Snakes Dream Meaning and Symbolism
Dreaming about snakes can be scary. It is not uncommon to be afraid of snakes! This is why when we dream of snakes, it is very important to look at the context of the snake in the dream and how it relates to our waking life.
Your own personal experiences and beliefs about snakes will greatly depend on what dreaming about a snake means.
To Interpret a Dream About Snakes, Ask Yourself These Questions
The best way to understand what your dream about snakes means is to ask yourself some questions about your own personal associations with snakes.
How did the snake make you feel? Were you scared and anxious about the snake or were you feeling relaxed? The way the snake made you feel signifies your own feelings about a situation in your life.
What type of snake was it? There are many different types of snakes – dreaming of a boa constrictor for example would have a different meaning than dreaming about a rattlesnake or garter snake.
Researching the snake and its common characteristics can help provide further insight to the dream.
For example, if it’s a boa constrictor – something may be “choking you” – whereas, with a rattlesnake, something may be “rattling” you.
And if it’s a garter snake? Well, chances are whatever it is that may be bothering you is probably a lot less threatening than it appears.
What Color Were the Snakes? The colors of a snake can have great meaning also. A green snake might have a different meaning than a red snake. Learn more about color meanings here.
Once you answer these questions, it will help make it easier for you to decide what the snake means in your dream.
Symbolism of Snakes
Understanding the symbolism of snakes can help you interpret your dream. Often times we will experience these different themes that are currently happening in our lives, whether it is through our relationships, our career, or current life circumstances.
Hidden Fears:
Since snakes are one of the most feared animals in society, dreaming of a snake can often symbolize other things you are afraid of. Think carefully about the context of the snake in the dream and what fears you may have that are holding you back.
Snakes as a Symbol of Betrayal:
Snakes have long been a symbol of betrayal, going all the way back to the first stories of mankind and in the garden of Eden. Is there someone in your life who you feel like you cannot trust or has wronged you recently?
Reminder to Be Flexible:
These creatures are quite flexible, and can go almost anywhere! Without legs or any rigid structure, they are able to easily adapt for a number of different types of situations. Seeing a snake in a dream may be reminding you to remain calm and stay flexible in whatever situation you are currently dealing with.
A Symbol For Feeling Intimidated
Many people are afraid of most reptiles, because it can seem they are very powerful or sneaky. Dreaming of a snake can sometimes mean you feel overpowered, intimidated or manipulated.
Snakes as a Symbol For Temptations
Snakes can also sometimes be a symbol of temptation. Think back to the story in the garden of Eden where Adam and Eve are tempted by the snake to eat the forbidden apples in the garden. Your dream about a snake could mean that you are feeling tempted to do something you know you should not do.
Wisdom:
In some cultures, snakes are revered and can be seen as a great source of wisdom. This symbolism of wisdom may date back to the story of Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. Snakes are also sometimes thought to be very clever creatures who can quickly adapt to their surroundings.
Common Examples of Snake Dreams And What They Mean
Sometimes, it is helpful to look at some common snake dreams to better understand the context of the symbolism that appears.
Dreaming of Baby Snakes:
Baby snakes can be a symbol for feeling lost or confused in life. You may feel like your current situation is overwhelming, or you may be looking for some sort of external guidance in making your next steps in life.
Being Bitten by a Snake:
Dreaming of being bitten by a snake can mean you need to be more aware of what is happening to you or that you need a “wake up call” in your life and serves as a warning that you need to pay attention to what threatens you in waking life. Dreaming of a snake bite could also mean you are undergoing a painful transformation in your life.
Fighting a Snake:
Dreaming of fighting a snake could mean your resistance to change or your need to overcome fears.
Killing a Snake:
To dream of killing a snake in your dreams, can symbolize overcoming your fears. It can also mean overcoming betrayal or temptation in your daily waking life.
Dreaming of Having a Pet Snake:
If you have had pet snakes in the past, or currently have a pet snake, then the dream could represent your need for companionship. If you have never had a pet snake (and would probably never have one) – it could mean you have a hard time trusting new friends.
Snake Charming
To dream of charming a snake, or having control of a snake, can signify that you have control over your fears. You may also be wondering if you should “use your charm” in order to get your way in a situation. To dream of someone else snake charming, it could mean that person is a great source of wisdom or mystery in your life.
Two-Headed Snake Dream:
Dreaming of a two-headed snake can mean you that are have conflicting views about something in your life, or you feel pulled in two different directions. Snakes with more than two snakes could signify the number of fears you have that are holding you back in life.
Venomous Snakes and Poisonous Snakes:
To dream of a venomous/poisonous snake in your dream means that something is threatening you or you are feeling threatened in your life.
Multiple Snakes: Seeing multiple snakes can mean that you are feeling overwhelmed by a situation or that you are afraid you cannot handle the stress from current events in your life. There may be several sources of stress or people that are currently influencing your mood in waking life.
Snakes as a Spirit Animal
Yes, even though many people are afraid of snakes, snakes can be messengers of spirit in our dream! There is a lot of wisdom we can learn from snakes.
As a spirit animal or dream messenger, snakes are here to remind us to confront our fears. It does not serve us well in life to be afraid of making changes or to avoid confrontation when necessary.
Snakes are also able to adapt and move as necessary – they can often fit through tight spaces and into places we as humans could never imagine fitting into. The message from the snake is this: Be flexible!
This flexibility can be very helpful no matter what you are going through in your current daily waking life, whether it is a message for dealing with career changes or difficult coworkers or learning new ways to communicate in your relationships.
Do you have any questions about dreaming about snakes? Any additional snake dream interpretation meanings we may have missed? Share your thoughts and questions in the comments section below!
