Sunday, June 9, 2002		Dream Theme

Dreaming of boats
Vinaya Katoch Manhas

— Shakespeare

BOATS and ships are generally covered under the theme of water, but in certain instances they also have to be analysed as independent symbols in dreams. The boat is generally taken as a symbol of solution to problems. But if you dream that the boat gets trapped in a storm or sinks, it portrays failure on your part to solve the problem vexing you or achieve success.

As per Indian thought, to see yourself travelling in a boat in pleasant weather is a good omen. it means you shall be successful, shall gain in business and shall be happy in your married and family life. But should the water be muddy, with high waves rising, then it foretells several problems and difficulties. If you dream that you are the boatman, then again it is a good omen, for it foretells gainful travel.

Should you see that you have to put in a lot of effort to make the boat sail fast, then it foretells hardships and struggle. If you see that your boat capsizes, then again it is a bad omen, predicting failure.

As per western thought, dreams of boats foretell bright prospects if you see yourself sailing on clear waters. If the water is unsettled and turbulent, it means that troubles and worries await you. If you see yourself having a merry party on a boat ,then it means that lots of favours shall come your way. Ill-luck shall dog a dreamer who sees himself fall overboard while sailing on rough waters.

Psychoanalytically speaking, dreaming of a boat or a ship is indicative of our own capability to cope with our emotions. It is representative of our ability to navigate our life successfully and be in control of it. To be alone in a boat portrays the need to consider our ability to handle isolation. On the contrary, being on a large ship with a group of people alerts us to review our ability to handle relationships with others. To dream about missing a boat portrays our fear of missing out on an opportunity.

A boat is also linked to the symbol of cradle due to its association with water. Thus, it has associations with mother and with our earliest and most primal emotions.

A woman of 52 often dreamt of sailing in a boat all alone and sailing off into the sea where the sun was setting. In fact, she would see herself and the boat get smaller and smaller as the boat sailed further and further away. The dream was actually a portrayal of her desire to get out of the rut of her present life and do something which would bring her peace and calm. Being a mother of three children, all in their 20s, unmarried but trying to lead separate lives under one roof had led to a lot of tension and worries. This explained why she repeatedly dreamt of running away.