Portents

Portents (plural of portent) are signs or warnings of something significant, usually negative or calamitous, that is likely to happen in the future. They can manifest in various forms, including natural occurrences, unusual events, dreams, or specific omens. The interpretation of portents often involves looking for symbolic meaning and discerning a message about what is to come. Historically, portents have played a crucial role in decision-making, particularly among leaders and societies reliant on divination or belief in supernatural forces, to guide actions and avoid potential dangers. Understanding portents typically involves a level of interpretation, cultural context, and often, a degree of superstition or belief in the unseen.

Portents meaning with examples

• The sudden storm and ominous black clouds over the battlefield were interpreted as portents of doom, leading the general to reconsider his aggressive strategy. His advisors urged caution, believing the weather mirrored a divine disapproval. Many among the army lost heart, convinced this foreshadowed imminent defeat and the loss of many soldiers.
• During the eclipse, many individuals took to social media, sharing their fears; they felt the strange solar event was a portent of global unrest and economic turmoil, as the shadows held symbolic meaning. News agencies highlighted this fear; scientists tried to calm the world's nerves, citing a historical understanding of the natural world, but to no avail.
• Her recurring nightmares of shadowy figures and falling towers were unsettling portents, which she attempted to ignore. However, the dream's continued vividness and intensity eventually compelled her to seek the guidance of a dream interpreter and begin preparations to deal with what she knew was coming.
• The widespread crop failures and outbreaks of disease served as dire portents for the upcoming winter, threatening starvation and social upheaval within the already strained kingdom. The King tried to take precautions, hoping to prepare for the upcoming hardships, but the people still felt threatened by the looming crisis.
• As the old woman shuffled into the village, a sense of unease permeated the market; the villagers took her arrival as an unwelcome portent of famine and drought because of her reputation. No one would deal with her, and she returned to the wilderness. The air felt heavy, filled with foreboding.