Snakes appear in myths and legends from ancient times, as well as in modern films and stories. They are rich with symbolism, as well as provoking strong emotions.
So what does it mean if you’ve had a dream about them? That’s what we’re here to find out!
We’re going to explore 16 meanings when you dream about snakes. And we’ll help you investigate what your own snake-y dream might be telling you.
So if you’re ready, let’s get started!
Table of Contents
- The Snake as a Symbol
- what does it mean to dream about snakes
- 1. Being Attacked by a Snake
- 2. Being Bitten by a Snake
- 3. Snakes in Water
- 4. Snakes Everywhere
- 5. Being Chased by a Snake
- 6. Being Ignored by a Snake
- 7. A Black Snake
- 8. A White Snake
- 9. A Red Snake
- 10. A Green Snake
- 11. A Yellow Snake
- 12. A Snake with Other People
- 13. A Poisonous Snake
- 14. Being Strangled by a Snake
- 15. A Dead Snake
- 16. A Snake On Your Body
- Time to interpret your dream
The Snake as a Symbol
From the serpent in the garden of Eden to the asp that bit Cleopatra, human history and mythology is chock full of snakes. And as symbols, they carry a wide variety of meanings.
To the psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud, the snake was an obvious phallic symbol. Others saw the snake as an emblem of the unconscious mind.
Snakes have often been associated with healing. To this day a snake features wound around the Bowl of Hygieia in the symbol used by pharmacists. The Caduceus and the Rod of Asclepius, two symbols for medicine, also feature rods or staffs wound with serpents.
Related to this, snakes are also seen as symbols of the process of healing. In dreams, this often relates to psychological healing, or finding resolution.
In common with other wild creatures, snakes can be associated with the untamed part of the self. They can represent instinct and spirituality. And as reptiles that can shed their skins, they often appear in dreams that relate to periods of change.
what does it mean to dream about snakes
1. Being Attacked by a Snake
Many people find snakes pretty scary – so being attacked by one in a dream can be alarming. You may find you wake abruptly, frightened out of your dream state.
Waking suddenly, of course, gives you a better chance of remembering your dream in detail. So while you might not enjoy the experience, you’ll be in a great place to work out what it means.
There can be a number of different ways to interpret this dream. Analysing the emotions you feel as you dream can be an important way to identify the correct interpretation.
Being attacked by a snake in your dream may reflect feelings of anxiety associated with a situation you find threatening.
And it may be a sign that you’re not acknowledging these feelings in your waking life. Your brain could be trying to bring those emotions to the surface so that you’re able to deal with them.
The message under this interpretation is simple: the best way to overcome your fear is to confront it.
An alternative interpretation of this scenario is that it represents resistance to taking risks. Your dream may be pointing to a situation in which you’re wary of doing the wrong thing. You may be avoiding taking necessary action because you fear “getting bitten”.
A third option is that the snake in your dream may represent an untamed aspect of yourself. The attack reflects this part of your personality emerging, perhaps against your wishes.
A feeling of anxiety accompanying your dream may be the result of your attempts to keep this part of yourself hidden. And it could be encouragement to relax and be your true, authentic self.
2. Being Bitten by a Snake
If your dream involves being bitten by a snake it may be a metaphorical warning. It could be a sign that you need to be more alert to an evolving threat. The snake may represent something your subconscious mind has identified as being poisonous.
It might also symbolize temptation, as in the famous Biblical story. Your dream may be reflecting your attempt to resist that temptation.
And as a snake bite can paralyse its victim, your dream may suggest that you’re paralysed by indecision. You need to take action in order to move forwards. And when you do so, you may find you undergo a major transformation.
3. Snakes in Water
Water is often thought to represent the psychic world. A snake swimming in water may signify emotions and ideas that you’re barely aware of. Like other snake dreams, this can be a sign that you’re resisting acknowledging your feelings.
4. Snakes Everywhere
If you’ve dreamed of snakes everywhere, it’s possible you watched Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom that evening. But if you didn’t, your dream may be your mind’s way of sending you a message.
That message may be positive or negative. Snakes slithering all over the place could be a sign that you’re feeling vital and energetic. This energy could be sexual or creative.
But a snake-filled dream could also mean that you’re feeling overwhelmed. That could relate to your physical environment. Are you feeling as if your personal space is constrained, or that your privacy is being compromised?
Or it might be that it’s your peace of mind that’s being beset by concerns on every side. Your dream may be telling you it’s time to create the space to regain your equilibrium.
Look carefully at the other elements of your dream to help you choose the right interpretation. If the snakes are filling your home, it could be that the dream reflects anxieties about your personal space. If they’re in a bedroom, they may be signifying an abundance of sexual energy.
5. Being Chased by a Snake
Dreams of being chased often relate to some sense of danger. But perhaps surprisingly, that danger is often internal. Your dream is suggesting that you’re anxious about something.
Consider what the cause might be – and remember, it could even be something that you welcome. Perhaps you’re nervous about the change that comes with success in your career. Or maybe you’re facing a major life change, such as the birth of a child.
Working through your feelings will help you overcome that anxiety. And that is exactly what your dream is encouraging you to do.
6. Being Ignored by a Snake
If the snake in your dream is ignoring you, some people believe it means you’re concerned about loss. The loss is often of material possessions, something which is valuable to you. Perhaps you have financial worries and are concerned about losing your home or car.
The good news is that the same interpretations suggest the loss you fear won’t materialise.
7. A Black Snake
Snakes come in many different colors. And if the snake in your dream is a particular, memorable color, that could be important.
In western societies, black is often associated with death and grieving. It may be that the black in your dream represents your emotional state, while the snake represents change.
The two symbols make natural bedfellows. Change is often accompanied by feelings of sadness and loss at what is being left behind. That can be the case even where the change is a positive one.
8. A White Snake
White is often symbolic of purity and fresh starts. A white snake in your dream may have different meanings, depending on where it appears.
If the snake is on the ground or on some other firm surface, it suggests you are clear minded. You can see your situation for what it is. That means you have a solid foundation to act.
If the snake is in water, the purity relates to your soul or spirit. It may signify that your intentions are pure, or your mental health is strong.
9. A Red Snake
Red is a sign of danger throughout the animal kingdom. If a red snake appears in your dream, the message may be one of a lurking threat. The other aspects of your dream will give you clues to where the threat is coming from.
Another possibility is that the red represents passion or love. The red snake may represent romantic attachments. But it can also signify something in your life that you’re passionate about – perhaps your work or a hobby.
10. A Green Snake
In the language of colors, green symbolizes jealousy. We even use it as a figure of speech when we talk about being “green with envy”. And we sometimes refer to jealousy as the “green-eyed monster”.
So a green snake may be associated with feelings of jealousy. And because the snake often represents unacknowledged feelings, you may have been trying to deny or ignore them. Your brain is reacting to this repression by bringing these feelings to the surface in your dream.
But green has more positive associations too. It’s the color of fresh new growth, of nature and renewal. Your dream snake may indicate you’re getting in touch with your own true nature. Or it may be presaging new beginnings and positive change.
Some people believe that the shade of green provides a clue to the correct interpretation. Darker greens, they say, are more likely to be associated with jealousy. Fresher, lighter greens are more closely associated with nature and renewal.
11. A Yellow Snake
Yellow is often associated with cowardice. So dreaming of a yellow snake may indicate that fear is getting in the way of pursuing your goals. Confronting those fears may feel intimidating, but will help you achieve your dreams.
But like green, yellow has positive as well as negative connotations. Bright yellow is associated with sunshine, joy and optimism. And gold and yellow are also believed to represent the intellect or intuition.
A dream of a snake may therefore be a message to use your intellect to tackle a problem. Or it may reflect the dreamer’s happiness or optimism.
12. A Snake with Other People
If your dream involves other people with the snake, it could have two meanings.
It could be that the snake in your dream represents you. Are you harboring negative feelings towards the people in your dream? Your subconscious mind could be creating this rather unflattering portrayal to prompt you to reconsider your approach.
Another interpretation is that the snake represents some external threat. Perhaps the people in your dream need your help to escape a challenging situation.
13. A Poisonous Snake
If your dream featured a poisonous snake, the meaning is connected to its most obvious feature. The snake represents something toxic in your life. That could be practical difficulties you’re encountering. Or it could relate to emotional problems or unhealthy ways of thinking.
Your dream could be alerting you to danger, prompting you to change your course.
14. Being Strangled by a Snake
The long, muscular body of a snake means it’s well equipped for strangulation. And if this gruesome act has occurred in your dream, it could have a very specific meaning.
The tightening of the snake around your throat is thought to be a direct warning. The snake here is not trying to kill you – merely trying to prevent you from speaking. And it’s in your own best interests!
This dream is warning you against speaking before you think. The snake is trying to stop you getting yourself into trouble with careless words.
15. A Dead Snake
If you’ve dreamed of a dead snake, it could be a positive sign. The snake may be representing an obstacle that you have already or will soon overcome.
Perhaps you’ve been struggling with a difficult situation for some time. Your dream reflects your subconscious mind’s celebration that those troubles are at an end.
16. A Snake On Your Body
For centuries, snakes have been associated with healing. So if you dream of a snake on your body, it may be drawing attention to an injury or other health problem.
The location of the snake is important here. A snake wound around your leg, for example, means that’s the part of your body to get checked out.
Time to interpret your dream
Dreams about snakes can have many and varied meanings. Even the same scenarios can carry different interpretations, depending on the precise detail.
Work through each element of your dream carefully to divine its meaning. And remember to consider the emotions you feel too. These can give you valuable clues to the way your brain is using the symbolism of the snake.
Last of all, test out the way you feel about the interpretation. When you’ve hit on the right one, everything in your dream will click together and make sense. And you’ll know you’ve unlocked the message your subconscious mind has been trying to send you.
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FAQs
What does it mean when you dream about a lot of snakes? ›
If snakes appear in your dreams, it can signify that you are moving forward, are healing and have entered a phase of personal transformation. Most likely, you have moved beyond a hindrance on your path that existed till recently.
What do snakes represent spiritually? ›Snake symbolism and meanings include healing, wisdom, primal energy, protection, the Earth, stealth, charm, rebirth, and eternity.
What does 2 snakes in a dream mean? ›Dreaming of Two Snakes
Dreams involving two snakes or more are a symbol of abundance or duality. Whether it's positive or negative depends on how you feel in the dream. For instance, if you felt frightened seeing many snakes in the dream, it could mean that something is overwhelming you in your real life.
What do most snake dreams mean? In a situation where the snake is chasing you or biting you in your dream, this is a warning to be aware of your surroundings, Bowman says. Specifically, you might have some betrayal or infidelity on your hands.
What number is snake in dream? ›A dog is 12, a cat is 26, a snake is 14. Whatever you dream about, the local collector can tell you its number and you can place your bet in the country's most popular illegal lottery, a game called jueteng.
What does it mean when you dream about a snake trying to bite you? ›Dreaming of a snake biting you is a warning signal from your unconscious mind (creator of your dreams) for urgent action to be taken regarding a key situation you are avoiding, neglecting or disregarding.
What did God say about snakes? ›The LORD said to Moses, "Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live." So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, he lived. The Israelites moved on and camped at Oboth.
What does a snake mean to God? ›It can represent death, destruction, evil, a penetrating legless essence, and/or poison. In the Christian tradition, Satan (in the guise of the serpent) instigated the fall by tricking Eve into breaking God's command. Thus the serpent can represent temptation, the devil, and deceit.
Why is snake a symbol of God? ›The familiar mythology of the ancient Near East manifests the primeval struggle between the powers of good and evil, both of which are often represented by snakes. As a bringer of salvation and giver of everlasting life the snake became a divine reptile.
What does black snake in dream mean? ›Generally, when you dream about black snakes, it means that there will be specific changes or transformations in your life. Some also say that seeing a black snake symbolizes anxiety, fear, depression, sadness, etc.
Is it good luck to see a snake? ›
- Seeing a snake is considered good luck. - Seeing a partridge is considered bad luck.
What does it mean when a snake wraps around you? ›When a snake wraps around a person's body, it's mimicking the way it would coil around prey. By coiling tightly around its human companion, the snake is trying to make itself feel small and safe. Ultimately, this behavior is a sign that the snake needs some extra attention and care.
What to do if a snake is chasing you? ›One of the most effective ways to survive an encounter with a snake is to not engage. If you come across a snake in your path, walk away. If you can't turn and go the other direction, make sure to give the snake a wide berth as you circle around it. Remember that most snakes have no desire to be around people.
What does it mean when you dream about being chased by a python? ›If you dream that a snake is chasing you, it is a sign that there are unresolved concerns with responsibilities that you are attempting to avoid, whether they pertain to your professional or personal life.
What does it mean when you dream about a cobra snake chasing you? ›Cobra Chasing You in a Dream
Dreaming about a cobra chasing you means that your love life is making you feel trapped. Your partner isn't giving you what you want, or maybe you even have a hidden desire to break off the relationship with them.
Things that will bring Snakes luck:
Lucky numbers: 2, 8, 9, and numbers containing them (like 28 and 89) Lucky days: the 1st and 23rd of Chinese lunar months. Lucky colors: black, red, and yellow.
The color Green Snake corresponds to the hex code #6CBB3C.
What does a yellow snake mean spiritually? ›Spiritual Significance Of a Yellow Snake
The Aztecs see yellow snakes as a symbol of strength and power, which is a prominent element of their art and architecture. The Chinese, on the other hand, believe that yellow snakes are extremely powerful guardians with the spiritual power to repel evil and dark spirits.
If you dream of being bitten by a snake and feeling no pain,
This could be seen as a sign of spiritual protection and guidance, suggesting that no matter what difficulties we face, we will come out unscathed. It can also be an indication of our inner strength to overcome any and all obstacles.
Conclusion. Dreaming of a big snake python can be a powerful and symbolic experience. It may represent transformation, fear, sexual energy, or the desire for power and control. Understanding the meaning behind your dream can offer insights into your subconscious mind and inner thoughts.
What is the meaning of snake bitten? ›
: having or experiencing failure or bad luck : unlucky.
What is the evil snake in the Bible? ›Serpent (Greek: ὄφις; Trans: Ophis, /ˈo. fis/; "snake", "serpent") occurs in the Book of Revelation as the "ancient serpent" or "old serpent" used to describe "the dragon", Satan the Adversary, who is the devil. This serpent is depicted as a red seven-headed dragon having ten horns, each housed with a diadem.
What did God turn into a snake? ›God asks what Moses has in his hand, and Moses answers "a staff" ("a rod" in the KJV version). The staff is miraculously transformed into a snake and then back into a staff. The staff is thereafter referred to as the "rod of God" or "staff of God" (depending on the translation).
What does the Bible say about killing a snake? ›“They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them.”
Is snake a symbol of good or evil? ›In “The Perception That the Serpent is a Positive Symbol in Greek and Roman Literature,” Charlesworth demonstrates that the serpent could denote evil in the Greco-Roman world, but most typically, it symbolized good, especially in the Asclepian cult.
Are snakes a symbol of power? ›At the same time, however, it also stands for power, cunning, insidiousness, cunning, darkness, evil, depravity and the tempter. The snake is the personified power of fate: wanton and incomprehensible.
What is the snake God's name? ›In addition to his guise as a plumed serpent, Quetzalcóatl was often represented as a man with a beard, and, as Ehécatl, the wind god, he was shown with a mask with two protruding tubes (through which the wind blew) and a conical hat typical of the Huastec people of east-central Mexico.
What is the divine snake? ›The Nagas (Sanskrit: नाग, romanized: Nāga) are a divine, or semi-divine, race of half-human, half-serpent beings that reside in the netherworld (Patala), and can occasionally take human or part-human form, or are so depicted in art. A female naga is called a Nagi, or a Nagini.
What does a dark snake symbolize? ›Black snakes are omens of good fortune. Like most good fortune, they are inconspicuous and rare. So, when a specimen presents itself, it behooves one to take notice.
Are black snakes good or bad? ›Black rat snakes are extremely beneficial since they eat large amounts of rats, mice, and other pest animals. Farmers appreciate having snakes around for this reason.
What is the meaning of seeing snake in dream in Hinduism? ›
In Hindu mythology, seeing a snake in one's dreams brings forth troubles and worries, but catching one, would be perceived as victory over enemies. Being bitten by a snake is lucky, but killing a snake is unlucky.
What is the good symbol of snake? ›Snakes have been used for worship, magic potions and, medicine, and they have been the symbol of love, health, disease, medicine, pharmacy, immortality, death and even wisdom.
How does a snake see a person? ›Snakes can 'see' in the dark thanks to protein channels that are activated by heat from the bodies of their prey. Vipers, pythons and boas have holes on their faces called pit organs, which contain a membrane that can detect infrared radiation from warm bodies up to one metre away.
How do you know if a snake is around you? ›If you find a dry, scaly sheet of the skin or a crumpled heap somewhere close to an entrance into the walls of your home or small space areas. If you are inspecting a dusty area or crawl space, you might notice slither tracks that indicate where a snake has traveled. Snakes have a distinctive smell that is noticeable.
What does snake mean when talking about someone? ›Snake is a widely used term for an untrustworthy person, especially deceitful men in romantic contexts.
How do snakes show they love you? ›One common way snakes show affection is by rubbing their head against the object they're trying to be affectionate towards. This display is known as head-bobbing. They may also do similar things like necking or wrapping themselves around the object in an affectionate way.
Will a snake chase a person? ›To understand this perceived behavior of a snake chasing someone, one must first realize that a snake has nothing to gain by chasing a person. A snake obviously could not eat a person and so is not looking for food. They are not vengeful and do not chase people out of sheer hate.
Does clapping scare away snakes? ›Myth #2: Clapping your hands and yelling can scare a snake off. False. While snakes do have an inner ear structure, they do not have eardrums, meaning they don't “hear” in the conventional sense. Snakes instead sense vibrations in the ground.
Will a snake charge you? ›Most snakes are perfectly harmless, but whether they are or not, they have no interest in you. If they dart out at you, they are not trying to startle you; they're only trying to get to safety as quickly as possible. The fact that you might be in their path is coincidental.
What is the meaning of dreams being chased and killed? ›Fear for one's life, fear of disappointing people, or the end of a relationship are some of the most important meanings of the dream of being chased and killed. This dream can also mean that you are haunted by some trauma or anxiety.
What does it mean when you dream about a black cobra snake bite? ›
Dreaming of a black snake indicates emotional tension. If you are bitten in your dream, then it means that fear has overtaken your life. This could be in regards to ongoing relationships.
What is the superstition about snakes? ›There are also many snake superstitions. One old Australian legend states that the Hoop Snake will bite its own tail, form a hoop, and roll downhill. Another old wives' tale notes that if you leave a bowl of milk out, it will draw snakes to your place. (It may attract flies, but snakes aren't going to be interested.)
What kind of snake wraps around you? ›Many snakes kill their prey with venom, but boas and pythons kill by squeezing, or constricting, their prey. These snakes are known as constrictors. Constrictors wrap themselves around their victims and use their massively powerful muscles to suffocate them.
What color is lucky for snakes? ›Things that will bring Snakes luck:
Lucky colors: black, red, and yellow. Lucky flowers: orchid and cactus. Lucky directions: east, west, and southwest. Lucky months: the 1st, 8th, and 11th lunar months.