Raindrops and Dreams

Symbology Lotus flowers: lotus flowers are symbols of rebirth, renewal, resilience and strength. Lotus flowers are present through the story, representing the journey of all the family members and friends who are present and assisting with the family’s recovery. Butterfly nurses: represents the nurses and social support workers who assist Mum, symbolising help and guidance. Bruise/bandage on Mum’s tail: represents physical harm and injury. Miss Apple’s apron and apples: shows the hard and complex work done by professionals who work with domestic and family violence survivors. Apples represent life, good health, future happiness and renewal. Aunty Alice’s hand on Lillygator’s snout: signifies the care and comfort provided by family and friends. Fish: symbolises that domestic and family violence impacts multiple individuals who surround the primary victims. Also shines a light on children as victims in their own right. Flower on Mum’s head: symbolises the changes in Mum’s physical and psychological state and her emotional journey. Sometimes the flower is vibrant, sometimes wilting, sometimes fallen – depending on Mum’s wellbeing.

Kookie: kookaburra who gathers the community in support of Mum and the children. Represents the community standing up against domestic and family violence. Glow lights around Kookie: represents the often hidden nature of domestic and family violence, despite the contrasting view of living in a magical and happy environment. The beginning of the domestic and family violence incident: depicts stormy waters that reflect Dad’s anger and physical, verbal and emotional abuse towards others. Dad’s large and angry physical appearance compared to Bubbles’s small stature represents power imbalances between adults and children, and also symbolises the vulnerability of children. Under water: representative of the hidden and undisclosed nature of domestic and family violence. Heart on Bubbles’s overalls: represents love and affection, care, life, vitality, emotional strength, unity and togetherness. Colours of blue and pink where Mum and Dad meet at a bridge: represents the bridge between the separate worlds of two people. Represents individual journeys to recovery. Rainbow and children’s toys : symbolises hope. Children’s items such as a teddy bear and bicycle symbolise the children returning to dreaming of age and developmentally appropriate things and experiences.

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