Why I am trying to nail this is that I can see this myth as a symbolic story more than an accurate account of life in 1100BC or even 800BC - I think there are tickling bits about the life of that time but I also think the translators did not always have access to the archaeological finds that helped nail the story and they also translated from their own knowledge and experience so that they may have in their minds eye an understanding for translation that shades the meaning or story.
So with that I do own two books that give us the symbolic meanings in literature and the Internet has many other sites that help with this knowledge. Just as we know what a red light means or a sea buoy or a flying horse on a gas station sign other signs that are no longer as popular in their use can give us the importance of a story - having spoken with several authors they readily admit they were not writing to achieve this symbolic meaning as a secondary message - however, each admits it was right on and there must be an instinctive force that has them choose the happenings or use of props in the story when they write.
And so with that - the 5th chapter of the Odyssey is filled with symbolism.
Raft/Boat/Ship: carry the sun and moon across the seas. The earth is a boat floating on the primordial waters.
The raft, as in our story is the sheltering aspect of the Great Mother, the womb, the cradle, the vessel of transformation; a saviour and protector on the
sea of life. As bearer of the sun and moon boats represent fecundity and fertility of the waters; they signify adventure; exploration; setting out on the
sea of life; also crossing the water of death; crossing from this world to the next. The
ship of life, setting out on the waters of creation.
The mast has an axial symbolism - the mast is the
axis mundi and shares the significance of the Tree of Life.
Water: is the source of all potential in existence; the source and the grave of all things in the universe; the unmanifest; the first form of matter. All waters are symbolic of the Great Mother and associated with birth, the universal womb, the
prima materia, the waters of fertility and refreshment and the fountain of life.
Water is the liquid counterpart of light; the continual flux of the manifest world, with unconsciousness, they dissolve, abolish, purify, wash away and regenerate; they infuse new life; baptism by water or blood in initiatory religions, washes away the old life and sanctifies the new. Rebirth from the static condition of death, the waters of the spring or
Fountain of life rise from the root of the
Tree of life in the center of Paradise.
[There are issues of lower waters and higher waters - there is a whole bit on the relationship between fire and water - there are pages and pages of symbolic meanings for water - with just about every culture having their special association with a symbolic meaning for water.]
Water Greek: Aphrodite rose from the waters,
Poseidon controls the power of the waters. River
Lethe is oblivion and river
Styx is crossed at death.
Waves: as water in ceaseless movement, waves denote vicissitude, change, illusion, vanity , agitation.
Storm: the creative power, the bringer of fertilizing rain.
River: the flux of the world; the passage of life, the realm of the divinity, the macrocosm, The
River of Death, the world of change, the return to the source. Symbolized by the river flowing is the return to the pristine, paradisaical state to find enlightenment.
The mouth of the river shares the symbolism of the door or gate, giving access to another realm, to the ocean of unity, in rites of passage, or journeys from one state to another, the journey is from one bank to another, across the river of life or death.
If the journey is taken to the mouth of the river the banks become dangerous and must be avoided and the symbolism becomes that of the dangerous passage.
River Greek: Are depicted as virile men with horns and long, flowing beards.
Leaf:- [Odysseus covers himself with leaves] Fertility; growth; renewal, Dead leaves are sadness. Green leaves depict hope, revival, renewal.
Then all the numbers -
four days to build the raft -
two days in the storm at sea -
7 years on the Island - that is another whole post.
As to the various
Trees: - this is a pretty good link of two pages of symbolism for plants and flowers that includes most of the trees
Plants and Flowers of Greek Myth the ability to go to page two is at the bottom of the page.
The tree cited most often is the
Alder - this is a good paired down [would you believe] explanation:
Alder is a member of the Birch family... both Birch (Beith) and Hazel (Coll), have flowers and seeds born in catkins. Usually found near streams - as is the case with Willow (Saille) it does not thrive well on dry ground.
The wood used for pumps, troughs, sluices and for bridge building. It resists water, the timber fends off underwater decay indefinitely, used in the underwater construction of the Celtic lake dwellings found in Switzerland. Although a poor fuel Tree, as Willow, Poplar and Chestnut, it yields the best charcoal, continuing the image as a Fire Tree.
Alder/Fearn is seen to fend off the destructive power of Winter, signifying the Spring's dew and the year's true start.
In The Odyssey, Alder is the first of the three Trees of Resurrection - along with White Poplar and Cypress - forming the protective wood around the cave of Calypso, the daughter of Atlas. The Greek word for Alder, clethera, is derived from cleio, meaning, "I close" or "I confine”. In legend, paradisaical Apple orchard islands are surrounded for protection by Alder Trees.
Alder renders three different dyes. Red from bark, green from flowers and brown from its twigs. The dyes represent three of the four Elements - Fire, Water and Earth. The red dye was used to dye the faces of Sacred Kings in ritual. The green dye was associated with the clothing of Faeries, who may be regarded as survivors of earlier, dispossessed tribes and coincides with the legend of the Green Man. The use of these dyes are very ancient.
It is identified with Phoroneus who was the inventor of fire (which Prometheus brought to Man); also symbolizes Mars due to its inherent Fire nature, in addition it is seen as the lord of birth, death, generation and destruction, of sexual and spiritual power that can both liberate and destroy. Its powers, are said to promote courage, boldness and vitality.
Of its magical uses, whistles to call up the North Wind are made of the wood and divining rods are of Alder, used by Witches to make rain.
Since its buds grow in spirals, it has become a symbol of resurrection and new life and is a harbinger of Spring, showing a hardy survival to the rigors of Winter, reinforcing the resurrection and protective power image.
Its keyword in divination is 'foundation'. When Alder appears, it gives great strength in contentious situations or competition, granting tenacity and determination. Fearn's spiritual protection in disputes, allows for oracular strength but asks you to be true to your principles - your foundation - and thus to remain steadfast in decisions based upon this quality.
The challenge of Fearn/Alder is to have the knowledge of when to act, to allow change and when to remain quiescent. It may also indicate that you fear defeat to such a degree that your courage is impaired and you may hesitate when action is necessary. Alder tells you that you must listen to your inner voice, be receptive to its message. Similarly, since resurrection is called for, maintaining a youthful approach and demeanor may be helpful.
