Water is often used to symbolize things in literature. Since water is often a sign of life, many times water represents life. Water can also be broken up into two categories: fresh water and bad/polluted water. Fresh water can represent good health, and bad water symbolizes bad health.

Rivers Edit

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Added by Swannie

The river is a sign of ease, grace and fluidity; as expressed by its meandering form. Often times it is used to represent the calm beauty of nature. In Feng Shui (the ancient Chinese art of placement to improve qi flow), certain types of rivers are often described as auspicious and healthy.== ==A fast-flowing river can often be used to symbolize strength; sometimes calamity. Calamity can be represented through a disaster, such as the river flooding a nearby town or village

Added by Swannie

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The Ocean Edit

The Ocean is a sign of power and strength, dominating all other symbols of water--due to its immensity. All life was ocean-born and life still exists in the ocean; therefore the ocean represents life. Also, the ocean represents mystery. The ocean is known for being unpredictable and uncontrolable, hard to navigate in time of storm and sometimes known for being beautifully calm; always at it's own will or Neptune's (Roman god of the sea). Sometimes, the ocean is refered to as being a tear of God or the sorrow; a place where you leave your bad memories and sadness.

ReferencesEdit

About.com: The Four Classical Elements