, to evoke different emotions and convey different meanings.

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• Published: 27 November 2023

Functional relationships reveal differences in the water cycle representation of global water models

• Sebastian Gnann   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-9797-5204 1 , 2   na1 ,
• Robert Reinecke   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0001-5699-8584 1 , 3   na1 ,
• Lina Stein   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-9539-9549 1 ,
• Yoshihide Wada 4 , 5 ,
• Wim Thiery 6 ,
• Hannes Müller Schmied   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0001-5330-9923 7 , 8 ,
• Yusuke Satoh   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0001-6419-7330 9 ,
• Yadu Pokhrel   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-1367-216X 10 ,
• Sebastian Ostberg   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-2368-7015 11 ,
• Aristeidis Koutroulis   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-2999-7575 12 ,
• Naota Hanasaki   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-5092-7563 13 ,
• Manolis Grillakis   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-4228-1803 12 ,
• Simon N. Gosling   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0001-5973-6862 14 ,
• Peter Burek   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0001-6390-8487 5 ,
• Marc F. P. Bierkens   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-7411-6562 15 , 16 &
• Thorsten Wagener   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-3881-5849 1  

Nature Water volume  1 ,  pages 1079–1090 ( 2023 ) Cite this article

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Global water models are increasingly used to understand past, present and future water cycles, but disagreements between simulated variables make model-based inferences uncertain. Although there is empirical evidence of different large-scale relationships in hydrology, these relationships are rarely considered in model evaluation. Here we evaluate global water models using functional relationships that capture the spatial co-variability of forcing variables (precipitation, net radiation) and key response variables (actual evapotranspiration, groundwater recharge, total runoff). Results show strong disagreement in both shape and strength of model-based functional relationships, especially for groundwater recharge. Empirical and theory-derived functional relationships show varying agreements with models, indicating that our process understanding is particularly uncertain for energy balance processes, groundwater recharge processes and in dry and/or cold regions. Functional relationships offer great potential for model evaluation and an opportunity for fundamental advances in global hydrology and Earth system research in general.

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Climate change will affect global water availability through compounding changes in seasonal precipitation and evaporation

Reconciling historical changes in the hydrological cycle over land

Multi-model Hydroclimate Projections for the Alabama-Coosa-Tallapoosa River Basin in the Southeastern United States

Global water models—including hydrological, land surface and dynamic vegetation models 1 —have become increasingly relevant for policymaking and in scientific studies. The Sixth Assessment Report 2 of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change draws heavily on results from global water models, which provide information about climate change impacts on hydrological variables including soil moisture 3 , streamflow 4 , terrestrial water storage 5 and groundwater recharge 6 . Some of these models are already embedded in global water information services to provide information to a wide array of stakeholders, such as the Global Groundwater Information System 7 or the African Flood and Drought Monitor 8 . Because measurements of many hydrological variables are very sparse and insufficient for large-scale analyses, global water models are regularly used in scientific studies to provide globally coherent estimates of variables such as groundwater recharge and groundwater storage change 9 , 10 . Global water models are also an integral part of Earth system models, and a realistic representation of the water cycle is essential for simulating the role of water within and across the different components of the Earth system 11 .

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Sixth Assessment Report 2 concludes from an analysis of currently available global water model projections that ‘uncertainty in future water availability contributes to the policy challenges for adaptation, for example, for managing risks of water scarcity’. Whereas some of this uncertainty stems from projected and observed climatic forcing, considerable uncertainty stems from global water models themselves 4 , 6 , 12 , 13 , 14 . For instance, Beck et al. 13 found distinct inter-model performance differences when comparing simulated and observed streamflow for ten global water models driven by the same forcing. To illustrate this uncertainty, we show how 30-year (climatological) averages of actual evapotranspiration, groundwater recharge and total runoff vary globally on the basis of outputs from eight models driven by the same forcing (Fig. 1a–c ; Methods). We find substantial disagreement among models, as indicated by high coefficients of variation, particularly for groundwater recharge and total runoff. We further show which model deviates most from the ensemble mean and find that there is not one model that consistently deviates the most (Fig. 1d–f ). Whereas this analysis cannot tell us which models perform better or worse, it suggests that it is not straightforward to single out a model for a certain flux or a certain region, which warrants a more in-depth evaluation.

a – c , Left: maps showing the coefficient of variation, calculated per grid cell as the ensemble standard deviation divided by the ensemble mean of eight global water models for different water fluxes: actual evapotranspiration ( a ), groundwater recharge ( b ) and total runoff ( c ). Lighter areas (‘blank spaces’) indicate high coefficients of variation (CoV) values and thus show where models disagree most. d – f , Right: maps showing which model deviates most from the ensemble mean for each grid cell for different water fluxes: actual evapotranspiration ( d ), groundwater recharge ( e ) and total runoff ( f ). Dark grey areas in d – f indicate that multiple models deviate similarly strongly from the ensemble mean. Empty, blank areas in d – f indicate that no model deviates strongly from the ensemble mean. The percentages shown in d – f refer to the fraction of grid cells (not land area) covered by each model. Greenland is masked out for the analysis.

Most evaluation strategies compare model outputs to historical observations over the area for which the observation is representative. This can be at the plot (for example, flux towers), catchment (for example, gauging stations) or grid cell (for example, gridded remote sensing products) scale. Such approaches are necessary but not sufficient to robustly evaluate global models 15 . First, these approaches compare simulated and observed values location by location and are therefore limited to potentially improving a model for that location; however, given that large fractions of the global land area are ungauged, we require methods that can extract and transfer information from gauged to ungauged locations 16 . Second, relevant information for model evaluation might not just lie in comparing the magnitudes of simulated and observed values in a single location but rather in how a variable varies along a spatial gradient 17 . And third, comparison with historical observations does not guarantee that a model reliably predicts system behaviour under changing conditions 18 . Rather than evaluating global models in essentially the same way as catchment-scale models, evidence of different large-scale hydrological relationships presents us with an opportunity for a different evaluation strategy that is inherently large-scale but so far rarely exploited.

Towards evaluation using functional relationships

Reviewing the hydrological literature reveals a range of relationships 19 that, if they appear in empirical data, should also appear in models (and vice versa). Such relationships often capture behaviour that is not prescribed by small-scale processes but rather emerges through the interaction of these processes (or model components) at large scales. The perhaps most prominent example is the Budyko framework 20 , which describes the long-term partitioning of precipitation into evapotranspiration and streamflow solely as a function of the aridity index. Another example are so-called elasticities of streamflow to changing climatic drivers (for example, precipitation or temperature), which provide an observation-based constraint on climate change effects on streamflow 21 , 22 . A third example are empirical relationships between annual rainfall and runoff, which can be affected differently by prolonged drought; in Australia, some catchments have shown similar rainfall–runoff relationships before and after the Millennium Drought, while other catchments have transitioned to a new stable state 23 . The search for robust relationships that characterize the functioning of hydrological systems is in itself a great scientific challenge 19 , but such functional relationships also provide an excellent yet poorly explored opportunity for the evaluation of global water models.

We define the term function as the actions of (hydrological) systems on the inputs that enter them, such as partition, storage and release of water and energy 24 , 25 . Accordingly, we define functional relationships as relationships between two or more variables that characterize these functions. Such relationships often focus on forcing, state and response variables that are expected to be causally related (for example, precipitation and runoff), and they can focus on both temporal variability at a single location and (as used here) spatial variability across multiple locations. Functional relationships need not be uniquely defined and are typically characterized by substantial scatter due to other (secondary) controlling variables, local variability or uncertainty.

Whereas functional relationships have been used before to evaluate land surface, forest and Earth system models—for example, by analysing relationships between soil moisture and evaporation and runoff 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 or between precipitation and other atmospheric drivers and vegetation productivity 30 , 31 , 32 —their potential for evaluating global water models has not yet been sufficiently explored. The use of functional relationships is currently scattered among the hydrological literature (for example, refs. 33 , 34 , 35 ) and has not been formalized into an evaluation framework. There is a pressing need to develop a ‘theory of evaluation’ 36 that does justice to the nature of global models, the purposes for which they are used and their growing relevance for society 37 . Functional relationships have the potential to be a central building block of such a theory of evaluation, and below we show how they can help shed new light on model behaviour.

Here we focus on functional relationships that capture the spatial co-variability of forcing and response variables. Rather than focusing on a process-by-process comparison that can quickly become unmanageable 28 , functional relationships can capture emergent patterns and shift the focus to identifying the dominant controls on the variables of interest. Especially the relationships between water and energy availability and the major water fluxes leaving the land surface—evaporation and runoff—have been frequently studied 20 , 38 , providing an excellent starting point for model evaluation. In addition, functional relationships that focus on spatial patterns offer several advantages. First, such relationships are well suited for the analysis of global models due to their spatially distributed nature, which means that these relationships can be readily obtained from comparing values from multiple grid cells. Second, spatial relationships can be calculated based on long-term averages, which for some variables are often the only observations available (for example, for groundwater recharge 39 , 40 ). And third, such relationships can capture how hydrological variables co-vary across large scales and thus offer the potential for model improvement over large areas, including locations that lack observations.

In this analysis, we investigate how long-term averages of two forcing and three response variables co-vary spatially, leading to six variable pairs overall. The forcing variables are precipitation P and net radiation N (the available water and energy, respectively), and the response variables are actual evapotranspiration E a , groundwater recharge R and total runoff Q (three key water fluxes). We analyse forcing–response relationships based on 30-year (climatological) averages (1975–2004; all in mm per year) from eight global water models (CLM4.5, CWatM, H08, JULES-W1, LPJmL, MATSIRO, PCR-GLOBWB and WaterGAP2) from phase 2b of the Inter-Sectoral Impact Model Intercomparison Project (ISIMIP 2b 41 ). In addition, we use observational datasets, observation-driven machine learning products and the semi-empirical equation introduced by Budyko 20 to calculate functional relationships between the same variables as for the models as benchmarks (Table 1 ). To explore regional variability in functional relationships 38 , we divide the world into four climatic regions: wet–warm (18% of modelled area), wet–cold (15%), dry–cold (24%) and dry–warm (43%), shown in Fig. 2d . Details can be found in the Methods section.

a , Scatter plots between precipitation and groundwater recharge for PCR-GLOBWB and WaterGAP2. Owing to space constraints, we focus on a few examples with differing relationships. Scatter plots for all variable pairs are shown in Supplementary Figs. 15 – 20 . Each dot represents one grid cell and is based on the 30-year average of each flux. Spearman rank correlations ρ s measure the strength of the relationship between forcing and response variables and are calculated for all grid cells within a climate region. The lines connect binned medians (ten bins along the x axis with equal amount of points per bin) for each region. b , The climate regions are shown. The grey dashed line shows the 1:1 line, indicating the water limit assuming all water is supplied by precipitation.

Disagreement in functional relationships between models

We can visually assess relationships between forcing ( P ,  N ) and response variables ( E a ,  R ,  Q ) by inspecting scatter plots where each point represents one grid cell (or observation); this is shown for precipitation and groundwater recharge in Fig. 2a . We first take a closer look at the shapes of the functional relationships, indicated by the coloured lines in Fig. 2a . Later we will also quantify the strength of the relationships using Spearman rank correlations ρ s . We limit ourselves to a qualitative discussion, given that fitting an equation would mean that we would have to assume a functional form. We report mean values and slopes (obtained via linear regression) for each region in Supplementary Tables 4 – 7 , which quantitatively support our visual assessment. Figure 3 shows connected binned median values for precipitation and the three water fluxes for all models and observational datasets (Table 1 ), separated by climate region. A similar plot for net radiation and the three water fluxes is shown in Extended Data Fig. 1 .

Average functional relationships based on models and benchmark datasets among precipitation P and actual evapotranspiration E a , groundwater recharge R and total runoff Q , respectively. The coloured lines represent one model each, the grey-black lines represent different observational datasets, labelled on the outer-right panels. The MacDonald groundwater recharge dataset contains only enough data values for the dry–warm region and is thus only shown there. The lines connect binned medians (ten bins along the x axis with equal amount of points per bin) for each climate region. The grey dashed line shows the 1:1 line, indicating the water limit assuming all water is supplied by precipitation. Note that the graphs do not show the full range for some curves to better illustrate the model differences.

While the P – E a relationships look similar in shape, they can differ greatly in magnitude (Fig. 3 ). They increase rather linearly in dry (water-limited) regions and increase initially in wet (energy-limited) regions and then level off as they reach an energy limit that bounds actual evapotranspiration. The limit differs greatly between models, varying up to about 400 mm per year in wet–warm regions. Because all models are forced with the same total radiation, this difference is related to the way the models translate total radiation into net radiation and how they then use net radiation to calculate actual evapotranspiration. There is no obvious connection between this difference and the different potential evapotranspiration schemes used 42 , potentially because the models, while forced with the same climate inputs, differ in the way they parameterize the land surface (for example, land use, soils). In dry regions, actual evapotranspiration is mostly limited by precipitation, a forcing dataset that is the same for all models, resulting in less variability. The Budyko equation and the FLUXCOM 43 dataset suggest, in line with literature estimates 44 , that most models underestimate actual evapotranspiration, often greatly so (Supplementary Tables 4 and 5 ). However, we note that FLUXCOM probably overestimates actual evapotranspiration, especially in dry–warm regions, because it considers only vegetated areas 43 . Overall, the disagreement in modelled actual evapotranspiration, particularly visible in energy-limited regions, suggests substantial differences in the way models estimate the energy available for evapotranspiration.

Most P – R relationships increase monotonically, but the shape, the slope and the threshold at which some models start to produce groundwater recharge are very different (Fig. 3 ). For instance, in dry–warm regions, some models produce essentially no groundwater recharge even if precipitation is above 1,000 mm per year, while others produce over 200 mm per year. In dry–warm regions, we have by far the most extensive database on groundwater recharge 39 , 40 , and the observations fall (apart from those at very high precipitation values) within the range of the models. In wet–warm regions, we find the largest disagreement between models and observations, which suggest lower (higher) groundwater recharge rates for higher (lower) precipitation. Whereas this shows the benefit of using an ensemble rather than a single model, even a large ensemble spread does not always capture the observed relationships. The large spread further suggests that many models greatly over- or underestimate groundwater recharge rates and consequently greatly over- or underestimate how much groundwater contributes to evapotranspiration and streamflow 45 . These differences in slope, visible for all climate regions, reflect very different spatial sensitivities to changes in precipitation. Whether temporal sensitivities are similar can only be hypothesized given that no global observational dataset with groundwater recharge time series is available but would imply very different responses to projected changes in precipitation.

The P – Q relationships look similar in shape and mostly increase monotonically, especially for wet regions (Fig. 3 ). The relative differences are larger for dry places, commonly perceived as regions where runoff is more difficult to model 46 . The model and benchmark relationships disagree particularly strongly in dry–cold regions. There, the GSIM 47 , 48 dataset shows a variable relationship between total runoff and precipitation, whereas the GRUN 49 dataset shows almost no increase with increasing precipitation. Overall, GSIM, GRUN and the Budyko equation indicate, in line with an earlier evaluation 50 , that most models produce too much total runoff. This parallels recent findings that Earth system models predict higher runoff increases due to climate change than observations suggest 22 . The overestimation in total runoff is complementary to the underestimation of actual evapotranspiration and shows that most models partition too much precipitation into runoff rather than evapotranspiration.

Diverging dominance of forcing on response variables

To quantitatively compare the strength of the forcing–response relationships, we use Spearman rank correlations ρ s . A rank correlation close to 1 (or −1) indicates that the spatial variability in the forcing variable almost completely explains the spatial variability in the response variable, as can be seen in Fig. 2a for WaterGAP2. A rank correlation closer to 0 indicates that other factors control the response (for example, other input or model parameters describing the land surface), as can be seen in Fig. 2a for PCR-GLOBWB. We stress that a high correlation is not a measure of goodness of fit. Considerable scatter and correspondingly low correlations might indeed be characteristic for many relationships, and if models overestimate how strongly a forcing variable controls a model output, this also indicates unrealistic behaviour. Calculating rank correlations for all variable pairs, we find that the models differ substantially among each other and in comparison to observations (Fig. 4 ; rank correlations for all benchmark datasets and models are listed in Table 1 and Supplementary Table 3 , respectively).

a – f , Spearman rank correlations ρ s between forcing variables (precipitation ( a , c , e ), net radiation ( b , d , f )) and water fluxes (actual evapotranspiration ( a , b ), groundwater recharge ( c , d ) and total runoff ( e , f )), divided into different climate regions. Net radiation for LPJmL and PCR-GLOBWB is not available and is estimated as the median of the other models (per grid cell). The lines connecting the dots are only there as a visual aid. The numbered triangles show rank correlations based on benchmark datasets (grey background) and the Budyko equation, with numbers indicating the corresponding data source (Table 1 ). Observation-based rank correlations are shown only if they are based on more than 50 data points.

For precipitation and actual evapotranspiration (Fig. 4a ), the models show the same ranking between climate regions and rather small differences in magnitude, indicating that actual evapotranspiration is strongly constrained by the available water in all models. The model-based correlations are higher in dry regions ( ρ s  = 0.74–0.98) than in wet regions (0.57–0.83), reflecting water and energy limitations. The Budyko equation assumes complete dependence on aridity (here defined as N / P ). It thus predicts higher correlations overall and mainly distinguishes between wet (0.83–0.84) and dry (0.98–1.00) regions but, unlike models and FLUXCOM, not between cold and warm regions. The Budyko equation should thus be seen as a useful comparison but not as the ‘correct’ model, given that different studies have shown that snow 51 , climate seasonality 52 , vegetation type 53 , inter-catchment groundwater flow 54 and human impacts 55 can affect the long-term water balance beyond aridity.

We find much variability for net radiation and actual evapotranspiration (Fig. 4b ). There is no obvious correspondence between the potential evapotranspiration schemes used 42 (for example, Priestley–Taylor for LPJmL and WaterGAP2 or Penman–Monteith for JULES-W1 and CWatM) and the rank correlations, implying that other factors play a more important role (also, refs. 14 , 56 ). Both the Budyko equation and FLUXCOM show very high correlations for all wet places (0.93–0.99), indicating a strong energy limitation 57 , underestimated by many models (especially CWatM and MATSIRO). FLUXCOM shows a stronger N – E a relationship (Fig. 4b ) in dry–cold places than all models and the Budyko equation, while it shows a weaker P – E a relationship (Fig. 4a ) there. This could be due to an uncertain representation of energy balance processes in cold regions, possibly related to interactions between snow-affected albedo and evapotranspiration 58 , 59 , sublimation 60 or the aerodynamic component of potential evapotranspiration 61 .

For precipitation and groundwater recharge (Fig. 4c ), some models (CLM4.5, MATSIRO, WaterGAP2 and H08) show high to very high correlations (0.71–0.95) for all climate regions, suggesting that precipitation is the dominant control on groundwater recharge across all climate regions in these models. Other models (CWatM, JULES-W1, LPJmL, PCR-GLOBWB) show much lower and more variable correlations (0.35–0.85), suggesting different controls on groundwater recharge (for example, model structural decisions and parameterizations). H08 and WaterGAP2 use the same approach to calculate groundwater recharge 42 and they show almost identical rank correlations, indicating that the functional relationships might be relatable to the model structure in this case. Recent studies have shown a strong influence of precipitation and aridity on groundwater recharge 39 , 40 , 45 , and using the same datasets, we also find high to very high correlations in dry–warm regions (0.74–0.84). In these often highly water-limited regions, precipitation appears to be the dominant control on groundwater recharge. Besides climate, perceptual models of groundwater recharge generation usually include soil characteristics, topography, land use and geology 62 , 63 . This might explain why observations show a more scattered P – R relationship, particularly in wet–warm regions (−0.06).

For precipitation and total runoff (Fig. 4e ), WaterGAP2 and PCR-GLOBWB both show lower correlations (0.52–0.75) than the other models (0.58–0.95). WaterGAP2 is the only model here that is calibrated against streamflow observations 42 , which might explain why it shows the lowest rank correlations for total runoff. The Budyko framework assumes that long-term runoff only depends on aridity and thus shows higher correlations (0.87–0.99) than the benchmark datasets (0.27–0.94) and most models (0.52–0.95). Because factors other than aridity can influence total runoff 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 and given that GSIM tends to show lower correlations overall (0.32–0.80), models that show correlations as high as the Budyko equation probably overestimate how strongly precipitation controls total runoff. Similar to the shapes of the functional relationships (Fig. 3 ),we generally find the largest differences in both models and datasets in dry–cold regions, where GRUN and GSIM show particularly low correlations (0.27 and 0.32).

For net radiation and both groundwater recharge and total runoff (Fig. 4d,f ), we find high variability and mostly positive correlations. The models probably produce more groundwater recharge and total runoff in regions with higher net radiation because precipitation is also higher in these regions (Supplementary Fig. 1 ). Whereas it is difficult to interpret these correlations, the large variability still suggests considerable differences between models.

Focus areas for model improvement

Our analysis has revealed substantial disagreement between models and between models and observations, questioning the robustness of model-based studies and impact assessments, especially if only a single model is used. The energy balance, from total radiation to actual evapotranspiration, appears to be poorly represented, indicated by a different energy limit (Fig. 3 ), a general underestimation of actual evapotranspiration and widely varying N – E a relationships (Fig. 4 ). This warrants a closer look in future studies, as a realistic depiction of energy balance and evaporation processes is critical for climate change studies 57 , 58 . We find the largest disagreement for groundwater recharge, which is arguably the least understood process and poorly constrained by sparse observations 39 , 40 . The inter-model differences in groundwater recharge can be much larger than the differences in actual evapotranspiration and must therefore have other reasons. To better constrain the large variability between models, we need to improve our understanding of the dominant controls on groundwater recharge at large scales 64 . This knowledge is important for assessments of sustainable use of groundwater resources 9 , 10 , for groundwater modelling studies that use groundwater recharge from global water models as input 65 and for understanding the sensitivity of groundwater recharge to changing climatic drivers 6 . Most models overestimate total runoff and we find the largest disagreement for total runoff in dry–cold regions. This echoes existing literature 1 , 12 , 22 , 50 and highlights the need for model refinement in dry and/or cold regions, which are under-researched and strongly affected by climate change 46 . To explore more in-depth how snow processes affect the water balance, future studies could focus on functional relationships in snow-dominated regions by specifically delineating these regions using the fraction of precipitation falling as snow or snow cover extents.

Towards an inventory of robust functional relationships

We have used different observational datasets, observation-driven machine learning products and the Budyko equation 20 to derive empirical and theory-based functional relationships, but challenges remain. Observation-driven machine learning products 43 , 49 are not raw observations and may reflect their upscaling methods rather than the underlying natural distribution but serve as useful benchmarks in the absence of direct observations (for example, because of limited numbers of FLUXNET sites 66 ). The Budyko equation 20 is a climate-only model and thus provides a useful benchmark but neglects other influences on the long-term water balance. The observations themselves and the forcing data paired with them are also associated with uncertainty, even though most of the relationships used here appear to be relatively robust (Methods includes an extended discussion). Yet especially for variables with small numbers of observations, it is challenging to provide robust observation-based constraints for certain regions (Table 1 ). For example, groundwater recharge measurements have almost entirely been made in dry–warm regions (97% of MacDonald data 40 and 92% of Moeck data 39 ), leaving groundwater recharge in other regions poorly constrained. On the other hand, most streamflow measurements have been taken in wet regions (60% of GSIM data used here), and globally there is a placement bias of stream gauges towards wet regions 67 , even though—according to our classification—short of two-thirds of the global land area are defined as dry. Instead of taking new measurements to understand a specific place, new measurements would have much more leverage if they would help us to also understand other places, for example, by filling an observational gap along a climatic gradient (that is, in functional space). In addition, more quality-controlled datasets with uncertainty estimates 40 are critical to obtain realistic uncertainty estimates for functional relationships. This would ultimately allow us to obtain robust ranges of functional behaviour that we can benchmark our models against.

The functional relationships studied here appear to be robust with respect to modelled human impacts, probably because we investigated long-term averages over large regions where climatic controls on the selected hydrological variables dominate (Supplementary Figs. 26 – 30 ). Yet for different variables, especially when studied at shorter temporal and smaller spatial scales, human impacts might have a considerable effect on functional relationships. The effects of human impacts might be investigated by studying strongly managed and near-natural regions separately 68 . Indeed, comparing functional relationships between human impacted and natural regions would be an excellent strategy to assess the degree of human alteration of the natural water cycle. In addition, relationships that specifically focus on human impacts, such as relationships between irrigated areas and irrigation water withdrawals 69 , might be used to better understand the representation of human impacts in models.

Whereas visual comparison (focusing on the shape of the relationships) and rank correlations (focusing on the strength of the relationships) have exposed clear differences between models and observations, our approach here should be seen as a first step. There are other ways to describe the relationships analysed here, for example, by characterizing thresholds or nonlinearities (visible in Fig. 3 ). Metrics such as rank correlations also require careful interpretation. For example, positive correlations between net radiation and groundwater recharge probably arise because precipitation and net radiation are positively correlated and thus do not imply a causal relationship. The interpretation of empirical relationships should therefore be backed up by process knowledge or extended by methods that allow for discovery of causal relationships 70 . Physics-aware machine learning might be powerful in that respect, as it combines domain knowledge with versatile pattern recognition 71 . Beyond the relationships investigated here, we anticipate that exploring temporal relationships (for example, using elasticities 21 , 22 or shifts in P – Q relationships 23 ), dividing the landscape into additional categories (for example, hydrobelts 72 ) and including other variables, such as state variables or stores (for example, soil moisture, terrestrial water storage), will provide additional insights.

Conclusions

As our models grow in complexity, encompassing more processes and covering larger spatial and temporal scales, we need a concurrent development of model evaluation strategies: an evaluation framework for large-scale models. Central to such an evaluation framework should be functional relationships, which shift the focus away from matching historical records in specific locations to a more diagnostic and process-oriented evaluation of model behaviour 36 . Functional relationships allow us to focus on larger-scale assessments, to relate places to each other and to explore if dominant controls in models are consistent with observations, theory and expectations (that is, our perceptual model 73 ). This understanding is critical for ensuring that models faithfully represent real-world systems, ultimately leading to more credible projections of environmental change impacts. Eventually, expanding our range of functional relationships in hydrology, constrained by various observational datasets and expert knowledge, would give us a knowledge base of realistic system behaviour that could be used to evaluate models, diagnose model deficiencies and weight model ensembles, comparable to the use of emergent constraints in climate modelling 37 .

Both our approach and our findings have implications beyond hydrology. First, the terrestrial water cycle plays a central role in the Earth system and is often strongly coupled to other components, such as the biosphere, lithosphere and atmosphere and human activities (for example, refs. 74 , 75 , 76 ). More realistic simulations of the global water cycle therefore also enable us to better clarify how it influences and is influenced by other Earth system components. Methodologically, functional relationships are not limited to applications in hydrology. In fact, land surface, forest and Earth system models 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 have already been studied in similar fashions, though a broader application of this approach has so far been missing. As indicated by recent studies 76 , 77 , functional relationships provide an excellent opportunity to study the interactions between hydrology and, for example, terrestrial ecosystems, and thus represent a tool that can be used across disciplines.

Beyond model evaluation, functional relationships invite us to think about how the global water cycle functions, what we know, what we do not know and what that means for a future under climate change 73 . Our results suggest that improved process understanding will be particularly important for energy balance processes, groundwater recharge processes and generally in dry and/or cold regions. So how can we improve our process understanding? In 1986, Eagleson 78 stated that ‘science advances on two legs, analysis and experimentation, and at any moment one is ahead of the other. At the present time advances in hydrology appear to be data limited’. For some processes, this still seems to be the case. But clearly, we have a wealth of data available and might ask ourselves: are we extracting all of the information from the observations we have? On the basis of the data we have, what and where should we measure next? And are there functional relationships in hydrology yet to be found 19 ? Even if the search for such relationships is challenging, it will be a fruitful and exciting endeavour for global hydrology.

Model data retrieval and processing

We analysed 30-year (climatological) averages (1975–2004) from eight global water models 41 : CLM4.5 79 , CWatM 80 , H08 81 , JULES-W1 82 , LPJmL 83 , MATSIRO 84 , PCR-GLOBWB 85 and WaterGAP2 86 . The model simulations were carried out following the ISIMIP 2b protocol and here we used model outputs forced with the Earth system model HadGEM2-ES under historical conditions (historical climate and CO 2 concentrations). We note that the specific forcing chosen does not appear to influence model-based functional relationships (see below). We used precipitation P (ISIMIP variable name p r ), net radiation N (not an official ISIMIP output), actual evapotranspiration E a (ISIMIP variable name e v a p ), groundwater recharge R (ISIMIP variable name q r ) and total runoff Q (ISIMIP variable name q t o t ). Note that Q here refers to runoff generated on the land fractions (and not surface water bodies) of each grid cell and does not include upstream inflows, which allows for comparison to grid cell P . P , E a , R , and Q were downloaded from https://data.isimip.org/ . Net radiation N is not an official ISIMIP output and was provided by the individual modelling groups. It is not available for all models, so we used the ensemble median per grid cell for models without N data. We converted all fluxes to mm per year and removed E a values larger than 10,000 mm per year and set R values smaller than 0 to 0. Note that our analysis excludes Greenland and Antarctica. A more detailed description is given in the Supplementary Information .

CoV and most deviating model maps

For each grid cell, we used the 30-year averages of the eight models (that is, the model ensemble) and calculated the ensemble standard deviation divided by the ensemble mean. Maps of the standard deviation are shown in the Supplementary Information (Supplementary Figs. 8 – 10 ). To see which model dominates the ensemble spread, we checked for each grid cell which model shows the largest absolute difference (denoted by d 1 ) from the ensemble mean (denoted by μ ). To see if multiple models dominate the ensemble spread, we also checked for each grid cell which model shows the second-largest absolute difference (denoted by d 2 ) from the ensemble mean. If the relative difference between the largest and the second-largest difference is less than 20%, that is ( d 1  −  d 2 )/ d 1  < 0.2, the grid cell falls into the category ‘multiple’. If the relative difference between the most deviating model and the ensemble mean is less than 20%, that is d 1 / μ  < 0.2, the grid cell is counted as having no most deviating model (empty areas on Fig. 1d–f ).

Functional relationships

To visualize the shape of the functional relationships, we binned the data in each climate region into ten bins (along the x axis) with an equal amount of points, calculated the median per bin and connected the obtained median value. For groundwater recharge, we used only five bins because there are so few values. Note that the non-gridded observational datasets do not have the same spatial distribution as the gridded datasets and the models and thus do not have the same distribution of forcing variables. Their bins can therefore span different ranges of the forcing variables. As a metric for the strength of the functional relationships, we calculate Spearman rank correlations ρ s between model inputs and outputs per climate region, a measure of the monotonicity between two variables that is robust to outliers. We use the following categories for correlations: negative correlation (<0), no to low correlation (0 to 0.25), medium correlation (0.25–0.5), high correlation (0.5–0.75), very high correlation (0.75–1.0). We also show mean fluxes and slopes obtained through linear regression in Supplementary Tables 4 – 7 .

Climate regions

On the basis of the aridity index (here defined as N / P ; where N is model ensemble median), a place is categorized as either wet ( N / P  < 1) or dry ( N / P  > 1). On the basis of how many days per year fall below a 1 °C temperature threshold, a place is categorized as either cold (more than one month below 1 °C) or warm (less than one month below 1 °C). This results in four categories: wet–warm (15% of model grid cells/18% of modelled area), wet–cold (23%/15%), dry–cold (28%/24%) and dry–warm (34%/43%). To test how different decisions affect our climate region classification, we also used the ensemble median of potential evapotranspiration E p (partially downloaded, partially provided by the modelling groups) to calculate the aridity index ( E p / P ), and we used a different threshold for our warm/cold distinction. This resulted in little differences overall, as can be seen in the Supplementary Information (Supplementary Fig. 14 ).

Benchmark datasets and theory

To benchmark model performance, we used different observational datasets, observation-driven machine learning products and the Budyko equation 20 . If the datasets provide their own forcing data, we used these data. If not, we paired them with GSWP3 P data 87 to have one consistent forcing product. For E a , we used FLUXCOM data 43 (RS monthly 0.5° from 2001–2015) paired with GSWP3 P data 87 (downloaded from https://data.isimip.org/ ). For R , we used data from MacDonald et al. 40 , which include matching P data, and data from Moeck et al. 39 paired with GSWP3 P data 87 . For Q , we used GRUN data 49 from 1985–2004 paired with GSWP3 P data 87 (the dataset used in the creation of GRUN) and GSIM data 47 , 48 paired with GSWP3 P data 87 . For GSIM, we only used catchments with areas ranging from 250 to 25,000 km 2 with a minimum of ten years of data between 1985 and 2004 to ensure a sufficient number of catchments that do not differ too much in size from the model grid cells. To obtain theory-based estimates for E a and Q , we forced the Budyko 20 equation (equation ( 1 )) with HadGEM2-ES P (the same forcing as used for the models) and ensemble median N from the ISIMIP 2b models analysed here.

More details on data processing and quality checks can be found in the Supplementary Information .

Extended discussion on model forcing and scenario uncertainty

The choice of forcing product and differences in the treatment of human influences (for example, water use and dams) might affect the functional relationships exhibited by the models. To get an idea how much uncertainty this introduces, we compared our results to model runs using WATCH-WFDEI forcing with either variable historical conditions (varsoc) or no human influences (nosoc) for WaterGAP2 and PCR-GLOBWB, carried out following the ISIMIP 2a protocol. The results, shown in the Supplementary Information (Supplementary Figs. 26 – 30 ), stay essentially the same, showing that the model-based correlations are robust signatures of model behaviour.

Extended discussion on benchmark dataset uncertainty

Because not all datasets come with matching P data, we sometimes paired the observations with GSWP3 reanalysis data 87 . To get an idea how much uncertainty this introduces, we investigated how different P data sources affect the functional relationships. Correlations calculated using the MacDonald et al. 40 R data with either GSWP3 P data or the accompanying P data are very similar for dry–warm places (0.83 and 0.84; Supplementary Information ). Using HadGEM2-ES P (the model forcing) data instead of GSWP3 P data to calculate correlations with FLUXCOM E a 43 , Moeck R 39 , GRUN Q 49 and GSIM 47 , 48 , respectively, results in no notable differences. Because most datasets only contain a limited number of years of data, sometimes only one average value 39 , 40 , we used all available years in our analysis. The only observation-driven dataset that contains a long enough time series to analyse functional relationships for two independent 30-year periods is GRUN 49 . Using GRUN data from 1945–1974 instead of 1975–2004 results in virtually no differences. While we cannot rule out that other datasets would lead to different relationships, this analysis indicates that the functional relationships and the rank correlations are relatively robust (Supplementary Figs. 31 – 42 ).

Reporting summary

Further information on research design is available in the Nature Portfolio Reporting Summary linked to this article.

Data availability

The long-term averages created and used in this study are deposited at https://zenodo.org/record/7714885 . Correlations and other statistics are available in the Supporting Information. Data used in this study can be downloaded from the following links. ISIMIP 2b data (model outputs and GSWP3 precipitation data) are available from https://www.isimip.org/ . FLUXCOM data are available from http://www.fluxcom.org/ . MacDonald et al. recharge data are available from https://www2.bgs.ac.uk/nationalgeosciencedatacentre/citedData/catalogue/45d2b71c-d413-44d4-8b4b-6190527912ff.html (contains data supplied by permission of the Natural Environment Research Council (2022)). Moeck et al. recharge data are available from https://opendata.eawag.ch/dataset/globalscale_groundwater_moeck . GSIM data are available from https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.887477 and https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.887470 . MSWEP data can be requested for research purposes from http://www.gloh2o.org/mswep/ .

Code availability

Python and R codes used to perform the analyses are available at https://github.com/HydroSysPotsdam/GHM_Comparison .

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Acknowledgements

S.G., R.R., L.S. and T.W. acknowledge support from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation in the framework of the Alexander von Humboldt Professorship endowed by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). Y.S. was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korean Government (MSIT) (2021H1D3A2A03097768). Y.P. acknowledges the support from the National Science Foundation (grant number 1752729). A.K. and M.G. have received support from REACT4MED (GA 2122) PRIMA funded project, supported by Horizon 2020. N.H. is financially supported by JSPS KAKENHI grant number 21H05002. This publication is based upon work from COST Action CA19139—PROCLIAS, supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology, https://www.cost.eu ). We thank P. Döll for providing helpful comments on the manuscript. We also thank the ISIMIP team for their continued efforts within the ISIMIP project.

Open access funding provided by Universität Potsdam.

Author information

These authors contributed equally: Sebastian Gnann and Robert Reinecke.

Authors and Affiliations

Institute of Environmental Science and Geography, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany

Sebastian Gnann, Robert Reinecke, Lina Stein & Thorsten Wagener

Chair of Hydrology, Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany

Sebastian Gnann

Institute of Geography, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany

Robert Reinecke

Climate and Livability Initiative, Center for Desert Agriculture, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia

Yoshihide Wada

International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg, Austria

Yoshihide Wada & Peter Burek

Department of Water and Climate, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium

Institute of Physical Geography, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Hannes Müller Schmied

Senckenberg Leibniz Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (SBiK-F), Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Moon Soul Graduate School of Future Strategy, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea

Yusuke Satoh

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA

Yadu Pokhrel

Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), Member of the Leibniz Association, Potsdam, Germany

Sebastian Ostberg

School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Crete, Chania, Greece

Aristeidis Koutroulis & Manolis Grillakis

National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba, Japan

Naota Hanasaki

School of Geography, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK

Simon N. Gosling

Department of Physical Geography, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands

Marc F. P. Bierkens

Unit Soil and Groundwater Systems, Deltares, Utrecht, Netherlands

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Contributions

S.G., R.R., L.S. and T.W. designed the study. Y.W., W.T., H.M.S., Y.S., Y.P., S.O., A.K., N.H., M.G. and P.B. conducted hydrological simulations under the ISIMIP 2b project, and S.N.G. and H.M.S. coordinated the ISIMIP global water sector. S.G. and R.R. processed the simulation results and conducted the analyses, and S.G., R.R. and L.S. prepared the graphics. S.G. wrote the first paper draft together with R.R., L.S. and T.W. Y.W., W.T., H.M.S., Y.S., Y.P., S.O., A.K., N.H., M.G., S.N.G., P.B. and M.F.P.B. contributed to discussions and interpretations of the results and edited the paper.

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Extended data

Extended data fig. 1 average functional relationships between net radiation and three key water fluxes..

Average functional relationships based on models and benchmark datasets between net radiation N and actual evapotranspiration E a , groundwater recharge R and total runoff Q , respectively. The colored lines represent one model each, the grey-black lines represent different observational datasets, labeled on the outer-right panels. The lines connect binned medians (10 bins along the x -axis with equal amount of points per bin) for each climate region. The grey dashed line shows the 1:1 line, indicating the water limit assuming all water is supplied by precipitation. Note that the graphs do not show the full range for some curves to better illustrate the model differences.

Supplementary information

Supplementary text, Tables 1–6, Figs. 1–39 and references.

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Gnann, S., Reinecke, R., Stein, L. et al. Functional relationships reveal differences in the water cycle representation of global water models. Nat Water 1 , 1079–1090 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44221-023-00160-y

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water cycle , cycle that involves the continuous circulation of water in the Earth - atmosphere system. Of the many processes involved in the water cycle, the most important are evaporation , transpiration , condensation , precipitation , and runoff . Although the total amount of water within the cycle remains essentially constant, its distribution among the various processes is continually changing.

A brief treatment of the water cycle follows. For full treatment, see hydrosphere: The water cycle .

Evaporation , one of the major processes in the cycle, is the transfer of water from the surface of the Earth to the atmosphere. By evaporation, water in the liquid state is transferred to the gaseous , or vapor, state. This transfer occurs when some molecules in a water mass have attained sufficient kinetic energy to eject themselves from the water surface. The main factors affecting evaporation are temperature , humidity , wind speed, and solar radiation . The direct measurement of evaporation, though desirable, is difficult and possible only at point locations. The principal source of water vapor is the oceans , but evaporation also occurs in soils , snow , and ice . Evaporation from snow and ice, the direct conversion from solid to vapor, is known as sublimation. Transpiration is the evaporation of water through minute pores, or stomata, in the leaves of plants . For practical purposes, transpiration and the evaporation from all water, soils, snow, ice, vegetation, and other surfaces are lumped together and called evapotranspiration , or total evaporation.

Water vapor is the primary form of atmospheric moisture. Although its storage in the atmosphere is comparatively small, water vapor is extremely important in forming the moisture supply for dew , frost , fog , clouds , and precipitation. Practically all water vapour in the atmosphere is confined to the troposphere (the region below 6 to 8 miles [10 to 13 km] altitude).

The transition process from the vapor state to the liquid state is called condensation . Condensation may take place as soon as the air contains more water vapour than it can receive from a free water surface through evaporation at the prevailing temperature. This condition occurs as the consequence of either cooling or the mixing of air masses of different temperatures. By condensation, water vapor in the atmosphere is released to form precipitation .

Precipitation that falls to the Earth is distributed in four main ways: some is returned to the atmosphere by evaporation, some may be intercepted by vegetation and then evaporated from the surface of leaves , some percolates into the soil by infiltration, and the remainder flows directly as surface runoff into the sea. Some of the infiltrated precipitation may later percolate into streams as groundwater runoff. Direct measurement of runoff is made by stream gauges and plotted against time on hydrographs.

Most groundwater is derived from precipitation that has percolated through the soil. Groundwater flow rates, compared with those of surface water, are very slow and variable, ranging from a few millimeters to a few meters a day. Groundwater movement is studied by tracer techniques and remote sensing.

Ice also plays a role in the water cycle. Ice and snow on the Earth’s surface occur in various forms such as frost, sea ice , and glacier ice. When soil moisture freezes, ice also occurs beneath the Earth’s surface, forming permafrost in tundra climates . About 18,000 years ago glaciers and ice caps covered approximately one-third of the Earth’s land surface. Today about 12 percent of the land surface remains covered by ice masses.

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Unveiling Eons: Where Myths Breathe and Legends Live — Dive into the heart of ancient tales, explore mythology from across the world, and discover the legends that have shaped our past and continue to inspire our future.

The Kelpie’s Symbolism: Examining the Mythical Horse’s Meanings and Representations

• Post author: Mythology WorldWide
• Post published: September 26, 2024
• Post category: Mythological Creatures

Table of Contents

I. Introduction to the Kelpie

The Kelpie is a fascinating figure in Scottish folklore, a mythical horse that is said to inhabit the rivers and lakes of Scotland. Its origins can be traced back to ancient Celtic mythology, where water spirits were often depicted as both beautiful and treacherous. The Kelpie has become a symbol of the mysterious and often dangerous nature of water, embodying the qualities of allure and deception.

In Scottish folklore, the Kelpie is primarily known as a shape-shifting creature that lures unsuspecting travelers to their doom. This article will explore the various symbols and representations associated with the Kelpie, shedding light on its significance in both historical and modern contexts.

II. The Kelpie’s Physical Characteristics

A. description of the kelpie’s appearance.

The Kelpie is often depicted as a stunning black horse with a shimmering coat, reminiscent of the dark waters in which it resides. While it generally appears as a horse, it is known for its ability to change shape; sometimes it takes on a more human form, particularly that of a beautiful young woman.

B. Variations in representations across different cultures

Across various cultures, the interpretation of the Kelpie can differ. While Scottish lore predominantly presents it as a horse, other legends depict similar water spirits with diverse characteristics. For example:

• In Irish mythology, the Pooka is a shape-shifting creature that can take the form of a horse or other animals, often associated with mischief.
• In Norse myths, the Nix, a water spirit, is also known for its enchanting beauty and dangerous nature, drawing victims into the depths.

C. The significance of the Kelpie’s shape-shifting abilities

The ability to transform is central to the Kelpie’s identity. Shape-shifting represents the duality of nature—its capacity for both beauty and danger. This characteristic serves as a metaphor for the unpredictable aspects of life and the hidden perils beneath attractive surfaces.

III. The Kelpie as a Water Spirit

A. connection to rivers and lakes in scottish mythology.

Kelpies are intrinsically linked to bodies of water, often said to dwell in rivers, lakes, and lochs. Their presence signifies the spiritual connection between the land and water, highlighting the importance of these elements in Scottish culture.

B. Symbolism of water in folklore and its meanings

Water in folklore often symbolizes:

• Life and fertility, as it is essential for growth.
• Death and danger, representing the unknown and the potential for disaster.
• Transformation, as it can shape landscapes and influence the course of life.

C. The Kelpie’s role as a guardian of waterways

As a guardian, the Kelpie embodies the protective qualities of water. However, this guardianship comes with a warning; it serves as a reminder of the respect that must be afforded to nature’s forces, as they can be both nurturing and destructive.

IV. Themes of Transformation and Deception

A. the kelpie’s ability to disguise itself as a beautiful horse.

The Kelpie’s allure lies in its ability to appear as a magnificent horse, enticing those who encounter it. This transformation plays into the larger theme of deception present in many folklore tales, where appearances can be misleading.

B. Analysis of transformation in folklore and its symbolic meanings

Transformation in folklore often symbolizes:

• The dual nature of beings—good and evil, beauty and horror.
• The journey of self-discovery, where characters must navigate their identities.
• The consequences of choices, particularly when one is seduced by appearances.

C. The implications of deception and trust in the Kelpie’s stories

The Kelpie’s tales often serve as cautionary fables about trust. They remind us that not everything that appears beautiful is safe, and that one should be wary of the seductive nature of the unknown.

V. The Kelpie and Human Interaction

A. encounters between kelpies and humans in folklore.

Folklore is rich with stories of humans encountering Kelpies, often resulting in tragic outcomes. These encounters typically involve a traveler who is drawn to the Kelpie’s beauty, only to be dragged into the depths of the water.

B. Lessons learned from these interactions

These stories impart crucial lessons, such as:

• The importance of skepticism in the face of temptation.
• Respect for nature and its inherent dangers.
• The need for awareness of one’s surroundings and the potential for deception.

C. The Kelpie as a cautionary figure

As a cautionary figure, the Kelpie warns against naivety and the perils of blindly trusting appearances. Its role in folklore serves to educate and remind the audience of the complexities of both nature and human relationships.

VI. The Kelpie in Modern Culture

A. representation of the kelpie in literature and media.

The Kelpie continues to capture the imagination of writers and artists. In literature, it often appears in fantasy novels, children’s books, and poetry, where its character is reinterpreted for contemporary audiences.

B. Influence on contemporary art and storytelling

Artists draw inspiration from the Kelpie, creating works that explore themes of nature, beauty, and danger. The creature has also influenced movies, video games, and music, contributing to the broader genre of mythical creatures in modern storytelling.

C. The resurgence of interest in mythical creatures

In recent years, there has been a notable resurgence in the fascination with mythical creatures, including the Kelpie. This interest reflects a collective yearning to reconnect with folklore and explore the deeper meanings behind these age-old stories.

VII. Symbolism of the Kelpie in Broader Context

A. comparisons with other water spirits in mythology.

The Kelpie shares similarities with various water spirits in global mythology, such as:

• Mermaids, who can symbolize the allure and danger of the sea.
• Yemaya, a Yoruba goddess associated with water and motherhood.
• The Naiads of Greek mythology, who embody the beauty and peril of freshwater.

B. The Kelpie as a symbol of nature’s duality (beauty vs. danger)

The Kelpie encapsulates the duality of nature—its capacity to provide beauty and sustenance while also possessing the ability to harm. This duality is a recurring theme in myths worldwide, illustrating the balance of life.

C. Cultural interpretations of the Kelpie’s symbolism

Different cultures interpret the Kelpie’s symbolism in various ways. In some contexts, it represents the untamed aspects of nature, while in others, it serves as a metaphor for the human experience, highlighting the intricate relationship between humanity and the natural world.

VIII. Conclusion

A. summary of the kelpie’s meanings and representations.

The Kelpie is a multifaceted symbol within Scottish folklore, representing beauty, danger, and the complexities of nature. Its shape-shifting abilities and connection to water reflect deeper themes of transformation, deception, and caution.

B. The enduring legacy of the Kelpie in folklore and culture

The Kelpie’s legacy continues to thrive, as it remains a popular figure in literature, art, and modern storytelling. Its stories resonate across generations, reminding us of the lessons imparted by folklore.

C. Final thoughts on the significance of mythical creatures in understanding human experiences

Mythical creatures like the Kelpie serve as powerful symbols, reflecting our fears, desires, and the intricate relationship we have with the natural world. By studying these figures, we gain insight into the human experience and the timeless themes that connect us all.

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Cong MP demands splitting of OBC quota for better caste representation in Gujarat

Palanpur , Congress MP Geniben Thakor has demanded that the existing 27 per cent reservation quota in place for the Other Backward Classes be divided into two parts for better representation of all castes under the OBC category in Gujarat.

In a letter written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 17, Thakor said the split in OBC quota was necessary because out of the total 146 backward castes in Gujarat, only five to ten castes were getting majority of the benefits while other "extremely backward castes" received only one or two per cent benefits.

These extremely backward castes in Gujarat include Thakor, Koli, Vadi, Dabgar, Kharva, Madari, Nat, Salat, Vanzara, Dhobi, Mochi and Vaghri, said Thakor, who represents Banaskantha seat in Parliament as the lone Congress Lok Sabha MP from Gujarat.

To end the disparity, Thakor suggested that the 27 per cent OBC quota be split in two parts - 7 per cent quota for those who receive maximum benefits so far and a separate 20 per cent quota for the extremely backward classes that received negligible benefits during the last 20 years.

Without mentioning any specific castes, Thakor claimed that "five to ten" castes, which are economically powerful and socially closer to the general category castes, have been receiving 90 per cent of all the benefits under the 27 per cent OBC quota.

"On the other hand, Thakors, Kolis and other such castes, which are economically and socially weaker than others, received one or two per cent benefits. I demand that a survey be conducted to ascertain how much benefit these extremely backward castes received during the last 20 years," the parliamentarian said.

"After the survey, those five to ten castes, which had received maximum benefits, should be given seven per cent reservation within the 27 per cent quota while the extremely backward castes, that were left behind and did not receive the desired benefits, should be given the remaining 20 per cent reservation," Thakor said in the letter.

She claimed if this segregation of OBC quota is not implemented, people belonging to the extremely backward castes will continue to be poor while those five to ten castes will continue to prosper more by getting maximum benefit of the reservation.

Many other states, such as Bihar, Odisha, Haryana and West Bengal, had implemented this system of splitting the OBC quota for bringing equality among all castes, Thakor said.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.

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