Rupa delves into the world of dreams and tells us what do snake dreams signify, in the backdrop of its interpretations in various religions and cultures. An exclusive for Different Truths.
I have often dreamt of snakes in pits, on trees or slithering to flit past. I recently dreamed after a long gap about a couple of black thin smallish snakes slithering fast paced across shallow narrow pit. Then a big white clear faced scaly snake was coiled on my left arm elbow to the fingers with mouth open. This is what I gathered from my forays into self-education on snakes in dreams.
Among many eastern, Asian and Native American cultures, the snake is a wisdom symbol. The idea of wisdom comes from the snake’s ability to shed its skin and renew itself.
Among many eastern, Asian and Native American cultures, the snake is a wisdom symbol. The idea of wisdom comes from the snake’s ability to shed its skin and renew itself. If one dreams of snakes from this perspective, it is a dream of renewal, problem-solving, and good tidings in general.
Snakes were worshipped in every corner of the ancient world as creatures that symbolised fertility, birth, death and resurrection. One common image is of a snake wrapped around the earth. From the Nordic Jörmungandr to the Hindu Ananta, this image portrays the snake as responsible for holding the world together. Similarly, The Cosmic Serpent winds itself around an egg, clearly a symbol of fertility and rebirth, as well as creation of the Universe.
Similarly, The Cosmic Serpent winds itself around an egg, clearly a symbol of fertility and rebirth, as well as creation of the Universe.
At first you need to know these:
They may be trying to warn you: Snakes can also be stumbled upon by surprise, which can associate them with secrets. The phrase “snake in the grass” refers to this sense of someone who cannot be trusted, who may deceive or keep a secret from you. Interestingly, this need not be another person, there could be a truth that you know but are deceiving yourself about.
Snake refers to a callous person: As a metaphor, the snake in your dream can be symbolic of a person around you who is callous, evil and ruthless. Your dream is telling you not to trust her or him.
Essentially snakes in dreams can be potent symbols that we often fear because of the change they bring and the energy they contain.
Do have hidden passions? Essentially snakes in dreams can be potent symbols that we often fear because of the change they bring and the energy they contain. A snake rising up, coming awake after hibernation or uncoiling and springing to life can indicate your own energy flowing freely again, your passion and motivation.
Symbolising spiritual growth: Some eastern cultures, Hinduism, refer to snakes in dreams as the awakening “Kundalini”, an energy that coils up from the base of the spine to the crown of our head and then beyond, a process of spiritual growth. The snake in your dream is far more likely to transform you than it is to destroy you. It is up to you how you choose to either fight, run from, or embrace the transition.
Snakes are complicated symbols because they can have both positive and negative meanings. It is related to one’s own personal experiences with snakes and how the snake is viewed in your culture.
Your personal equation with snakes: One of the most common animals found in dreams is the snake. Snakes are complicated symbols because they can have both positive and negative meanings. It is related to one’s own personal experiences with snakes and how the snake is viewed in your culture.
Baby snake: A baby snake in your dream means that you are underestimating the threat. If you kill the snake or if the snake is dead, then it means that this threat has passed or that you have overcome it.
Now, to get start interpreting what dreaming about snakes means, here are the most common meanings associated with snakes in dreams:
- A snake is a symbol of the unconscious.
- Snakes or serpents indicate you’re in the process of healing and resolving issues.
- The snake is a symbol for an untamed part of yourself or an untapped resource.
Snakes could represent your intuition or spiritual aspects of yourself; your instinctual drive, what moves you from the depths of your soul.
- Snakes could represent your intuition or spiritual aspects of yourself; your instinctual drive, what moves you from the depths of your soul.
- Snakes or serpents tend to show up in dreams in times of transition and transformation.
- From the classic Freudian perspective, a snake or serpent is a phallic symbol.
The Interpretation of Snake Dream:
- If you feel fear when you see the snake in your dream, it indicates that you are having difficulties facing the unknown or uncertainty in your life.
When the presence of the snake in your dream is neutral or friendly, it suggests that you are dealing with fears or concerns with assurance.
- When the presence of the snake in your dream is neutral or friendly, it suggests that you are dealing with fears or concerns with assurance. It is an indicator that healing is taking place.
- If you’re dreaming of a wild snake, it may denote negative aspects associated with the animal, such as worries, fears or concerns about something going out of control.
- If you’re dreaming of a pet snake, it could relate to an opportunity for healing or positive changes in your life.
- When you are fighting with a snake, it means that you are resisting a change or struggling with a decision or feelings in your waking life. It may represent a power struggle in your intimate relationship or at work.
- Being chased by a snake means that you are facing an intimidating situation in your life that is haunting you. Emotions that you have not dealt with are coming back at you.
A dream of being attacked by a snake, it could be calling you to explore a challenging situation in your life and how to deal with it.
A dream of being attacked by a snake, it could be calling you to explore a challenging situation in your life and how to deal with it.
- If you are dreaming of being bitten by snake, it means that you need to pay attention to something that you’ve been avoiding because it was too intimating or uncomfortable.
- If the snake spits its venom at you, it suggests that there’s a negative influence in your life that’s difficult to handle. It may represent a “poisonous” relationship or negative words or rumors around you.
- Talking to a snake suggests that you are engaged in a process of understanding higher knowledge about self and your world. It indicates that you are open to receiving information of mystical nature.
If you have a dialog or if the snake talks in your dream, it signifies that your potentials are being realised
- If you have a dialog or if the snake talks in your dream, it signifies that your potentials are being realised and you’re opening up to new possibilities in life.
Snake Symbols in Popular Myths and Traditions
The symbolism in a snake dream is primarily anchored in the personal life of the dreamer. Because the snake is a powerful symbol in many traditions and cultures, a snake dream can also be influenced by a wider meaning given to the snake or serpent in one’s culture.
Because the snake is a powerful symbol in many traditions and cultures, a snake dream can also be influenced by a wider meaning given to the snake or serpent in one’s culture.
- In the Hindu tradition, Lord Shiva wears a snake around his neck, as a representation of the control of dark forces and temptation. It also symbolises the power of kundalini, the life force.
- In ancient Greek mythology, Medusa is a Gorgon, represented as a woman with snake hair who can turn into stone whoever she looks at. According to the psycho-analytic perspective, it is a symbol for castration or repressed sexual energy.
- Another popular Greek myth is about Aesclepius, Greek god of healing and medicine, who inspired rituals where snakes were used. Today, the rod of Asclepius is what we know as the Caduceus, symbol for modern medicine. In our dreams, it represents the opportunity for healing.
The feathered serpent from the Aztecs of South America is a symbol for the creator of life.
- The feathered serpent from the Aztecs of South America is a symbol for the creator of life.
- The serpent has an important role in the Hebrew Bible, shared by both Christians and Jews. In the Judeo-Christian tradition, the snake tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden. It is tinted with negative connotations and a symbol for temptation, evil and sin.
- In the Garden of Eden, a serpent tricked Adam and Eve into eating fruit from the Tree of Knowledge, making them mortal. In some interpretations, the serpent in the garden represents sexual desire and the fall of man from purity while in others, a snake can be seen as a carrier of wisdom. In the Christian New Testament, snakes sometimes represent the Devil.
A dream about a snake, then, can mean many things according to the Christian and Jewish traditions. Most likely, the snake represents deception, either your own or someone else’s.
- A dream about a snake, then, can mean many things according to the Christian and Jewish traditions. Most likely, the snake represents deception, either your own or someone else’s. Dreams about snakes can also be about sexual desire, particularly a desire you may be ashamed of or feel is wrong.
- In Islam, the snake is considered a vicious creature and represents oncoming trouble or unknown danger. If in a dream you are being chased snakes, get bitten snakes, or have snakes in your house then something horrible in your life requires immediate attention. On the other hand, dreams about overpowering or owning a snake could signify personal power or your capacity to overcome difficult situations.
In the Chinese zodiac, snakes are seen as intelligent but mysterious and perhaps a bit manipulative and sneaky.
- In the Chinese zodiac, snakes are seen as intelligent but mysterious and perhaps a bit manipulative and sneaky. Snakes do not have the same evil connotations in Chinese folklore as in Islam or Christianity. In a dream, a snake transforming into dragon is a sign of personal growth, and a snake on its own can be a sign of power and strength. If the snake tries to attack you, your response determines the meaning of the dream and how capable you are in dealing with challenges.
Reference
- Dream Dictionary
- Dreaming of White Snakes – Dream Interpretation & Meaning – Snakes in Dreams
- Life and People
- What dream about snake means
- What dream about cobra means
Photos sourced by the author from the Internet
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I dreamt of a black snake last night. It was never threatening. Just laid there watching me and sometimes slithering away. Also one time saw a green/ yellow snake hidden and sruck me only once and barely nicked me. What does that mean? I have strong native American ties so I believe in these dreams. I pray every night and I believe in God.