From the perspectives of linguistics and literary semiotics, this paper decodes the water symbolism in Nguyen Ngoc Tu’s short story The Endless Field to elucidate the aesthetic messages and philosophical insights conveyed by the author. Investigating the system of naming conventions and linguistic codes used to describe the water environment, the paper highlights the hauntingly dual nature of water symbolism across three primary layers of meaning: the source of love and family happiness associated with femininity and maternal imagery; a realm of dryness, death, and alienation when tragedy strikes; and a vivid depiction of the poverty, hardship, and ultimate impasse experienced by Southern Vietnamese peasants. Water symbolism serves not only as a polysemous artistic space reflecting human suffering but also as a core aesthetic anchor affirming Nguyen Ngoc Tu’s artistic talent and profound humanitarian compassion.

Keywords: water symbolism, river, The Endless Field, Nguyen Ngoc Tu.