my boyfriend and i started analyzing the symbolism in this movie and came up with the following:

 water = cleans guilt

blood = guilt

when the younger sister was talking to the dying french guy (and btw, why did they let a french guy in there? we decided its because thats where whats his name was, her sisters lover, who was also dying). the younger sister got blood on her face and the head nurse told her to go wash the blood off her. symbolizes her responsibility in the death of her sisters lover (sorry im awful with names)

then…or earlier actually, when he was walking in france through the woods and he came across a large area full of murdered school girls…..this symbolizes the death of the younger sisters childhood and innocence, and that she is now awaking as an adult and beginning to realize the magnitude of her sins.

 also, i noted that the lover died of dehydration, why the elder sister died from drowning. it was complementary and suggests how much they both needed each other. they were dying emotionally without each other.

the nurse – sister trying to wash her hands — obvious

both sisters at some point jump in water. alluding to baptism?? the lover saved the younger sister.

the washing of the feet in france just before the lover dies….he hallucinated his mom, but i think it was really a prostitute who either washed his feet or he just thought she did. either way, this alludes to jesus when the prostitute washes his feet. and my boyfriend said that in the bible, this happened just before jesus died. same in the movie.

and of course, that the boy lover took the blame and was essentially killed for something he didnt do. just like jesus. then, he and the elder sister lived on happily ever after in the metaphysical world created for them by the younger sister in her book. who knows, maybe even they met in the spirit world. the younger sister did sort of orchestrate all of the major events in the story….sort of acting as a sort of god-figure although she was certainly human and went from immaturity through redemption to some sort of grace. but it was by creating something – the book- not by being saved by someone or something else.

 thats all i can think of. it was a really good movie and beautiful to look at.