Yet they established mood each time they were shown. They also worked as motifs. Symbols and motifs can do both. Understanding symbols is fundamental to understanding prophecy. To search for the meaning of these, I reviewed the use of water in Biblical literature.
Water is actually a motif.
Traditional views of symbolism regard the ocean, and water, as a threat to man. Water is connected with images of flooding - the vast uncontrollable ocean is always threatening to crawl onto shore, wave after wave, drowning everyone with its might and its depth. Fresh water was a precious commodity in an ancient land bordering arid lands, where wells and springs were scarce. The community wells were daily gathering places for socializing and fellowship. Water set a mood for ancient people that suggested life, community and caring.