A Dictionary of Dream Symbols

by Eric Ackroyd
(1) Diving may be a sexual symbol, representing male penetration. Water often symbolizes the feminine.

(2) (Deep) water sometimes symbolizes the unconscious; so diving may symbolize descent into the unconscious.

If this is the case, it will usually be a sign that your dream is recommending you to get in touch with your unconscious. Perhaps there are unconscious motivations - desires or fears - that are causing you to function inefficiendy; some neglected or undervalued part of you that you need to learn to respect and utilize if you are to achieve (fuller) satisfaction or happiness.

(3) There are myths of divers who plunge to the depths of the sea and bring up treasure. In psychological terms this represents either what is described in (2) above or the ego descending into the unconscious and finding the self (see Introduction, page 44).

The Curious Dreamer’s Dream Dictionary

by Nancy Wagaman
Diving into water can represent: A new beginning, starting a new process or project, or entering into a new phase or area in your life.

Becoming deeply involved in something.

An ending, an escape, or leaving something behind you (or a desire to do so).

Diving gear (such as mask or swim fins) can represent preparing to “be immersed” in a new, different, or challenging situation or environment.

Consider the individual items’ functions (such as a mask protecting or clarifying, or fins enabling you to make progress).

See Falling, Jumping, Descending, Underwater, Water, Swimming

Islamic Dream Interpretation

by Ibn Seerin
(Pearl fishery, Plunge) Ifone sees himself diving into the ocean for pearls in a dream, it indicates his attachment to worldly treasures. Ifone sees himself diving into the waters and finds out that he could get nothing out of it except mud in his dream, it means distress caused by someone in authority.

If one brings a pearl out of the water in a dream, it means marriage or acquiring knowledge or discovering a treasure. Ifone dives into a river and finds it difficult to come out of the waters in the dream, it means that he will suffer from burdens he cannot carry, or bear patience with adversities. Diving into the ocean to extract pearls from oysters in a dream also means seeking knowledge or wealth.

(Also see Pearl diver)