Val, 2023 - Colin Waeghe
- Medium: oil on canvas
- Size:180x140 cm
A visit to a waterfall is a calming experience for most people, as these areas usually remain unexplored by man and bring people closer to nature and away from the worries of life. In most cultures and traditions around the world, waterfalls symbolize peace, calm, serenity and purity. No matter what time of year you visit a waterfall, the scenic views never cease to amaze and delight.
Waterfalls symbolize the energy that drives everything in the universe and its continuous flow. Beautiful waterfalls are also used in countless stories and myths throughout history and symbolize hidden knowledge, secrets and mystery. They symbolize awareness, continuity, diversification, self-improvement, maturity, clarity, purity, transformation, success, spiritual enlightenment, strength, resilience and nature.
THE ARTIST: Colin Waeghe
Colin Waeghe is a socially engaged artist who finds inspiration in his own experience and environment, but also in current events and the media. He works in series in which identi-ty, society and politics are prominent. His paintings merge memories, interpretations and observations from the past and present. They are equally influenced by literature, cinema, philosophy and art history.
Over the years, Colin Waeghe has developed a personal signature with an impressionistic touch. Numerous small brushstrokes and a remarkable colorite create a distinctive stain ef-fect, which reflects his view on the world: not as a stagnant existence, but as every-changing matter. His images are full of energy and subdued tension.
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The waterfall also represents continuity and the flow of life - how life flows, including its highs and lows. The water follows a rhythm that changes slightly yet continues to flow rapidly. The water falling off the edge, creating the waterfall, is associated with the continuity of life. Whether you succeed or fail, the flow of life remains uninterrupted.
The terrain of the waterfall is mostly elevated, fertile and a suitable habitat for animals and various plant species.
You will witness thriving life in the area, such as vines hanging along the waterfall, an abundance of different species of fish in the water and different types of animals and birds that thrive on what nature provides. This biodiversity that makes a waterfall possible makes it a symbol of diversity.
A waterfall seems like a peaceful sight from a distance, but as you get closer, you notice the chaos.
Waterfalls carry a huge amount of debris, tree branches and rocks, which are thrown forcefully from the edge into the plunge pool (the base of the waterfall). This mixture of calm and chaos is a reflection of life itself. This depiction of waterfalls is widely used in art and literature, where people sailing down a calm stream are unaware of the waterfall ahead and they are about to be thrown into the plunge pool.
If you see water flowing toward a waterfall from a few miles away, it will usually flow at a calm and steady pace. But once the water ap-proaches the miter of the waterfall, the velocity increases and the water becomes turbulent and eventually falls into the plunge basin.
If you see the water flowing toward a waterfall from a few miles away, it will usually flow at a calm and steady pace. But once the water gets near the miter of the waterfall, the speed increases and the water becomes turbulent and eventually falls into the plunge pool. The water falling off the edge represents upcoming challenges in life and is a sign to stay prepared. These challenges are part of daily life and lead to self-improvement and maturity.
Since the beginning of human civilization, water and waterfalls have been symbolized as a sign of purity.
Most cultures believed that waterfalls only occurred in places where there was no evil. Standing right under them is seen as taking a cleansing shower with a pure substance, water.
According to ancient Chinese legends, waterfalls symbolize transformation and success. However, showing perseverance and steadfast faith is crucial to achieving this success.
Another common symbolic meaning of waterfalls is spiritual enlightenment. Water is considered a divine symbol associated with the spiritual realm in cultures with strong ties to spirituality.
Their constant flow and loud but peaceful sound are associated with enlightenment and spiritual ascension.
Their constant flow and loud but peaceful sound are associated with enlightenment and spiritual ascension.
The mist produced by their free-falling water releases negative energy and purifies the soul. In contrast, the sound produced by the downpour of water represents inner peace and tranquility.
In some cultures, they are considered a gateway to the spiritual realm and a place of connection between the physical and spiritual worlds.
The force with which the water falls from the waterfall represents strength and power. It is a metaphor for the resilience of the human spirit. The falling water also shows the pure power of Mother Nature, and its flow is connected to the unstoppable flow of time.
Waterfalls not only have various spiritual and symbolic meanings, but are also seen as a representation of nature.
The soothing images and natural sound effects evoke feelings of calm, peace and serenity and remind us of the beauty of the natural world. The plants and animals surrounding the waterfall are seen as a symbol of vitality. Waterfalls also remind us of nature’s protection and thriving habitats. In most stories, myths, legends and popular culture, waterfalls are seen as mysterious bodies that hold secrets. The falling water that hides a secret passage to forbidden knowledge or power is also mentioned in several novels and shown in movies.
Waterfalls in dreams have different meanings depending on the plot and particular details of the dream. In general, most dreams about waterfalls represent your inner self, repressed emotions and fears.
In a nutshell, waterfalls are more than a natural phenomenon. They occupy a unique place in human mythology, spirituality and symbo-lism and represent life, transformation, spiritual enlightenment, strength and the majestic beauty of nature.
In addition to a serene view, waterfalls are connected to continuity, like the cycle of life. The water that flows through them comes from glaciers, rivers and streams, flowing through different types of terrain before finally emptying into the ocean.
Regardless of the terrain or weather conditions, they continue to flow, and that is what waterfalls symbolize most - the flow and continu-ation of life and energy in the universe.