
What Does It Mean to Dream of Drowning While Trying to Swim?
Understanding the Significance of Drowning While Swimming Dreams
Dreams of drowning while trying to swim are often deeply unsettling and can evoke feelings of fear, anxiety, and helplessness. This type of dream might reflect your internal struggles or emotions, suggesting that you may feel overwhelmed by circumstances in your waking life. Water, as a universal symbol in dream interpretation, often represents emotions and the unconscious mind.
In drowning dreams, you may find yourself fighting against the current, which is a metaphor for battling your challenges and feelings. Such dreams beckon you to pay attention to aspects of your life where you feel submerged or out of control. By understanding what these dreams symbolize, you may gain insights into your emotional landscape, guiding you on your path toward healing and personal growth.
So let us delve deeper into the meaning behind this poignant imagery, offering you clarity and understanding.
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- Dreams of drowning symbolize feelings of being overwhelmed or suffocated by emotions.
- This dream may reflect personal struggles or anxiety about control in your life.
- It can also indicate a desire for emotional release or a need for help from others.

Symbols
- sinking
- Leaking water:
- Falling in deep waters:
Failing into deep waters and not reaching the bottom of it in a dream means prosperity and wealth, for the world is a deep ocean. A sudden fall into water in a dream also means joy and money.
- Rudders:
(Boat; Human being; Might; Mother; Prison; Star; Salvation; Stress) Seeing a ship in a dream means escape from danger, overcoming adversities, recovering from an illness, or it could represent rain after a severe drought. If one who is experiencing adversities sees a ship or a boat anchored in a harbor in his dream, it means that his adversities will be lifted shortly. If one sees himself pulling it, or driving it on dry land in a dream, it means that he is a hypocrite or a pimp.
If he rides a ship along with righteous people in a dream, it means that he is guided on the straight path and that his sins will be forgiven. If one reaches the shore and leaves the boat in a dream, it means that he will live in safety and happiness, and he will escape from the danger of his enemies. If one who is dismissed from his work sees himself on a boat in a dream, it means that he will be rehired to occupy the same office and regain his authority, or that he may take DICTIONARY OF DREAMS 385 a dangerous trip during which he may either die or escape from death.
If one thinks that the ship does not befit his class or rank in the dream, it means that he will face danger. If one’s ship is drowning, and if another ship comes to its rescue in the dream, it means that one will escape from a great danger to fall into the hands of a strong person, or that he will escape from a danger, though should he disobey its captain and abandon the second ship in his dream, it means that he may disobey his leader and go astray. Recovering one’s ship from the deep in a dream means regaining power.
If the ship in one’s dream is interpreted as power, it means that he will lose his power or authority. If the ship is interpreted as burdens and difficulties, it means that he will overcome them through prayers or giving charity, or taking a medicine if he is ill. If one’s ship drown, and if he sees himself floating in the water holding to a panel or debris from the ship in the dream, it means that he will face the wrath of someone in authority.
If he is holdings leadership position, it means that he may lose it. If he is a merchant, it means that he may go bankrupt. If he still dies from his trial in the dream, it means that he may be killed, and his death will still be an escape from something he feared most.
An empty ship in a dream means business profits. Seeing a passenger ship transporting people in a dream means safety. If the ship is floating still in the dream, it means imprisonment.
To hold to the rope of a ship in a dream represents a religious person who joins the company a pious teacher. Even if one sees himself dropping the ropes, or lowering the anchor in his dream, it means that he will remain in the company of such a person. Riding a ship along with one’s family, relatives and friends in a dream means honor, prosperity and escape from one’s enemies.
If one sees himself crossing the sea with a small boat in the dream, it represents a danger he will face. Seeing a ship floatingnicely in a dream means happiness. Standing on the shore and watching a ship in the sea in a dream means receiving glad tidings.
If one sees the ship ascending in the skies in a dream, it represents slow coming benefits, and if the ship is descending from the sky, it denotes fast coming benefits. The beams of a ship represent religious men, faith, holding fast to one’s religion, or they could mean complications. The sails of a ship in a dream represent its captain.
The crew represents servants. The rowing oars, the rudders, or the propellers in a dream represent the movement of the ship, or the children of its owner. The condition of a ship represents the state of the person seeing the dream or his living condition.
If one rescues a drowned ship in a dream, it means that he will discover a treasure, or it could mean marriage if one is unwed, or a financial gift for one who works for a governor. If one sees himself as a ship ebbing and stretching as the tide fall in the sea, then if the sea calms in the dream, it means that he will receive a high ranking appointment, leadership, authority and honor. If one sees a ship floating over a sea of blood in a dream, it means adultery.
If the ship sinks, and if some of its debris and boards remain afloat in the dream, it may mean the death of one’s mother, for one’s mother was once his ship. Buying a ship in a dream means getting married. Carrying oars in a dream means knowledge.
A flying ship in a dream means the death of its rider. A flying ship in a dream also may represent another type of vehicle, or it could mean a coffin or a funeral. If one dies inside a ship that has sunk in a dream, it means that he will be saved from suffering in the hereafter, and he will also escape from what he fears most in this world.
If he finds a hole in the ship in his dream, it means that he may escape from drowning. A ship in a dream also represents a heavy built woman. In a dream, a ship also represents the Bridge of Judgement {Sirat) that will be stretched on the Day of Resurrection for the creation to cross into the land of the Grand Gathering.
A ship in a dream also represents salvation, avoiding ignorance, or overcoming temptation. If a sick person sees himself riding in the morgue of a ship with dead people in a dream, it means that he will escape from the trials of this world. If a healthy 386 IBN SEERIN’S person who is seeking knowledge does so in a dream, it means that he may meet with a spiritual teacher to benefit from his knowledge and wisdom, and to escape from ignorance.
If an indebted person does so in his dream, it means that he will repay his debts, while for a deprived person, he too will find plenitude and acquire wealth from unexpected sources. If one sees his ship sailing to the shore, then if it becomes amphibious, driving him on dry land in the dream, it means that he will waiver in his faith and deviate from the path of truth to follow innovations, hypocrisy and insolence. If he is not seeking knowledge, it means that he will divorce his wife, then proceed to live with her in sin.
If he is a merchant, it means that his business will stagnate and he will seek unlawful methods to market his merchandise. In a dream, a ship also represents good deeds, righteous companions, associating with a wise man, a good fellowship, praiseworthy deeds, a handcraft, stagnation of one’s business, fear, hope, salvation, a mosque, a marketplace, one’s father, one’s mother, master, teacher, educator, wealth, a house, an adulteress, a vehicle, one’s wife, or his servant. A ship in a dream also represents a tavern in the sense that one enters it sober and leaves it light headed.
A ship in a dream also represents the human form and its body represents his body. Its oars represent his hands. Its front represents his head.
Its contents represent his brain. Its boards represent his ribs, and its ropes represent his veins, etcetera. If one sees a ship sitting on top of a mountain in a dream, it means safety, or escape from a danger, or protection from one’s enemy.
If it sinks in the sea in the dream, it also means that he is one of the dwellers of hell-fire. If the ship turns into iron in the dream, it means longevity. Eating the wood of a ship in a dream means receiving a sizeable inheritance, or it could mean eating forbidden meat.
If one sees a ship talking to him and soothing his understanding in a dream, it means that he will listen to the admonition of a wise man. Seeing Noah’s arc in a dream means happiness, joy, festivities, salvation, relief from stress and worries, protection from drown¬ ing, marriage and a presiding position, or victory over one’s enemy.
- striving to swim
- Swimmer:
A swimmer in a dream represents someone who strives to serve his superiors or people in the government, though little is what he can offer.
- Troubled waters:
Swimming in troubled waters or in high tides in a dream means adversities, or having to face a strong opponent.
- High tides:
(Ocean) In a dream, swimming in troubled waters or high tides means adversities, or having to face a strong opponent.
- Swimmer:
- submerging
- Diver:
(Go under; Submerse) In a dream, a diver represents a spy, an inspector or a reporter.
- Falling in deep waters:
Failing into deep waters and not reaching the bottom of it in a dream means prosperity and wealth, for the world is a deep ocean. A sudden fall into water in a dream also means joy and money.
- Pearl fishery:
- Diver:
- attempting to swim
- Troubled waters:
Swimming in troubled waters or in high tides in a dream means adversities, or having to face a strong opponent.
- Swimmer:
A swimmer in a dream represents someone who strives to serve his superiors or people in the government, though little is what he can offer.
- Government:
(Ocean. See Swimmer)
- Troubled waters:
- trying to swim
- Troubled waters:
Swimming in troubled waters or in high tides in a dream means adversities, or having to face a strong opponent.
- Government:
(Ocean. See Swimmer)
- Swimmer:
A swimmer in a dream represents someone who strives to serve his superiors or people in the government, though little is what he can offer.
- Troubled waters:
- drowning
- Drowning:
Drowning in a dream means falling into sin and incurring the displea¬ sure of God Almighty. Drowning in a dream also means entering hell-fire. If one dies of drowning in his dream, one should fear going astray or following innovations.
Drowning in the sea, then floating in the process of trying to save oneself from death in a dream means indulging in the business of the world and ±OU 1BN SEERIN’S forgetting about one’s spiritual commitment. It also means attaining success in one’s endeavors and gaining a strong foothold in one’s business. If one does come out of the water alive in his dream, it means amending his life for the better and pursuing the correct course of serving one’s religious life.
If one sees himself after coming out of the water wearing a green garment in a dream, it means that he will pursue the path of knowledge and succeed in acquiring it. If one drowns and plunges to the bottom of the sea in a dream, it means that he will incur the wrath of someone in authority who will persecute him and cause him to perish. Drowning in a dream also means dying from an illness.
Drowning in seawater in a dream means revival of one’s faith in God Almighty. Drowning in freshwater in a dream means becoming extremely wealthy.
- High tides:
(Ocean) In a dream, swimming in troubled waters or high tides means adversities, or having to face a strong opponent.
- Tides:
(Ocean) In a dream, swimming in troubled waters or high tides means adversities, or having to face a strong opponent.
- Drowning:
Practical Tips for Understanding Your Drowning Dreams
- Reflect on Your Current Emotions
When you experience a dream of drowning, take a moment to reflect on your feelings in your waking life. Are there situations or relationships that are overwhelming you? Keeping a dream journal can be particularly helpful; jot down your dream details and the emotions felt while dreaming.
This practice can help you identify recurring themes or triggers in your life. Recognizing these aspects allows you to confront your feelings more openly and perhaps seek the support or guidance you require. This method also serves to acknowledge your fears, which is the first step to overcoming them—validating your emotions can lead to a healthier perspective on whatever may be causing distress.
Taking proactive steps after such reflections can facilitate personal growth and emotional healing.
- Seek Support from Others
If your dreams of drowning leave you feeling anxious or fearful, consider talking to someone you trust about your feelings. Sharing these insights can relieve some of the emotional burden. Whether it is a friend, family member, or a professional, expressing your concerns can unburden your heart and provide clarity.
Engaging in support networks can remind you that you are not alone in your struggles. Additionally, if you recognize that specific life stresses are contributing to these dreams, obtaining advice or practical assistance may help alleviate those pressures. Sometimes, a fresh perspective from another person can illuminate solutions you may not have considered, fostering a sense of community and support that nurtures your well-being.

FAQs
- What does it mean if I dream of drowning repeatedly?
Repeatedly dreaming of drowning often symbolizes persistent feelings of being overwhelmed in your daily life. This may indicate unresolved emotional issues or stress, suggesting a need to confront what is causing this anxiety.
- Can drowning dreams relate to my mental health?
Yes, drowning dreams can be reflective of internal psychological states, such as anxiety, depression, or feeling trapped. These dreams may signal the importance of addressing your mental health and seeking the appropriate support.
- Is there a cultural interpretation for drowning in dreams?
In various cultures, water symbolizes emotions and the unconscious. Drowning may signify fear of losing control or feeling engulfed by one's feelings. Cultural context can shape individual interpretations significantly.
- What should I reflect on if I had this dream?
Consider reflecting on aspects of your life that feel overwhelming or beyond your control. It is also important to explore any feelings of guilt, fear, or anxiety related to current circumstances in your life.
- How can I stop having drowning dreams?
To address recurring drowning nightmares, practice stress management techniques such as mindfulness, meditation, or journaling. Understanding and confronting your fears can lead to reduced anxiety, potentially alleviating these troubling dreams.