The River As A Symbol (1)

The River as symbol of time. Symbolically, a river represents the flow of Time. It symbolizes the natural flow of nature along with all of its cycles, transitions, transformations and passageways. When we stand in the middle of a bridge above a river, and look down, we experience a powerful, awe-inspiring, hypnotic sensation as we watch the river flow beneath our feet. Although it is the same river, it is the continual flow of new water within that river which mesmerizes and enchants us. The metaphor, "A lot of water under the bridge" paints a mental picture of the hypnotic effect of the passage of time.

To get an even deeper "feel" for this passage of time, let us first consider the birth, journey and final transformation of a river.

A river begins as a spring of water high up in the mountains. Mountains symbolize the higher realms of consciousness. They are the home of Gods and Wise Men and represent the border between the realms of Heaven and Earth. This high mountain spring of water is water which has been filtered and cleansed by way of a multi-year (and perhaps, multi-century) journey through the womb of Mother Earth. When this water finally emerges from Mother Earth it is sacred, pure and life-giving.

After leaving its mountain spring, these waters join with other waters from other mountain springs to eventually form a river.

A river does not flow in a straight line, it has many twists and turns. These twists and turns are nature's way of keeping its life-giving waters healthy: they create the eddys that aerate the water which is so vital to the nourishment and preservation of all the people, animals and vegetation which rely on the river for sustenance.

Once the river has completed all of the twists and turns of its long journey it finally empties into the sea. The point at which the river enters the sea is called its Delta. The delta is a triangular area which forms at the mouth of the river. The word delta is derived from a Greek symbol, also in the shape of a triangle, which means "change". Upon passing through its delta the river "changes". Its individuality comes to an end as it merges with all of the other rivers, which have also ended their long journeys, to become part of the "One Great Sea".

Rivers as symbols of fertility. Now that we have briefly explored the life-journey of a river, let us move on to the symbolism, mythology, metaphor and lessons contained within the river and its waters. First of all, although a river is composed of water, it is important to understand that the river and its water are two separate and distinct essences; they are two separate and distinct principles. Water is the Feminine Essence which gives birth and nourishes. The river, on the other hand, is the Masculine Principle which impregnates the soil of Mother Earth with Its Water. Life on this planet cannot exist without the life-giving nourishment of water, and it is the river that provides that water.