The 100 Best Dream Symbols
If you are hungry for the prophetic, than these 100 Dream and Vision Symbols will be an amazing resource for you! Each of these have been taken from The Way of Dreams and Visions Symbol DIctionary by Apostle Colette Toach, get your own copy today by clicking the button below!
Ocean
Also referring to the sea.
Positive: The ocean is a picture of mystery and untapped blessing Negative: Lacking conviction or direction (Being tossed around)
CHARACTER SPECIFIC SYMBOL
POSITIVE
If you have good childhood memories of the ocean, then it would represent pleasure and joy for you. It would speak of just letting go and floating, letting the tides carry you.
If you dream of floating or swimming in the ocean, then the Lord is saying that you can trust in Him and enjoy His presence. You do not need to be afraid, but can just jump in!
If you dream of a large wave that you surf or that you have control of, it speaks of the blessing of the Lord that is coming your way.
NEGATIVE
If you dream of large waves engulfing you, this speaks of circumstances that are overwhelming you. It can also speak of the attack of the enemy that is coming in like a flood.
Also if you have a fear of the ocean, then dreaming of being in the ocean speaks of being surrounded by your fears or having to confront your fear.
Sometimes you might dream of a wave that washes everything away. Although it might seem negative at first, this could be of the Lord. Perhaps it is time for you to start afresh. This is a good picture of a death of a vision.
UNIVERSAL SYMBOL
POSITIVE
A large wave although it can be negative, is also a good picture of the abundance of the Lord. The Word says that if you cast your bread on the waters, that it will return to you.
This is a picture of investing financially and spiritually into the Kingdom of God. As you keep giving out, you will reap the reward!
"Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days." - Ecclesiastes 11: 1
The Red Sea situation: If you see the Red Sea in the spirit, then the Lord has led you to face an impossible direction.
You know that you cannot go back where you have come from, but it seems that the Lord is not talking either. You are unsure which way to go. We call this the “Red Sea Situation”.
What the Lord is telling you to do is to make the first move. Moses cried out to the Lord about what to do and the Lord said to him, "Why are you crying to me? Speak to the Children of Israel, that they go forward!" (Exodus 14:15)
God was waiting for Moses to do something! He had brought them so far, but now it was their turn. As they took that step though, then God moved once again and parted the waters.
If God has given you a direction and a promise and you see the Red Sea in front of you, you have a choice to make. Once you step out with that decision, God will back you up.
"He rebuked the Red Sea also, and it dried up; so He led them through the depths, as through the wilderness." - Psalms 106:9
NEGATIVE
To be tossed around in the ocean speaks of not having a firm conviction of your own. It means that you do not have a secure footing in the Word, and you are allowing the enemy to throw you around.
"But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind." - James 1:6
The book of Hebrews also tells us that we should not be tossed around by every wind of doctrine.
The meaning is the same. If you dream of being tossed around, you do not have a firm understanding of doctrine, and the Lord is telling you to get your feet grounded!
Owl
An owl in a positive context is a symbol of wisdom in most cultures. If your dream is positive, then it is likely that the owl is referring to wisdom.
Positive: Wisdom
Negative:
-
Superstition
-
The work of the enemy
CHARACTER SPECIFIC SYMBOL
POSITIVE
In many cultures the owl is a picture of wisdom. If you are familiar with this image, an owl could very well represent wisdom in your dream.
NEGATIVE
To dream of owls attacking you certainly speaks of demonic attack, but you need to determine where that attack is coming from. Does an “owl” mean something to you personally? Is it a symbol of an organization or group you are involved in?
UNIVERSAL SYMBOL
NEGATIVE
If your dream is prophetic and the owl is attacking you, it speaks of the work of the enemy.
Owls were considered unclean in the Scriptures. They are nocturnal, and inhabited the wilderness and barren lands.
They speak of desolation and barrenness. It is proof that the enemy has done his work and accomplished what he desired.
If you see an owl when praying with someone, it is an indication that the enemy has a stronghold in their lives and they are spiritually barren.
"And thorns shall come up in her palaces, nettles and brambles in the fortresses thereof: and it shall be a habitation of dragons, and a court for owls." - Isaiah 34:13 (KJV)
Pearls
Since the beginning of time, pearls have been a picture of beauty and wealth.
Pearls are a lovely picture of a hidden treasure waiting to be found, but also something that is bought at great expense.
Positive:
-
Something of great value and beauty that needs to be sought out
-
Wisdom
Negative: A show of external beauty
UNIVERSAL SYMBOL
POSITIVE
In Scripture, pearls speak of wealth and an object of trade. Unlike gold though, its value was in its beauty and not the monetary value alone.
Of course the parable of the businessman who sells all he has for the one pearl is a famous one.
"who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it." - Matthew 13:46
A pearl is something that was usually bought at a great price, and if you owned one, it was an object that was precious and of high value.
It is also a picture of the church, as Jesus had used this parable to explain how He would pay all he had, even His life, for the church, which was His precious pearl.
If you see the Lord giving you a pearl, it means that He is giving you a gift that will increase in value and is something precious.
It is something that came at a great price to purchase. It is a lovely picture of the blessing and prosperity that we can walk in, because of the price Jesus paid on the cross.
If you see the pearl still in the oyster, then it means that the Lord is giving you a blessing, but you will need to do something to get it.
NEGATIVE
Pearls before swine: The Scripture below is another famous one. To cast your pearls before swine, means taking those things that you paid such a great price for and giving them to people who do not appreciate it.
This can often happen in ministry, just as Jesus experienced it.
The calling and the mandate God gives someone comes at a great price. It costs you your life and many phases of death to the flesh. Your calling becomes a treasure in your life.
When you give out to people who do not care to receive it, but only seek to condemn, you are handing something precious over to them that they do not deserve.
Reserve your ministry for those who are open to receive, just as Jesus did.
"Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces." - Matthew 7:6
External beauty: In 1 Timothy 2:9 Paul instructs women to not over emphasize outward beauty, but inward beauty. If the pearls in your dream or vision feel very negative, the Lord is saying that you are putting on a show. You are trying to get everyone to believe you have great wisdom and worth, but you do not have it within to pour out.
Pen
To express what is in your heart and spirit through writing.
A dream or vision of a computer would have the same meaning as a pen and a book.
Positive: To declare and establish the Word of God for posterity, by writing it down
Negative: Satan’s intended plans
CHARACTER SPECIFIC AND UNIVERSAL SYMBOLS
POSITIVE
Even in our modern computer era, writing with pen and paper still holds a certain romance. To express yourself in writing is tantamount to pouring your very soul out.
This is why seeing a pen in a dream or vision is a good picture of expressing yourself in writing. It means to verbalize what is inside of you.
To put into print the treasures that God has given to you over the years and to express the hidden emotions that not everyone gets to see.
We have often seen the Lord given someone a golden pen in the spirit and it is strongly linked to the teaching ministry. It is an indication that the Lord wants them to write and document the things that He has given to them.
Seeing a pen in the spirit indicates one of two things:
1. Express Yourself!
The Lord is saying that it is time to make known the things that you keep hidden within. It is time to show the thoughts, impressions and emotions that perhaps you do not show others.
If you do have a desire to write and go into ministry, then this is vital. In real life, it is easy to hide who you really are. However, if you are to become a successful writer, it means being vulnerable and transparent.
The best writers are those that are able to convey true emotion. To make others feel what they feel. The pen is a powerful tool to unlocking all your thoughts, intents and emotions.
2. Document It!
Since the beginning of time, the Lord has been revealing His pattern and will to His champions. In the passage below David shares with Solomon the pattern for the Temple that the Lord gave to him through the process of writing.
If you see the Lord giving you or someone else a pen in the spirit, it means that the Lord wants them to document the spiritual principles and pattern that He has for His church.
"All this, said David, the Lord made me understand in writing, by His hand upon me, all the works of these plans." - 1 Chronicles 28:19
It could be that the Lord wants that person to write a book, but not in every case. Often He might want them to write songs, courses, articles, sermons or document a structure.
NEGATIVE
In this scripture it is said that the scribes made the writings of the law false! What started out as something from the Lord, was contaminated with the ideas of man.
"How can you say, We are wise, and the law of the Lord is with us? Look, the false pen of the scribe certainly works falsehood." - Jeremiah 8:8
A black pen or a pen in a negative light speaks of the plan that the enemy has and the heresy he has spread in the church.
Perfume
Our praise to the Lord, being beautified, being prepared, being honored and being cleansed.
Perfume, oil, myrrh and incense often share the same interpretations.
Positive:
-
Our praise to the Lord, being beautified
-
A season of preparation
-
To be honored
-
To go through a cleansing process
Negative:
-
To be lured into a trap
-
To lose something precious through bitterness (defiled perfume)
Perfume changes your emotions and causes you to be drawn to it. It can be a pleasant experience, or it can speak of being caught in a trap.
Referring to how perfume lifts the emotions:
"Ointment and perfume delight the heart, and the sweetness of a man's friend gives delight by hearty counsel." - Proverbs 27:9
CHARACTER SPECIFIC SYMBOL
POSITIVE
A bride was prepared with oils and perfume to prepare her for her wedding night. Esther is a good example of this.
This speaks of the bride of Christ being prepared and made ready for her Groom. It speaks of her falling in love with her Groom - which is Jesus Christ.
The Scriptures also speak of our praise being as incense before the Lord, that it is a pleasing smell before Him.
Incense was offered before the Lord twenty-four hours a day under the Old Covenant. Our incense is our praise and worship.
Speaking of the love of bride and groom:
"How fair is your love, my sister, my spouse! How much better than wine is your love, and the scent of your perfumes than all spices!" - Song of Solomon 4:10
As believers we also diffuse the perfume of Christ everywhere we go - or we should anyway!
Because of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, as we go through this world, we carry that treasure inside of us.
It is just like wearing perfume. Everyone that passes you should be effected by it. I give a good description of this in the Practical Prophetic Ministry book when teaching on the ministry of the prophet.
"Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place." - 2 Corinthians 2:14 (KJV)
NEGATIVE
The Scripture also speaks of the perfume of the harlot and adulteress.
It speaks of being captured and seduced into the things of the world, of being deceived into thinking that you are being offered something good, when in fact it is false and full of sin.
Speaking of the harlot (world) that seduces, a love that is false and empty:
"I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. 18 Come, let us take our fill of love until morning; let us delight ourselves with love.
22 Immediately he went after her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks," - Proverbs 7:17
Pet
Because pets are different for each person, the interpretation of your dream will change according to your relationship with the animal that you are dreaming about.
Positive:
-
Your responsibilities
-
Your emotions
Negative:
-
Your fears
-
Burdens you do not want to bear
They will also not have any meaning in your visions, unless the Lord is showing you the actual animal in a vision for some reason.
If you dream of a pet that you have and care for, then it can speak of your responsibilities.
However, if you do not have any children and your pets have replaced children in your life, then they could represent aspects of your ministry.
My daughter, being a real dog lover always dreams of her pets when the Lord is telling her something about her work. She might dream that she receives a new pet to care for – she knows that she is about to get a new responsibility!
Birth of puppies or kittens: You are about to be the proud parents of a bunch of new jobs. Ones that will take up your time, but will also be rewarding. This goes for the birth of any kind of pet that you are asked to care for. Because they are babies, this means that the responsibility is new and you will have to take care of it from the ground up!
NEGATIVE
If you dream about someone else's pet, or of an animal that you do not like at all, then it speaks of an irritation in your life.
It can even represent something that the enemy is doing in your life to bring you discomfort.
A sick pet means that you have not been taking care of your responsibilities! A neglected pet is clear – you have not been putting the effort into that realm as you should have.
A dying pet? Could it be that the Lord is telling you to let go of some cares that you think cannot live without you? Determine if it is good or bad that the pet is dying in your dream.
Police
A representation of the laws of the land.
Positive:
-
Victory and protection
-
God is on your side
Negative: Attack by the world’s system
CHARACTER SPECIFIC AND UNIVERSAL SYMBOLS
POSITIVE
If you are a police officer, or have a good relationship with one, then dreaming of someone in the police force would be positive. They would speak to you of order and protection. This is especially true if you see the police in a positive light.
NEGATIVE
If you have a fear of the police force or are negative towards them, then they speak of the world’s system in your dreams. If you find yourself often fighting police in your dream, it can have a dual meaning and you will need to discern which is correct in the context of your dream.
It could be that you are being attacked by the world system, and you need to rise up and do spiritual warfare. On the other hand, if you tend to be rebellious then the dream indicates that you are rebelling against your circumstances and the system. You are in a wrong spirit and you need to come in order.
"Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme," - 1 Peter 2:13
Pregnancy
The beginning of something new in your life that is not yet visible, but will be soon enough. We conceive many things in our spirits, but not everything we conceive is a blessing.
Some of them are the blessings that we have asked the Lord for. Others are things that we do not desire, but have conceived because of fear or sin.
Positive: Conception of a new vision and direction for your life Negative: The conception of a work of the enemy in your life
CHARACTER SPECIFIC SYMBOL
POSITIVE
To dream that you are pregnant means that something new is about to manifest in your life. If you are a man, you might dream that your wife is pregnant instead, and it would mean the same thing to you.
You need to discern if the child you are pregnant with is good or not.
If you dream that you miscarry or that a baby is stillborn, but do not really feel any concern in your dream, then it has a good interpretation.
It means that you conceived something that was not of God, but that He has prevented it from coming to pass.
It is a good sign that you have left the things of the past behind, or perhaps brought your flesh into line.
Pregnancy term: I have often dreamed that I was pregnant. In one dream I was three months pregnant. It was a clear dream. When I woke up, I calculated the time and realized that I had been released into ministry training about three months ago. The Lord was confirming that He had indeed started that process in me, and that I
would carry it to full term.
If you dream of giving birth early or not realizing you were pregnant, it means that the Lord has been doing something in your life behind the scenes, and it will suddenly come to pass.
NEGATIVE
Pregnant with wrong child: If you dream that you are pregnant with the baby of someone from the past that you do not like, this is negative.
It means that you have held onto something from that time of your life, and it has taken root in you.
Perhaps you were involved with a ministry in the past that you do not feel positive about any longer.
Dreaming of being pregnant surrounding those circumstances means you have conceived something spiritually during that time that you have still held onto.
Someone else’s baby: If you dream that you are pregnant with someone's baby that is very negative to you, it could mean that you have given the flesh control of your life and conceived something that is not of the Lord.
Evil child: If you dream that the baby you are pregnant with is deformed or evil, it means that you have conceived something during the last months, in your life, that is not of the Lord. Consider the decisions you have made and the people you have been involved with. Is it possible that you have allowed a belief to enter your heart that is contrary to the Word?
"Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full- grown, brings forth death." - James 1:15
Miscarriage: If you dream that you miscarry, and you feel the pain and the struggle in the dream, then this is not a good picture.
It means that the enemy is trying to steal the blessing that the Lord has given to you.
If you are in ministry training, consider the tests you have faced over the last while. It could be a warning that you are going off track and need to get back again.
UNIVERSAL SYMBOL
POSITIVE
The interpretations for visions can be tricky. Your vision can either speak of a spiritual birth that the person is going through, or it could speak of an actual pregnancy!
If you see a baby in the womb, this could speak of the Lord conceiving and birthing something new in that person.
Just as in the case where the Holy Spirit conceived Jesus in Mary's womb, this would be a picture of something good that the Lord has conceived in their spirits.
In a literal sense, it can also mean that this person you are praying with will have an actual baby! You need to use some tact when interpreting such a vision.
I remember receiving prayer once and the person praying saw me holding a baby. I was trying to take a spiritual picture from it, but I discovered shortly afterwards that I was already 5 months pregnant!
The best thing to do is to share the vision you get with the person. If they have desired a child, then perhaps the Lord is confirming to them that this is His will. Perhaps the Lord is even saying that they are pregnant right now.
While praying for a couple desiring to fall pregnant, a fellow minister clearly saw a baby in the womb. It turned out that the woman was indeed pregnant at the time. That word brought both confirmation and hope that this was of the Lord.
Spiritually speaking, when we have faith, we birth the blessings of God in our lives. This can speak of both spiritual and natural blessings.
"By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised." - Hebrews 11:11
NEGATIVE
My stepmom has been used of the Lord very often to pray for couples to fall pregnant, because of her own travail in this area.
I remember her praying for a lady once who was having medical problems with her pregnancy. The doctors said that it would be a hard birth, and her chances of having any children in the future were near impossible.
She went into prayer and saw something demonic attacking the child in the womb. She stood against this, and against all odds the woman went on to have not just one, but three children afterwards!
To have a vision of someone that is barren is an indication of a curse in that person's life.
Prison
In the symbol Bars, I cover the description of prison bars. The only time a prison would have a positive interpretation is if the enemy was in it. Otherwise, it mostly speaks of being in bondage.
Positive: To restrict the work of the enemy
Negative: To be captive to circumstances
POSITIVE
If you dream of putting someone in prison, then it could speak of getting rid of something that has been hindering you.
If you dream that you put a wild animal in prison, then it is an indication that you have gained control of the enemy in your life.
Prison is not a nice place to be. However, if Joseph had never gone there, he would never have risen up to be second in command over all of Egypt!
This is also a good picture of someone that has a business calling. It might seem to you that you are blocked on all sides, but it could well be from the Lord as part of your preparation.
Just as in the case with Joseph, the Lord could have put you in this tight situation because He knows that it is the only way to also bring about the blessing that He has in store for you.
So if you have a vision of being in a prison, but feel it is of the Lord, then He is confirming that you must learn to press through this phase.
The key is to use this time to your best advantage while you can. Do not give up hope, but continue to trust Him, as the time of rising up will come soon!
"And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners who were in the prison; whatever they did there, it was his doing." - Genesis 39:22
NEGATIVE
To dream of being in prison speaks of being restricted and bound.
You need to decide for yourself if you put yourself in this prison by your actions, or if it is the work of something else.
It could also be an indication of a conflict you are facing at the moment. If you are feeling frustrated and “locked up” in your current workplace or church, then this would be illustrating how you feel at the moment.
In a vision, to see someone or yourself in a dark prison is not positive. It means that the enemy has bound you.
Keep in mind though, that he needs license to do this. Either you have closed your heart off to the Lord, or you have allowed sin in your life.
There is a solution for sin though and you can break free! The Lord desires to set you free.
"To open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners from the prison, those who sit in darkness from the prison house." - Isaiah 42:7
Spiritual imprisonment: When ministering personally to individuals, we have come across something that we call spiritual imprisonment.
It is a situation where that person experienced hurts in their past, and as a result they hid away from the world. Closing off their hearts to everyone and the Lord, they locked themselves away.
Usually when we pray, we see the age of the person at the time they made this choice.
This condition, unfortunately, prevents the person from entering into a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus. It also inhibits personal relationships, especially in marriage.
Often in these situations we also see a demonic stronghold that the person gave license to. In many cases this relates to a hurt from childhood where they allowed themselves to become bitter.
As a result of this bitterness, they allowed the enemy to have a stronghold in their lives. Once they let the bitterness go, as ministers, we can step in and speak healing to this situation.
Purple
A symbol of status, depicting a position of wealth and royalty.
Positive: Royalty and favor
Negative: Hurts of the past
POSITIVE
In Scripture, purple always has a positive connotation. It speaks of royalty, wealth and prosperity. In the Old Testament, only the wealthy could afford purple clothing. So it was worn by kings and those of good repute. If you sold or imported purple cloth, then you were considered a wealthy merchant. Purple was also used in the tabernacle, representing the deity of the Lord.
Speaking of Royalty:
"So Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, with a great crown of gold and a garment of fine linen and purple; and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad:" - Esther 8:15
NEGATIVE
Purple, as in the case of blue, can speak of bruising and hurts. See Blue or Bruise for a full explanation.