Snake Dreams – 21 Possible Meanings
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Have you ever had those dreams about snakes that feel exceedingly real, where you see the snake gliding across the floor towards you and you feel as though you’re paralyzed? Thankfully, you wake up and realize that it was just a dream. But what does it mean for you?
Dreaming about snakes can hold various implications for you and others, most of which can be negative. For instance, a snake dream can mean frustrations, troubles, avoiding something, or holding yourself back. It can also be an ominous symbolism for evil and even death.
However, dreaming of a snake doesn’t mean that the end is near or that death is looming. In fact, it can have a positive meaning, depending on the type of snake you see and the context of the dream. Here’s a look at some of the most common snake dreams and their interpretations.
Snake Dreams Meaning and Symbolism
As mentioned earlier, dreams about snakes can have positive or negative interpretations. They can also symbolize various concepts including the following:
Regeneration and Wisdom
As ominous and threatening as snakes might be, they serve as prominent symbols of regeneration, rebirth, or renewal due to their ability to shed their skin.
Throughout history, snakes have been regarded in many cultures, such as North American, African, and Asian societies, as symbols of wisdom because of the manner in which they attack their prey. In fact, they’re considered as one of the wisest creatures.
In the Bible (Matthew 10:16), the line, Be ye therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves, touches on this ancient view of serpents as wise creatures.
Toxic Persons in Your Life
Dreaming about a snake can indicate a specific stressor or a toxic person in your waking life. This person may be exhibiting harmful behavior towards you or terrorizing you. If this is the case, your dream could be a sign that it may be time to consider your choice of friends and decide who is right for you and who isn’t.
It’s wise to associate those who truly and genuinely wish the best for you and will be there for you in times of trouble rather than those who would fill your life with negativity and drag you down with them.
Illnesses or Diseases
If the serpent in your dream is not dangerous and has no intention of harming you, the dream could signify a potential illness that may be dangerous but not fatal. This may be frightening, but it’s important to understand that it indicates a health issue that can be remedied.
However, if you continue to see these dreams and if they continue to become darker, it could mean that illness has or will be increasing in severity over time.
Interpretations Based on the Snake’s Color
The meaning of your snake dream can change depending on the color of the you see.
White Snakes
These snakes bear you a good message. If you see a white snake in your dream, it can be a sign that your mind is clear and that you’re already on or going to take right the path. You can most likely see your goal and are focused on what you need to do to achieve it. A white snake on water represents regeneration, purification of the soul, good health, and pure intentions.
Black Snakes
Black snakes often have negative symbolism which refers to suspicion, mistrust, and even evil. Seeing a black snake in your dream is typically considered a bad omen. It can be a warning—a symbol of a threat or a challenge.
A dream about one or more black snakes can signify that your relationships with your loved ones and partners may be fraught with strife. This could be a good time to avoid arguments with the people you love in your life. It could also be a sign that you should back out of any suspicious contacts or deals you may be involved in.
Red Snake
A red snake in your dream could symbolize a red flag and indicate that there may be hidden danger or risks in your waking life. Your dream may be hinting to you that it’s time to identify the red flags in your life and avoid associating with anyone who might be a danger to you.
However, red snakes could also mean that with the risk comes success, prosperity, and wealth. In the past, red snakes were commonly associated with happiness.
Green Snake
Dreaming of a green snake suggests that someone is envious of you or that you yourself are feeling jealousy towards someone. Either way, it might be a good idea to start looking into how others see you and how you see yourself.
Jealousy can lead to toxic behavior, eventually harming relationships, so if you’re harboring such feelings towards someone else, now would be a good time to try letting go of those feelings.
Light-colored or Yellow Snake
Yellow snakes have both positive and negative meanings in dream analysis. They symbolize fear, so a yellow snake in your dream could represent your fear of the unknown and it could also represent deceit and cowardice.
If you fear for yourself or someone else in your waking life, your dream may be a sign that you should face your fears. You may be holding yourself back, afraid to try something new or take a step forward. If you take this positively, you can challenge yourself to face your fear, which could result in a positive outcome.
Yellow snakes are also associated with hope. If you have failed at something important to you, dreaming about a yellow snake could mean that all is not lost and there’s still hope. It could mean that you should not give up on what you were trying to do since it can still be done.
Dead Snake
To dream of a dead snake could mean that have you have successfully overcome a hurdle in your waking life that’s worth celebrating. You are free from certain complications and toxic thoughts that have affected you for so long.
Dead snakes can also symbolize the potential to fight and overcome any difficult situation in your waking life. If you killed the snake, it could mean that someone is betraying you or that you will soon experience a spiritual awakening.
Interpretations Based on the Species of Snake
The meaning of your dream could depend on the species of snake. For instance, dreaming of a venomous snake may represent negative behavior or toxic people in your waking life. A poisonous snake is usually a yellow alert, telling you that something is wrong in your life and needs to be corrected.
On the other hand, seeing a harmless snake could have a positive meaning like something you thought was dangerous turns out to be harmless.
Boa Constrictor
If you see a boa constrictor in your dream, it could mean that there are people in your waking life who make you feel as though you’re being controlled and have no freedom.
Boas are known to squeeze their prey to death and there may be someone who makes you feel this way, someone who squeezes the emotional, mental, or even financial well-being out of you, leaving you spent, choked, and constricted.
Rattlesnake
A dream about a rattlesnake could be a warning about impending danger in your waking life. It may be a sign that it’s time to start paying careful attention to toxic people who could harm you and to start noticing the warning signs before it’s too late.
Garter Snake
Garter snakes are harmless and seeing one in your dream could signify that danger has passed and it’s time to relax. A garter snake may symbolize that someone or something who was a threat to you previously is actually harmless.
Other Interpretations of Snake Dreams
The meaning of your snake dream can also depend on various other factors such as the number of snakes, their location, and what the snake was doing.
Multiple Snakes
Seeing many snakes in a dream may be a sign of many toxic people in your waking life. It may also represent that you’re in a dangerous, complicated situation that you find difficult to come out of.
Another interpretation could also be one or more health issues experienced by you or your loved ones. It may also mean a single health issue with many complications.
If you find yourself surrounded by snakes in the dream, this could be a sign that it’s time to let go of the past and think about starting anew. Killing all the snakes around you signifies that even though problems and enemies surround you, you will break through this difficult stage and conquer them successfully.
Snakes in Your Home
Since snake dreams usually point towards the toxic people in your waking life, seeing a snake appear in your house could mean that there’s someone toxic or potentially toxic living under your roof.
On the other hand, it can also mean that you bring home the toxic attitudes, ideas, and feelings that other people give you throughout the day. Take it as a reminder to leave any negativity and toxicity outside your home.
Snakes Outside Your Home
No, this is not the opposite of seeing snakes inside your home. Instead, these dreams are often a sign that you should be open to the toxic people in your life.
It may be time to speak up instead of letting others walk over you. Assert yourself, speak confidently, and let them know that they’re bringing negative energy into your life which you want to eliminate.
If they don’t listen to you, it may be time to cut those ties for good.
Snake Bites
If you dream of a snake biting you, it may represent health issues or emotional issues that need healing. It can also mean feeling trapped or paralyzed in your waking life. While these interpretations seem ominous, a snake biting you in your dream can also have a positive meaning as it may symbolize the dramatic but good transformations that you’re about to experience.
However, if you see someone else being bitten by a snake, it could mean that this person may be experiencing a health issue or emotional issue. Sometimes, such dreams could mean that you, like the snake, may have done something to harm someone intentionally or unintentionally.
If you feel that this is true to you, it might be a good time to start making amends and helping the person recover.
Snake Strangling You
Dreaming of being strangled by a snake is frightening and can leave you feeling traumatized. However, it may mean that you have or are about to become emotional and say something to someone that you would instantly regret. This dream can be a warning to be careful and think twice before you speak.
Snake Crawling on You
These dreams can be very unsettling and uncomfortable, even after you’ve woken up. However, as unpleasant as it is, a dream about a snake crawling on you could be giving you a sign that an area of your body may need physical healing. Snakes are a symbol of healing and regeneration.
Snake Chasing You
Ever dreamed of running from snakes, your subconscious filled with terror and dread from the experience? These kinds of dreams can represent threats or your internal fears about something negative like a death or illness.
It can also symbolize hidden fear or anxiety, perhaps about success, recognition, family, or child you are about to have.
Snake on Your Bed
Seeing a snake on your bed in a dream isn’t a sign of danger. Instead, snakes in dreams are typically regarded as phallic symbols so your dream most likely has a sexual connotation. Seeing a snake on your bed can signify your sexual desires and intimacy, or male sexual energy.
This dream could also mean that you’ve been working too hard and too long, without giving your body adequate rest. The snake may signify the work that has been keeping you away from your bed and rest.
Snakes Amid the Pandemic
If you see one or more snakes in a dream associated with the Covid-19 pandemic, it could be a sign of stress and anxiety.
The snakes may symbolize the virus that causes this stress and health issues among millions of people.
Since the start of the pandemic, an increasing number of people claim to have seen such dreams, so if you’ve also experienced this, you may want to reach out and express your feelings to someone who will help you get the support you need.
Wrapping Up
There are numerous interpretations of snake dreams of which we’ve only mentioned a few in this article.
While it’s tempting to interpret your dreams by only matching interpretations and descriptions, it’s important to remember that the interpretation depends on the context of your dream. There may be many details that seem insignificant, but could actually be important in understanding the dream clearly.
Once you’ve gained a clear understanding of what your dream means, you might want to take action accordingly. It may be time to start making some changes in your life.
View also the other interesting dreams about fish, eagles, frogs, and bugs and their interpretations.
