I had a dream I was fishing in lake Superior, We were cruising at a very leisurely pace of appx 90 knots, when I got a bite, the fish was huge and friendly, so I tossed her back!
In the Egyptian system of hieroglyphs, the schematic figure of a lake
expresses the occult and the mysterious, probably by allusion to the underground
lake which the sun has to pass over during its ‘night-crossing’ (but also simply by
associating it with the symbolism of level, given that water always alludes to the
‘connexion between the superficial and the profound’; a lake becomes, then, a
fluid mass of transparency). In the temple of the god Amon, at Karnak, there was
an artificial lake symbolizing hyle—or the ‘lower waters’ of protomatter. And, at
certain times during the year, a procession of priests would cross the lake in
boats, in this way re-enacting the ‘night-crossing’ of the sun mentioned above
(19). The symbolism here is the same, broadly speaking, as that of the watery
deeps. The Irish and Breton belief that the Land of the Dead is at the bottom of
the ocean or of lakes may be derived from watching the sun setting over the water;
and the death of human beings, and therefore by analogy the setting of the sun,
was interpreted as passing over into the nether world. But, as we have suggested,
the structure of lake-symbolism may have arisen directly out of the symbolism of
level; for this latter symbolism, so deeply rooted in the psyche of man, equates all
that is on a low level spatially with what is low in a spiritual, negative, destructive, and hence fatal, sense. The fact that water-symbolism is closely connected
with the symbolism of the abyss serves to corroborate the fatal implications of
the lake-symbol, for the part played by the liquid Element is to provide the
transition between life and death, between the solid and the gaseous, the formal
and the informal. At the same time, the lake—or, rather, its surface alone—holds
the significance of a mirror, presenting an image of self-contemplation, consciousness and revelation.
To see a lake in your dream, signifies your emotional state of mind. You feel restricted and that you can't express your emotions freely. Alternatively, the lake may provide you with solace, security, and peace of mind. If the lake is clear and calm, then it symbolizes your inner peace. If the lake is disturbed, then you may be going through some emotional turmoil.
For a young woman to dream that she is alone on a turbulent and muddy lake, foretells many vicissitudes are approaching her, and she will regret former extravagances, and disregard of virtuous teaching.
If the water gets into the boat, but by intense struggling she reaches the boat-house safely, it denotes she will be under wrong persuasion, but will eventually overcome it, and rise to honor and distinction.
It may predict the illness of some one near her.
If she sees a young couple in the same position as herself, who succeed in rescuing themselves, she will find that some friend has committed indiscretions, but will succeed in reinstating himself in her favor.
To dream of sailing on a clear and smooth lake, with happy and congenial companions, you will have much happiness, and wealth will meet your demands.
A muddy lake, surrounded with bleak rocks and bare trees, denotes unhappy terminations to business and affection.
A muddy lake, surrounded by green trees, portends that the moral in your nature will fortify itself against passionate desires, and overcoming the same will direct your energy into a safe and remunerative channel. If the lake be clear and surrounded by barrenness, a profitable existence will be marred by immoral and passionate dissipation.
To see yourself reflected in a clear lake, denotes coming joys and many ardent friends.
To see foliaged trees reflected in the lake, you will enjoy to a satiety
Love's draught of passion and happiness.
To see slimy and uncanny inhabitants of the lake rise up and menace you, denotes failure and ill health from squandering time, energy and health on illicit pleasures. You will drain the utmost drop of happiness, and drink deeply of Remorse's bitter concoction.
Seeing a lake in your dream means your emotional state of mind. If the lake is clear and calm, then it symbolize your inner peace. If the lake is disturbed, then you may be going through some emotional turmoil.
All bodies of water generally represent our emotions and our unconscious. Old dream interpretation books say that lakes are associated with romantic feelings. If the lake is calm, your love life is probably in such good shape that you feel safe. Stormy water means to strap your self in and get ready for a bumpy ride. If you see a monster in the water, your unconscious may be suggesting that you have competition (or some unseen issue or problem).
In broad terms, the fish is a psychic being, or a ‘penetrative motion’
endowed with a ‘heightening’ power concerning base matters—that is, in the
unconscious. Because of the close symbolic relationship between the sea and the
Magna Mater, some peoples have held the fish to be sacred. There were some
Asiatic rites that embraced fish-worship, and priests were forbidden to eat it. As
Jung has pointed out, the son of Atargatis (Ashtart or Astarte) was named Ichthys
(31). Schneider notes that the fish is the mystic Ship of Life, sometimes a whale,
sometimes a bird, and at other times simply a fish or a flying fish, ‘but at all times
it is the spindle spinning out the cycle of life after the pattern of the lunar zodiac’
(50). That is to say, the fish incorporates a variety of meanings, reflecting the many essential facets of its nature. Schneider also mentions that for some people
the fish has a phallic meaning, whereas for others it has a purely spiritual symbolism. In essence, the character of the fish is twofold: by reason of its bobbin-like
shape, it becomes a kind of ‘bird of the nether regions’, symbolic of sacrifice and
of the relationship between heaven and earth. On the other hand, by virtue of the
extraordinary number of its eggs, it becomes a symbol of fecundity, imparting a
certain spiritual sense (50). In this last sense it is found among the Babylonians,
the Phoenicians, the Assyrians (4) and the Chinese (5). There are some fish that
have a secondary significance because of their peculiar characteristics: for instance, the sword-fish is associated with the unicorn (32). The Chaldaic peoples
used to portray the figure of a fish with the head of a swallow, as a harbinger of
cyclic regeneration, an idea directly related to the symbolism of Pisces, the last
sign of the Zodiac (40) (Plate IX). The fish became a primitive Christian symbol,
principally on the basis of the anagram drawn from the name for fish: ichthys, the
initials standing for ‘I-n6ov? X-pi6to? O-Eov Y-io? E-wtnp. Then it came to be
taken as a symbol of profound life, of the spiritual world that lies under the world
of appearances, the fish representing the life-force surging up.
To see fish swimming in your dream, signifies insights from your unconscious mind. Thus to catch a fish, represents insights which have been brought to the surface. Alternatively, a fish swimming in your dream may symbolize conception. Some women dream of swimming fish when they get pregnant. The fish is also an ancient symbol of Christianity and Christian beliefs. Consider the common phrases "like a cold fish", "fish out of water" or something that is "fishy" about a situation. It may also imply a slippery or elusive situation. Perhaps your dream could be telling you that "there are plenty of other fish in the sea", with regards to some relationship issue.
To dream that you are eating fish, symbolizes your beliefs, spirituality, luck, energy and nourishment. It is food for the soul.
To dream of cooking fish, indicates that you are incorporating your new realizations with your spiritual feelings and knowledge.
To dream that you are cleaning fish, suggests that you are altering your emotional expression in a way that will be presentable to others. You are censoring yourself and not expressing how you completely feel.
To dream that you see fish in clear-water streams, denotes that you will be favored by the rich and powerful.
Dead fish, signifies the loss of wealth and power through some dire calamity.
For a young woman to dream of seeing fish, portends that she will have a handsome and talented lover.
To dream of catching a catfish, denotes that you will be embarrassed by evil designs of enemies, but your luck and presence of mind will tide you safely over the trouble.
To wade in water, catching fish, denotes that you will possess wealth acquired by your own ability and enterprise.
To dream of fishing, denotes energy and economy; but if you do not succeed in catching any, your efforts to obtain honors and wealth will be futile.
Eating fish, denotes warm and lasting attachments.
Seeing fish swimming in your dream means insights from your unconscious mind. Thus to catch a fish, represents insights which have been brought to the surface. The fish is also an ancient symbol of Christianity and Christian beliefs. Consider also the common phrases "like a cold fish", "fish out of water" or something that is "fishy" about a situation. It may also imply a slippery or elusive situation. Dreaming that you are Seeing or eating fish, symbolizes your beliefs, spirituality, luck, energy and nourishment. It is food for the soul. Seeing a dead fish means disappointment and loss of power/wealth. Dreaming of cooking fish indicates that you are incorporating your new realizations with your spiritual feelings and knowledge. Dreaming that you are cleaning fish, suggests that you are altering your emotional expression in a way that will be presentable to others. You are censoring yourself and not expressing how you completely feel.
Some people believe that when you dream about fish you will soon find out that you or someone you know is pregnant (water of the womb). Others believe that if you see fish in your dreams, it is a forecast for sickness and poor health. In Christianity, Christ is at times represented by the fish symbol (spirituality). These water dwelling animals may represent messages from our unconscious and indicate to us how well we navigate through our emotional waters. They could symbolize body and soul nourishment and navigation through the unknown depths of our selves.
To fully appreciate the symbolic meanings of fish, we must first consider their watery domain.
Water holds ancient symbolic meanings dealing with the subconscious and depth of knowledge. Water contains all the mysteriousness of the unknown.
Consider the murky depths of the ocean – we never know quite what to expect there. Even seasoned oceanic explorers are still awed by their findings from the deep.
Water holds endless mystery to us – it represents that which is certainly there, but cannot be seen.
Water has also been known to be a womb symbol and as such, an emblem of birth, fertility and woman-ness. This association comes from many ancient flood myths, and the “from water springs life” concept.
Given the wonder that its domain holds, the fish too has similar symbolic meaning. There are numerous species of fish, but the creature in general holds some prime symbolic meanings:
fertility
eternity
creativity
femininity
good luck
happiness
knowledge
transformation
The fish was sacred to the Greco-Roman mythology, where it held symbolic meaning of change and transformation. We see this in the myth of Aphrodite and Heros when they turned themselves into fish in order to escape from the ferocious Typhon.
In Christianity, the fish is a symbol of abundance and faith as observed in the Biblical story of fishes and loaves. There are also several Biblical references as Christ and his disciples being “fishers of men.” Here, man is represented as the transformational fish and the ocean is a symbol of the abyss of sin in which man finds himself.
Pagan traditions recognized the fish as a feminine symbol of fertility and an attribute of the Goddess. Water is a natural emblem of the flow of the Divine Mother principal, and as such, all creatures of the water (including fish) are aspects of the fertility and power of the female deity.
As an ancient Celtic symbol, the symbolic meaning of fish (salmon, specifically) dealt with knowledge, wisdom, inspiration and prophecy. Ancient Celts believed the salmon derived its wisdom from consuming the sacred hazel nuts from the well of knowledge (Segais). Further, they believed to eat the salmon would mean gaining the wisdom of the well too.
In ancient Eastern Indian mythology, the fish is a symbol of transformation and creation. This is observed in the ancient flood myth in which Vishnu transformed himself into a fish (Matsya) to save the world from a great flood. In this form, he guided king Manu’s boat (which contained the select few survivors & seeds of life to re-create the world after the flood subsided) to safety.
Ancient African creation myths tell of Mangala, the creator, planting seeds in the cosmic womb. From these seeds two fish erupted, and were set forth into the cosmos upon the waters of creation. We see from this myth the symbolic meaning of fish yet again deals with fertility and creativity by embodying a new phase of initial life. ( click here for other twin symbols).
In China, the fish is symbolic of unity and fidelity as it is noted that fish (particularly koi) often swim together in pairs. With this in mind, fish are often given as wedding gifts in the form of charms or figurines to present the newly-wed couple with an auspicious sign of fidelity and perfect union. They also represent fertility and abundance due to their ability to reproduce in speed and volume.
Furthermore, in Buddhism, the fish symbolizes happiness and freedom. Also the fish makes an appearance as one of the eight sacred symbols of the Buddha: 1) Conch, 2) Lotus, 3) Parasol, 4) Wheel, 5) Knot, 6) Pair of Golden Fish, 7) Banner of Victory, 8) Vase.
Lastly, in Norse and ancient European cultures, the fish had symbolic meanings of adaptability, determination, and the flow of life. It was observed by these cultures that fish often display enormous attributes of adaptability in the wild, and they adopted these characteristics for themselves. Salmon were commonly revered for their determination in their annual pilgrimage to their spawning grounds – the entire journey swum against the current.
The fish is generally symbolic of decision and grace. The message of this graceful creature that dwells within water energy (emotions) is open-mindedness and decisiveness. Fish people are deeply psychic and heed their intuition (emotions and feelings) when making decisions, which may cause them to swim away from a situation until clear. The fish asks us to be sure that it is not fear holding us back from something that may be of great benefit to our lives. Peace is resumed when a decision is made, however you may change your mind guilt free, at any stage in your life.
Transformation of the spirit, the type of fish reveals certain strengths and traits, fish in general show how to swim the currents of life, use of intuition to navigate effectively, aids in attuning to the world of emotions, the un/subconscious and other-worlds, heightened senses including visions, dreams and related psychic abilities. Do you currently feel stuck? The river says its time flow. Fish can show how to ride the tide to new adventures.
This, like the great majority of symbols, has a double meaning embracing
both the mystic and the psychological planes. On the mystic level, the bite, or,
rather, teeth-marks, are equivalent to the imprint or the seal of the spirit upon the
flesh (since the teeth are the fortress-walls of the ‘inner’ or spiritual man). On the
psychological level, and especially where animal-bites are concerned, it is symbolic, according to Jung, of the sudden and dangerous action of the instincts upon
the psyche (32).
This dream omens ill.
It implies a wish to undo work that is past undoing.
You are also likely to suffer losses through some enemy.
To see knots in your dream, signify your worries over minor problems and small matters. You may be trying to find a resolution to a situation. It also denotes constraints and restrictions in your thoughts, feelings and actions.
To dream that you are tying a knot, symbolizes your independent and unyielding nature. You have everything under control. It may also mean a union of two people or a commitment to a relationship as suggested by the coming phrase "tying the knot".
To dream of seeing knots, denotes much worry over the most trifling affairs. If your sweetheart notices another, you will immediately find cause to censure him.
To tie a knot, signifies an independent nature, and you will refuse to be nagged by ill-disposed lover or friend.
Seeing knots in your dream means much worry over trifling affairs. You may be trying to find a resolution to a situation. It also indicates constraints and restrictions in your thoughts, feelings and actions. Dreaming that you are tying a knot, symbolizes your independent and unyielding nature. You have everything under control. It may also mean a union of two people or a commitment to a relationship as indicated by the coming phrase "tying the knot".
‘The path of the Grail was marked by a number of miracles; one of
the brothers was called Brous and was also known as “the rich fisherman” because he had succeeded in catching a fish with which he had satisfied the hunger
of all round him. Peter is called “the fisher of men” and the fish becomes a symbol
of Christ.’ This fragment of legend, taken from Waldemar Vedel, affords a clear
explanation of the mystic sense of fishing and the fisherman, a sense which has
been corroborated by all students of mythology and anthropology, Schneider
among them. Fishing amounts to extracting the unconscious elements from deeplying sources—the ‘elusive treasure’ of legend, or, in other words, wisdom. To
fish for souls is quite simply a matter of knowing how to fish in the soul. The fish
is a mystic and psychic animal that lives in water (and water is symbolic of
dissolution and, at the same time, of renovation and regeneration). The fisherman
is able—like the doctor—to work upon the very sources of life because of his
knowledge of these founts. This is how it comes about that Parsifal meets the
King of the Grail as a fisherman.
To dream that you are fishing, indicates that you are confronting and bringing your repressed emotions to the surface. In particular, to dream that you are ice fishing, suggests that you are breaking through a hardened emotional barrier and confronting difficult feelings from your unconscious. Alternatively, it represents your need for leisure and relaxation.
Consider the common phrase "fishing for compliments". Perhaps you are looking for attention.
Dreaming that you are fishing indicates that you are confronting and bringing your repressed emotions to the surface. In particular, to dream that you are ice fishing, suggests that you are breaking through a hardened emotional barrier and confronting difficult feelings from your unconscious.