The Meaning of Snakes in Dreams
The snake dream symbol is a difficult symbol to
interpret because there are so many
different interpretations amongst various cultures. These
Interpretations vary from fear and terror, to wisdom and
peace. Many people have an inborn psychological fear of snakes. This fear can be disruptive and pathological, even to the point that a photo of a snake represents an oppressive threat.
For some people, snake dreams are almost universally bad. |
If the dream includes someone who controls or tames the snake, then this person could represent an aspect of yourself or a person in your life who is a strong source of wisdom and strength to you. If it is refering to an aspect of yourself then your snake dream is telling you that you have within yourself all the srength and power to overcome all your fears and control the situation.
See Also: Animals, Insects, Alligator |
 |
Snake Dreams - Symbols - Snakes are symbolic of many different things. Snake dreams can symbolize fear, temptation, wisdom, healing or transformation. |
|
|
The snake as a symbol of tempation
In Judeo-Christian cultures, the snake is a symbol of temptation or spiritual opposition against reaching one's goals.
This concept is derived from Bible when Satan tempts Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden in the form of a snake. Sometimes, a snake dreamt in this context will remind you of a particular person in your waking life with whom you have a competitive relationship. |
Snake dream symbology and wisdom
Snake
Dreams - Among Asian and Native American cultures, the Egyptians, Sumerians and most ancient cultures, the snake is a symbol of wisdom in the form of earthly knowledge (medicine, mathematics, literature, science and so on) (the owl is a symbol of wisdom derived through years of experience). If one dreams of snakes from this perspective, it is a dream of renewal, problem-solving, and good tidings in general. Seek the answers to your problem, they are there, either within you or is easy reach. |
| |
 |
Snake
Dreams The Caduseus from the Roman god of medicine Aeseulapius and also a universal snake symbol for medicine. |
|
|
Snakes as a symbol for medicine
Snake
dreams - Carl Jung talks about the connection between earth and heaven in his discussion on the snake symbol for medicine. In Man and His Symbols, he writes, "perhaps the commonest dream symbol of transcendence is the snake, as represented by the therapeutic symbol of the Roman god of medicine Aeseulapius, which has survived to modern times as a sign of the medical profession.
This was originally a nonpoisonous tree snake; as we see it, coiled around the staff of the healing god, it seems to embody a kind of mediation between earth and heaven."
In writing about Snake Dream Symbolism , Gillian Holloway, Ph.D. wrote, "People who are dying or who have lost a loved one often dream of snakes, at or near the time of death. For whatever reason, these dreams seem involved with the psychic awareness of the transition from this life to the next...."
"I keep having dreams about snakes. Recently I had a dream where the snakes were at my school and a boy I knew who recently died was in it. The boy looked dead. What do the snakes mean? and why do I keep having these dreams?" |
The dead boy inside
the snake sounds like a dream of transformation. The snake in
the dream being a symbol of transformation. We are all mortal
and sooner or latter we will all take that path of
transformation and shed our earthly skin so to speak. Or t
could be telling you that you are now transforming in your
life - from the child with immature thinking to the adult with
mature views and responsibilities.
The event on having
someone around you died may be the catalyst for this
transformation. Snakes are often seen as symbols of life,
death and rebirth. In North American native tribes, the
shedding of the snake's skin is associated with life and a new
beginning.
Recurring dreams indicate a fear or an unresolved issue. One way to deal with the recurring dream of the snakes is to try lucid dreaming. This is when
you become conscious in your dream and are aware that you are
dreaming. If you are able to do this, then ask the snakes what
it is they want and why you keep dreaming about them? If the
snakes are hostile and you are afraid in the dream then face
the snakes and master the situation in some way.
Seeing the
dream through to the end is important in overcoming it.
See Also: Animals, Insects, Alligator
 |
Britany Spears - One of her live performances with a snake wrapped around her. Many guy would consider her a dream with a snake in this picture. |
|
|
Interpreting your Snake Dreams
You will have to look at your dream in its entire
context and determine how you felt about the snakes in the
dream. You should also look at the other associations in the
dream. You said they were in the backyard. Why were they in
the backyard? What sort of association do you have with the
backyard that might account for the snakes being there? I had
a dream about two black snakes chasing me and one of them bit
me then I woke up all sweaty. Could you tell me the
significance of the snakes?
It would depend on the association you had with the
dream. Did you struggle with the snake or did it wither and
die after it bit you? Gillian Holloway, Ph.D. identifies being
bitten by a snake as meaning different things. She says, "In
many dreams a single snake will come to bite you, and you may
in fact be bitten after a brief struggle. To your amazement
though, you will not die, and may find that the situation is
not as bad as you thought."
According to Holloway you have
this kind of dream if you are struggling with some problem,
relationship or challenge. "Such a snake-ordeal is an
important signal that you are going through a kind of
initiation; a psychological and spiritual trial that has the
potential to change your life for the better if you deal with
it bravely and with a clear heart. You may have to give up
something you thought you couldn't, or take a stand for your
principles or faith." |
Ask yourself these questions to get an insight into the dream mechanics -
-
What emotions are prevalent regarding the snake:
fear, respect, or opposition?
-
What is
your attitude about snakes in waking life: neutral, fearful,
or friendly?
-
Were you
alone or with others when the snake entered the dream scene?
-
If you are
with others, what are your feelings towards
them?
Snake Dreams -
Answering these questions should hopefullylead towards a productive
interpretation. |