Interpreting Common Symbols in Spiritual Dreams

By Bryan Carraway
Guest Writer

CBN.com – I strongly discourage the use of standard dream dictionaries to arrive at the meaning of symbols found in dreams we receive from the Lord. Common objects, colors, animals, locations, or anything else for that matter can mean different things to people based on their associations and impressions of those things which are unique to each individual. Instead, I advise that each individual concentrate on developing their own individual "dream vocabulary" by discerning the meaning of reoccurring symbols in dreams.

I have discovered a relatively small number of symbols which are common within the Body of Christ. In more than ten years of dream interpretation I have found these symbols in dreams by a wide spectrum of people, and 80 percent of these symbols mean the same thing. Many of the symobls below have scriptural support as well which only strengthens the argument that there are a few universal symbols. I want to caution once again that at any time these symbols could mean different things to different people but these exceptions seem to be rare--at least in my experience. May these items below form the first additions of your own dream vocabulary. Other future symbols have to be discerned by you, but hopefully with some help from the Lord and others in the Body of Christ!

Common Dream Symbols and Their Meaning:

House - represents the person; their life; one's spiritual state. (Matt. 7:24-27, II Tim.
2:20-21)

House, discovering a new room within - if associated with positive feelings: new area of
life or ministry God will open or desires to open if you'll cooperate. If
associated with negative feelings: a dark part of one's life the Lord wants to expose
and/or heal.

House with a hole in the roof; house with torn or dilapidated shingles - indicates a lack of spiritual covering; having an area of life in which God's protection has been
withdrawn due to sin or an upcoming wrong choice.

Nakedness - represents intimacy with God. Standing naked before God represents
surrender to God; a vision of Jesus naked or disrobing is indicative of God seeking
greater intimacy with you; beckoning you. (Gen. 3:8-11)

Snakes, serpents - represents the Enemy; demons; a bad omen; danger. (Gen. 3:1, Num.
21:4-9)

Vehicles - represents the current path or direction of one's life due to decisions made; can
also represent the person's life as in the common house symbol (e.g. having difficulty
operating the clutch and controls, barely moving: indicative of a state in which one
feels out of control and not in charge of their life and current direction. Riding in a
white car with a gentle, enjoyable ride: indicative of a season of life in which God is
blessing).

Vehicles, multi-passenger (buses, trains, etc.) - same as "vehicles" above but involving a group of people such as one's family, church, denomination, etc; (e.g. a bus wreck
with injuries: warning that a specific decision or the current course will lead to bad
results for the party involved).

Water, rushing or fast flowing - if associated with a positive feeling: indicates the
blessing of God; the presence of the Holy Spirit. (Ezek 47:1-9)

Related articles:

Guidelines for Successfully Interpreting Spiritual Dreams

A Theological Look at Spiritual Dreams

More Discipleship Resources on the Spiritual Life Channel

CBN Teaching Sheets

Bryan Carraway holds a master's degree in Practical Theology from Regent University. Over the last ten years he has served churches in Texas, Oklahoma, and Virginia. He ministers in churches today via his teaching/preaching ministry with his message of sanctification and the fuller life in Christ.