Symbol Dictionary: Water
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Fountain: As sources of life-giving water, springs and fountains have traditionally represented a source of fertility and the “water of life.” Man, Myth And Magic: The Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Mythology, Religion And The Unknown (1995), “As the springhead of living waters, source of fruitfulness and life, fountains have been seen as the haunt of virgin nymphs and as be bestowers of youth and wisdom.”
Ganges: Millions come to the Ganga River in India every year to bath because the Ganges is a symbol of cleansing, baptism, and redemption. Daughter of the Mountain-mother Nanda Devi (Blessed Goddess), the Goddess Ganga claimed the river as a tool of her magic powers. Barbara Walker in her book, The Woman’s Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets, (1983) recounts the words of a hymn to Shiva, “Heaps of sin, accumulated by a sinner during millions of births [an allusion to reincarnation], are destroyed by the mere contact of a wind charged with her vapor... As fire consumes fuel, so this stream consumes the sins of the wicked. Sages mount the staired terrace of the Ganges; on it they transcend the high heaven of Brahma himself: free from danger, riding celestial chariots, they go to Shiva’s abode. Sinners who expire near the water of the Ganges are released from all their sins: they become Shiva’s attendants and dwell at his side. They become identical with him in shape; they never die— not even on the day of the total dissolution of the universe.”
Wells: Wells traditionally have symbolized a feminine regenerative power. Barbara Walker, in her book, The Woman’s Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983) explains, “Springs, fountains, ponds, wells were always female symbols in archaic religions, often considered water-passages to the underground womb, in northern Europe associated with Mother Hel, whose name also gave rise to ‘holy’ and ‘healing.’”