This kind of symbolic meaning may arise from recalling the snake that spoke in the Garden of Eden lied to Eve. This is especially true if you dream of being in a pit of vipers or if you are surrounded by many snakes that you can’t escape from. Sometimes snakes dreams can be profoundly unsettling, and leave you with a sense of being deceived. These snake dreams, though they may seem initially scary, can provide an important opportunity to leave behind something that hurt and restricted you, moving forward into a new way of being. When combined with the healing elements that snakes can indicate, this may imply a significant transformation through healing, almost like an initiation. Such transformative power is especially strong if in your dream you look the snake in the eye, connect with it in some way, or it bites you and you recover or don’t die. This dream may suggest you look at what old patterns of behaviour or beliefs you are outgrowing, and what new thought processes or new stage in life you are preparing to step into. The meaning of snakes in a dream can indicate a period of significant personal transformation. This has historically been associated with the ability to regenerate, change and grow. Snakes and TransformationĪnother significant attribute of snakes is that they shed their skin. These medical associations mean that snakes can be a symbol of healing in dreams, either physically or emotionally.
Modern medicine still uses the symbol of two snakes entwined around a staff as its symbol (caduceus). The Ancient Greek Hippocrates (he of the medical profession’s “Hippocratic Oath” and a powerful ancient healer) had the snake as his symbol.
The dreams people had in these temples amongst the snakes would then be interpreted by the holy people there, who would reveal the necessary cure the dream was showing. In ancient times, harmless snakes would be left in temples where people seeking cures to an illness would go to dream. Even such energy may relate to a sensuous nature, a vital life force, and other potent concepts beyond simple sexuality alone.
And while the meaning of snakes in a dream might indicate a sexual energy, especially if they slide into bed with you or the dream is in some other way erotically charged, snakes are more likely to appear in dreams for several other profound reasons. Snakes and Sexįreud would have us believe that snakes are a symbol of sex, and little more. When snakes are used to indicate a symbolic meaning, rather than simply being referenced as a biological animal, they are often referred to as “serpents.” Snakes often instil fear and even disgust in many people, but they are creature of nature that deserve our respect – and of course caution! While snakes can be deadly, they are also potent symbols associated with wisdom, healing and power. But snakes are found the world over, in many cultures and religions, and in myths and legends, which imbues them with quite a special significance symbolically. Like any animal dream, the meaning of snakes in a dream can have a wide variety of interpretations.