Animals are usually used to symbolize nature, or a person's nature to be more precise. When we dream of a certain animal our dream is trying to make us more aware of the type of person that we are dealing with. Often the symbols are self explanatory, animals provide a great source of inside information about someone, they help us understand how wild and unpredictable someone is, or how soft natured and tame a personality can be. Using the actual person in the dream scenario doesn't help you to understand the smaller details about them that are important, the only problem is you do have to work out who the animal is symbolic for. Most people will be able to work this out using their own instinct, and it is instinct that is important when working out animal dreams. You are being reminded to use own animal instinct about people. You are being shown that not all is as it seems.
Another reason for using animals as symbols in our dreams is because they can help us develop our own character and the snake could therefore be symbolic the forbidden aspects of your own character that you need to either tame or suppress. Only time will tell which type of translation is appropriate, but most people are already aware of the personality that is being put under the spotlight by an animal dream scenario.
Animals can symbolize a positive energy in your life and they can also translate feelings of vulnerability and the need to care for somebody. Animals are viewed as protective, loving and helpful and they can also be used as a representation for your inner fears. Animals also provide an ideal symbol to explain the conditions or environment in which you live. If you are overcrowded within your living conditions for example or penned-in and lacking in freedom.
If you are afraid of the animal in your dream then this tells you that you should be wary of a personality that has the capabilities of causing you anguish, but the fear could also be symbolic for your own fears so it is important to recognise the person or situation that is being explored.
Being trapped by a wild animal is a common dream theme which is helping you to acknowledge the fact that you feel trapped by circumstance or that you are frightened to move forward, perhaps you are mentally trapped in the past. Being trapped in a negative relationship is symbolised using types of animals that can hurt you or keep you cornered, further important symbolism can be gained by noticing how the animal is acting towards you in your dream.
Birds
Birds symbolise freedom for the soul with the ability to fly above your problems in a natural way. Birds can bring us news of new beginnings or of changes to come because they are able to gain a wider view of what is going on, they transcend the earthly realms and provide a bird’s eye view of the bigger picture. It has been said that birds can bring us a message from loved ones in the spirit world that a soul has been released into the kingdom of God.
Birds of Prey
These types of birds could be used to symbolize someone who is preying on you or a situation that is preying on your mind. What the bird is doing in your dream can help with your translation and the exact type of bird of prey will help you determine its meaning. Eagles are viewed as spiritual birds who carry prayers to God, whereas a Buzzard is recognised as a hunter who picks at the remains of something that has died.
Caged Birds
Caged birds symbolize the fight for freedom from restraint, maybe your own personality is being suppressed or held back.
· Your Spiritual side needs to be released.
Water Birds
Water birds will symbolize personalities that cope well with emotional ups and downs and deal with their emotions and feelings in a positive way. Water birds are often used to symbolize the family or brood and the emotional ties we have with them. Water birds take emotions in their stride, they keep a family emotionally balanced and afloat.
Wild Birds
Wild birds can be used to symbolize total freedom coupled with a need to understand that you belong to the whole as well. This will link with the cosmic consciousness where you are free to think for yourself or to tap into the shared consciousness if need be.
· Spread your wings and learn to rise above the commotion that is life.
Flocks of Birds
Flocks of birds symbolize the family unit working together and reaching heights because of each other.
· Like attracts like, birds of a feather flock together.
Chicken
A chicken can symbolize someone not having the courage to take matters into their own hands or to deal with problems if and when they arise.
- Cowardliness or a careless attitude
- Taking chances!
Cuckoo
Cuckoos lay their eggs in another bird’s nest, leaving the chick to be hatched and looked after by a different species of bird. This might correspond with a situation of responsibility being passed on to someone else for them to deal with.
· Someone who is crazy?
Crow
· Unwanted mothering.
· An interfering or calculating woman.
Ducks
Ducks cope well with water (emotional states of being) and they teach you to stay afloat emotionally but in order for you to learn this technique you have to understand the need to let the minor aggravations pass you by. Ducks can also symbolize the family unit sticking together throughout emotional ups and downs.
· Water off a ducks back?
Eagle
Eagles are often used as a symbol to remind you to keep an eye out for opportunities or for obstacles that could get in the way of those opportunities. They also explain how you need to rise above the mayhem to see a situation for what it really is, thus enabling you to see how to instigate positive change.
Eagles are an important Native American symbols, the Bawd Eagle and the Golden Eagle are thought of as sacred and this can give a spiritual translation to the eagle symbol. They are viewed as a messenger from the creator and as a carrier of prayers upwards too the creator, they signify courage and strength and the ability to fly over your problems and negotiate any obstacles.
Geese
These water birds might symbolize your children and the emotion attachments that you have to them. Children grow up and leave home but they always return when they want or need something.
Hawk
As with an Eagle the translation is similar, keep an eye out for opportunities and do not let them pass you by.
A quick thinker.
Watching you like a Hawk?
Magpie
There is a rhyme that portrays the symbolic meanings of Magpies and I would consider if any were appropriate to you, but a Magpie could also represent a person that takes what isn’t theirs because they are often thought of as thieves, but in contrast to this magpies are usually seen in pairs because they choose a partner for life.
Owl
Owls are often used to portray wisdom through contemplation.
Peacock
A Peacock could symbolize a show off, or someone trying to get your attention.
Be proud of yourself because you have come a long way.
Sparrows
A Sparrow often symbolizes innocence and raw beauty.
Swan
Swans represent grace and devotion and they are also used as a symbol to explain how you have progressed on a spiritual path. Swans help to convey the transition from innocence too experience and explain transformation in its many forms.
Robin
A Robin is a bringer of love because of the red breast that he has. (The colour red is often used to symbolize love.) If the Robin is singing then a declaration of love is being made. Robins have also been used to symbolize the pain that you must first experience to truly understand love.
Bees
Bees remind us about the importance of working together for the overall betterment of society or for the family unit as a whole.
To be stung by a Bee isn’t necessarily an omen of doom but backs up the idea that for you to reap the rewards that are available to you, there is a certain amount of pain or hard work to be experienced first. When bees sting it is done to protect themselves from harm and for no other reason. You might have to protect yourself from outside influences so that you can concentrate your efforts towards progression in some work area.
There is work to do and money to gather, reap the rewards of your hard work after a certain amount of time.
Information will have a sting in its tail.
Beetle
Beetles symbolize protection from evil or negative influences, your own method of protection is being highlighted, you must decide what needs protecting and from who.
Butterfly
A butterfly can represent the fleeting beauty that we sometimes take for granted, they remind us to appreciate the good things when they come our way.
The fight of the butterfly as it emerges from its cocoon is what enables it to take flight.
Freedom, peace and a message from the spirit world that the soul is released.
Fly
These insects symbolize passing aggravations if they are noticed singly in your dream, but if there are a lot of flies then they are there to help you understand that there is decay in some area of your life, this needs to be dealt with in order to for you to find peace and harmony again.
· The breaking down of negativity.
Spiders
People don't usually like spiders in life let alone having them turn up in their dreams but the outcome has always been good when people have dreamt about them. Spiders symbolize good luck and prosperity because they are actually creators and have the substance within them to produce something that we want, the web helps us to catch the things that we require.
In some circumstances a spider dream can be viewed as a fear dream and require you to face your fears so that you can move forward and receive the energy they bring. They chase you to move you forward and help you to take action where it is needed.
Wasps
Wasps could symbolize somebody with a sting in their tail.
Passing aggravations that won’t stay around for too long.
Baby Animals
Young or baby animals usually refer to young personalities or to an immature character.
Domestic Animals
Your own pets are often used to symbolize the fact that you are relied upon for everything and in return you receive unconditional love. Domestic animals bring us love and adoration; perhaps you need a selfless companion to bring you comfort and support and are being shown a symbol for an appropriate person who can do this. Tame animals represent people who are laid back, but if in the dream their nature changes it helps to remind you that even docile personalities can turn nasty.
Pets who have passed away often return to their owner in their dreams to say thank you for the love and care that you gave them.
Wild Animals
Wild animals help you to understand the wild side of your own or of other people’s nature or temperament. The side of a personality that acts of its own accord without consideration for everyone else. Wild animals can also help you to understand your own fears in the face of hostility or opposition and to help you prepare a way forward when you are faced with these things in your life.
Animals display characteristics that help you to understand the type of person you have to deal with; they also help you to develop aspects of your own personality.
Alligators
These reptiles can represent someone’s snappy and unpredictable nature, you should be wary of the dangerous temperament of emotional people that are around you.
Reptiles are often used to represent the reptilian part of the brain which is connected strongly with power and an abuse of power.
Ape
An Ape could symbolize copied behaviour, or a mischievous character getting up to no good.
Antelope
These animals symbolize majestic grace or someone with these characteristics. The antlers are held high and are used to win battles from opposition.
Ass
Donkeys are symbolic for personalities that carry a lot of baggage around with them but they are also hard workers.
Cow
Cows can sometimes symbolize a spiteful woman but they can also represent the source of your own contentment and how likely it is that you will get what you need, especially so if it is a milking cow.
Bull
Opposition comes from a Bull, it symbolizes a personality that requires stamina from the dreamer.
· A stubborn character.
· A Taurus (Horoscope)
· Bull in a china shop.
· A bully.
Bear
· The mother type.
· Destructive and loving.
· A bear with a sore head.
· Over protectiveness.
· Something you have to bare.
Cat
In dream language the cat is often used to represent the feminine charm, they are viewed as independent and industrious. Wild cats symbolize the wild unpredictable side of a woman’s nature.
· The cat that got the cream.
Crab
Crabs remind you not to walk sideways in life and the shell symbolizes your own hard shell, you will not listen to advice and feel the need to protect yourself from other people. Consider if this applies to someone else that you know.
· A Cancerian person. (Horoscope)
Dog
Crabs remind you not to walk sideways in life and the shell symbolizes your own hard shell, you will not listen to advice and feel the need to protect yourself from other people. Consider if this applies to someone else that you know.
· A Cancerian person. (Horoscope)
Dolphin
Dolphins are spiritual creatures that highlight a carefree nature, they express freedom for the soul. They spend their lives in small protective groups, therefore they help you to understand the importance of belonging to the whole but of developing your own individuality as well. Dolphins communicate using vibration and this will link with spiritual communication.
· Protection comes from the group soul.
· Emotional courage and grace.
· Spiritual communication.
· Intelligent learning.
Elephant
In dream language the elephant represents protection and wisdom, they are ‘all knowing’ and they never forget. They could be used to represent a situation that seems bigger than the dreamer.
· A situation that needs talking about and recognising for what it is.
Fox
A fox can be used in dream language to represent cunning and slyness; unless she is with cubs then she is being the independent and self-reliant protective mother.
Goat
· A Capricorn person. (Horoscope)
· An ambitious climber.
· A stubborn person.
(Stubborn old goat)
Horse
In the past a horse was used as a symbol for the personal or spiritual journey, it helps you to make progress in your life; nowadays it is more symbolic for someone who helps you to get along, usually a male influence. There are some sexual connotations because this symbol can also hint at the sexual experience with a partner who is able to help you move on from the past. Consider the colour of the horse to help with your translation.
· Being able to move forward together.
· Sagittarius.
(Horoscope)
· Held in high esteem.
Kangaroo
Kangaroo’s portray the protective mother type of personality. The kangaroos pouch is a way to represent someone who needs looking after or who still needs protecting from the outside world. Perhaps someone is overprotective.
A jumping Kangaroo can help you to acknowledge someone who can makes progress in leaps and strides or someone who jumps around aimlessly and cannot find direction.
Lion
Strength and courage can be symbolized by a lion but it depends if you feel threatened or hunted by it in your dream. If you are cornered or trapped then you feel trapped by an external source of power that you do not know if you can match in strength.
To overcome a Lion in your dream is to overcome a powerful opponent or perhaps your own fears need to be dealt with.
· A female personality.
· A Leo.
(Horoscope)
Mice
Mice could be used in dreams to help explain situations that go on quietly under the surface. You may only get small clues to warn you that something is happening but eventually you will have to deal with it. Mice will often represent small annoyances that if left alone will multiply.
Monkey
Monkeys can help to characterize people who have not developed their own personality enough and so act in a thoughtless way.
· Monkeying around.
· Childishness and trickery.
Pig
Pigs are often used in dreams to bring your attention to a person who is pig headed and inconsiderate. Because pigs like to wallow in mud they are also used to portray somebody who likes to wallow in self-pity.
Rabbit
Rabbits usually represent fertility and growth within the family unit. They can also be used in dream language to represent anything that can multiply rapidly, perhaps this will help you to understand that things can quickly get out of control if left alone for too long.
Ram
A Ram can symbolize someone who rams themselves ‘in’ where they are not actually needed.
· An Aries.
(Horoscope)
Rat
Rats would be a typical dream symbol to represent someone who acts with little moral judgement. If there are a lot of rats in your dream then they symbolize a group or association of people who do not have your best interest at heart.
Reptiles
Reptiles will symbolize the thick skin or cold bloodedness of a personality that you encounter. They might also symbolize people who have not developed spiritually and are old fashioned in their way of thinking.
Serpent
The idea of a serpent being the deliverer of tests for the human soul, in order to bring enlightenment. Tests of endurance and of mind over matter, the idea that without these tests the soul would not be open to learn and grow. The challenges we face in our life are what help us to become more spiritually aware and enlightened in knowledge.
Shark
· Loan sharks or predators.
· Nasty people who should be avoided.
Slugs
Slugs can represent an irritant, perhaps something that is eating away at the progress you have made so far. The size and amount may be important to your translation.
· Slow movement or slow progress.
· A slimy character.
Snails
· A protective but fragile shell.
· Something is moving at a snail’s pace.
· Moving home.
Snake
Beware of people who have sneaky poisonous tendencies, similarly a situation that requires your endurance. Snakes are often used to represent opposition, a lack of control and the need to develop your ability of noticing when temptation is taking over. This may be appropriate for you or for someone around you.
Squirrel
· Storing away what you need for later.
· Hiding away your talents.
· Perseverance and tenacity.
Tiger
These wild animals can represent anything that evokes fear within you. Tigers are dangerous and appropriate symbolism might come from working out what it is you are actually frightened of, you have to face this fear.
Another possible translation is that there is an untamed personality on the loose, they are changeable and have the ability to cause you hurt. Tigers can also symbolize your own unpredictable nature or perhaps a situation that tests your perseverance and ability to withstand opposition.
Tortoise
· Hibernation from society.
· Progress is slow moving.
· Inertia.
Turtle
· Driven by emotions.
· Snappy.
Whale
The type of whale you dream of might have significance, for example the sperm whale could symbolize increased fertility, a killer whale would represent a larger than life personality with the ability to cause harm in your emotional affairs.
A pilot whale is a symbol of you taking a new and meaningful direction in your life. The blue whale is a symbol of emotional healing, its vast size can symbolize the power that is available to heal emotional pain, whereas a black and white whale can be used to represent the positive and negative aspects of your own emotional personality and how this creates a balanced character, even if you do not feel particularly balanced at the moment.
Overall a whale would be used as a symbol to represent your own profound emotional feelings which occasionally rise to the surface. The whale symbol may of course be used to represent someone else and their own inner feelings, someone who you find it difficult to understand completely.
· The whale is often viewed as a solitary mammal and can symbolise such a person.
Zebra
A zebra's black and white stripes represent the negative and positive nature of someone that you encounter. The symbolism is very similar to a horse but you cannot ride a zebra so although this person is adventurous, the relationship cannot progress because of their wild nature, they are not suited to staying in one place for very long.
A zebra's black and white stripes represent the negative and positive nature of someone that you encounter. The symbolism is very similar to a horse but you cannot ride a zebra so although this person is adventurous, the relationship cannot progress because of their wild nature, they are not suited to staying in one place for very long.