OK, take your pick:
River as life:
As in the broader symbol of elemental water. The river brings fresh water down from the mountains (home of the gods) and distributes it to the people. The water irrigates the fields, allows the people to grow food. It is the lifeblood of Nature. the river thus symbolises a nourishing, revitalizing force which is needed to survive.
River as social link:
Rivers were mankind's first means of large-scale transportation. Villages and cities were built along rivers because they were the most practical way of moving goods and people inland. The river thus represents a link to the rest of society. Those who can build boats and navigate the river (those with the right attitude and social skills) can move easily through different social circles and meet new people. They are less attached to their origins and more inclined to explore.
River as obstacle:
Rivers often serve as borders between countries. For those who cannot navigate it, the river is a mighty obstacle which limits their possibilities. They cannot go where (with who) they want and have to stay in the region (society) delimited by that frontier. This is why people need bridges. But you can't build a bridge alone. They know the river is dangerous. If you can't swim, it will carry you under. People kill themselves in rivers. Sometimes the river can flood and come get you on your little piece of ground wether you like it or not.
River as time:
The flow of the river represents the temporal flow. Its movement from the source to the sea signifies the life of man: development, ageing, evolution, adaptation. Change. It is slow, regular, inexorable. It carries memories and experiences. See the many myths of babies being abandoned adrift on a river to float towards their destiny, or the practices of disposing of the dead in a river. Vampires couldn't cross running water because it represented the passage of time, from which their immortality removed them. |
