Background

What are snake dreams about?

Snakes are animals that have strong emotional connotations. We tend to think of snakes as cunning and sneaky. The DreamWell Dream Dictionary is based upon insights from 1,200 dream symbols in over 200,000 dreams. Let’s see what the data has to say about snake dreams.

The word cloud above shows the words that are specifically associated with snake dreams. These are the words that make snake dreams unique compared to all other dream symbols. Just examining the graph and reading the words of snake dreams can be illuminating about show snakes affect our dreams. Be sure to check out the example snake dreams at the bottom of the page.

The circular bar chart above shows how snakes in a dream will affect dream content as compared to other dream symbols. Higher bars indicate that snake is more related to the specific symbol in the graph. Lower bars indicate that snake is less related to the specific symbol in the graph. Specifically, snake dreams have more animals than 99.5% of dream symbols, more insects than 91.5% of dream symbols, and more eating and drinking than 73.4% of dream symbols. On the other hand, snake dreams have less strangers than 98.2% of dream symbols, less human-made places than 98.0% of dream symbols, and less schools than 97.1% of dream symbols. Notably, dreams of snakes tend not to mention places or locations. The dream may or may not take place in varying locations. But dreams of snakes simply do not mention the location, places, or settings occuring within the dream. This may be for any number of reasons. Perhaps the actions of the dreams are intense. Perhaps the characters take the focus in the dreams. Also, dreams of snakes are very social! Snake dreams contain more characters tan 90% of all other dream symbols. Dreams, in general, are very social. There are people or characters in almost every dream, so it is notable that snake dreams have are so social. Furthermore, dreams of snakes has less movement than 90% of all dream symbols. Movement in dreams is interesting. It reflects action. Things change when things move. There might be reasons why dreams of snakes have little movement. Finally, snake dreams have very little thinking and reflection. There are many reasons why people think and reflect. Things might be confusing. They might be interesting. There might be risk. Likewise, there are many reasons why people might not think and reflect within a dream. The dream can be absorbing. It can be scary. It can be wonderful. Every dream is unique. These are general patterns observed in an analysis of over 200,000 dreams. This analysis is a tool to help you make sense of your dreams. It is best to look at the differences. See how your dream of snakes is different than dreams of snakes in general.

1.6%

of dreams have snakes

How common are snake dreams?

1.6% of dreams have the snakes symbol within the dream. That's about 1 out of every 65 dreams. Considering all the dream symbols, it is relatively uncommon.

Identification

How are snake dreams identified?

This symbol is identified by words like viper, snakelike, anaconda, etc. This symbol is part of summary dream symbols characters and animals.

Most related

What is most related to dreams of snakes?

Snakes dreams are notable because they have substantially more pythons, venom, reptiles, Gimli, biting, eels, lizards, Ecuador, Indiana Jones, devouring, crocodiles than 95% of other dream symbols.

Least related

What symbols least related to dreams of snakes?

Snakes dreams are notable because they have substantially less pheasants, Hannibal Lecter, Wonder Woman, Deadpool, Captain America, Aquaman, Yoda, R2-D2, Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo than 95% of other dream symbols.

Deep dive into snake dreams

Get an overview of characters, emotions, places, events, dream events, and senses in snake dreams.

Who is in dreams of snakes?

Who is in dreams of snakes?

Dreams of snakes are much more related to animals and much more related to insects than dreams in general. They are much less related to unnamed people, less related to fantastic beings, and much less related to strangers.

much more than usual
much more than usual
much less than usual
less than usual
much less than usual
less than usual
less than usual
less than usual
What are the emotions in dreams of snakes?

What are the emotions in dreams of snakes?

Snake dreams are much less related to happiness, much less related to sadness, and less related to grief and sorrow.

much less than usual
much less than usual
less than usual
much less than usual
much less than usual
the same as usual
the same as usual
less than usual
much less than usual
less than usual
Where do dreams of snakes take place?

Where do dreams of snakes take place?

Dreams of snakes are less related to home, much less related to work, and much less related to human-made places.

less than usual
much less than usual
much less than usual
much less than usual
less than usual
much less than usual
much less than usual
What happens in dreams of snakes?

What happens in dreams of snakes?

Dreams of snakes are more related to eating and drinking than dreams in general. They are much less related to friendly acts, less related to sex, and less related to disasters.

the same as usual
much less than usual
less than usual
less than usual
more than usual
less than usual
much less than usual
How do dreams of snakes related to the type of dream it is?

How do dreams of snakes related to the type of dream it is?

Snake dreams are much less related to lucid dreams, less related to nightmares, and less related to recurring dreams.

much less than usual
less than usual
less than usual
less than usual
less than usual
less than usual
less than usual
less than usual
less than usual
How do dreams of snakes related the senses?

How do dreams of snakes related the senses?

Snake dreams are much less related to hearing, less related to smelling, and less related to taste.

much less than usual
less than usual
less than usual
much less than usual
less than usual

How can you make sense of snakes in dreams?

Snake dreams are relatively uncommon. Among other things snake dreams are lack places or locations, very social, lacking movement, and without lots of thinking. Do you think this is true for your dream of snakes? How might your dream of snakes be different?

All dreams have meaning

All dreams have meaning

You can gain insight from thinking about any dream, no matter how strange. Only you, as the dreamer, have final say on what your dream may or may not mean. Each dream is unique.

Look for the differences

Look for the differences

The DreamWell dictionary provides information on how each dream symbol appears in dreams in general. Finding how experience snakes in dreams can be a key to understanding its meaning.

Return to the feelings

Return to the feelings

Our emotions in dreams can help us understand its meaning. Pay attention to how you felt in the dream. Pay attention to how you feel about snakes in dreams. See how you feel about snakes now, in your waking life.

An interpretation of snake dreams

An interpretation of snake dreams

This interpretation is from ""The Dream Interpretation Dictionary: Symbols, Signs, and Meanings" and is provided by J.M. DeBord aka "RadOwl". He is the author of several acclaimed books about dreaming, the host of The Dreams That Shape Us podcast, and is a moderator of r/Dreams, one of the largest dream sharing communities on the internet. Interpreting dreams about snakes depends primarily on your associations with snakes and how snakes are used in the dream-story. The variations run the gamut. To some people, snakes are feared and loathed. Just the thought of a snake makes their skin crawl. To others, snakes are symbols of temptation and evil. To still others, snakes are associated with good health, virility, transformation, and the presence or blessing of God. These associations form the basis of dream symbolism. The process of making associations can be as simple as whatever comes to mind first in relation to a snake. If I say “snake,” you say “____?” The snake is an enigmatic dream symbol that can’t be interpreted using pat definitions. Instead, dig into the story and analyze. How a snake is presented in your dream and how you react to it gives you a good idea of what it symbolizes. Is the snake dangerous, or just chillin’? Do you run in terror at the sight of it, or play with it? What role does the snake have in the dream-story, and what actions, if any, does it take? Where is the snake encountered and who, if anyone, is with you? Begin with a common use of snake symbolism. Snakes are known for being venomous, and as symbolism snakes can describe venomous people and situations. For example, venomous people poison your thoughts or feelings. They’re a bad influence and say things that hurt; they’re “mean as a snake.” They strike and lash out. They’re reptilian in their approach to life, only looking out for themselves. Everyday comparisons between people and venomous snakes are common, so for dreams it’s an easy connection to make. See: Venom If that’s how the symbolism is used in your dream, you’ll see it in the dream-story. The snake will be a venomous variety. It will bite and inject venom, or you will fear that happening. If the snake is not venomous, does not strike out, does not bite or provoke fear, then it’s probably not related to the symbolism of venom. See: Injecting Dreams make comparisons based on your personal associations, and fear is a common association with snakes. They can symbolize anything that you fear: people, places, situations—or just the idea of something, such as speaking in public or health problems. If you fear it, a dangerous snake can symbolize it. The idea can be stretched from here to Mars. For example, fear of getting into trouble, of failing a test, or of losing something you love can be symbolized as fear of a snake. See: Fear But if you don’t fear snakes, then they’re not likely to be used in your dreams to symbolize fear. Or if the snake is not a killer, then you have nothing to fear. Of course, some people fear any snake, so again, it depends on you and how you react to snakes in general and specifically to the snakes in your dreams. If you dream about overcoming fear of a snake, it’s a strong indicator of overcoming a fear of snakes or some other fear symbolized by them. Another word that sums up a situation with a snake is “danger.” This use of the symbolism is especially likely in scenarios where a snake rattles, or the situation is dangerous. A snake blocking your path can symbolize an obstacle to getting to where you want to be in life. Constricting situations in life are comparable to the killing method of boa constrictors and pythons. You feel suffocated, such as by a relationship, expectation, or duty. Something has a hold on you and won’t let go. The life is squeezed out of you. Situations in the work world can feel like a noose around the neck as the demands of the job sap the life out of you. People can become “ensnared” in all sorts of ways. See: Strangling However, dreams are clever and varied with how they use symbolism. A constrictor snake can symbolize the need to loosen up. You’re wrapped too tightly. A snake wrapped around the neck can describe a restricted airway while asleep, or poor blood circulation. A snake wrapped around a limb of the body can be a way of visualizing the sensation of a limb that’s “dead” because you fell asleep on it. Snakes are known for attacking out of the blue. They can lie still and hidden for hours waiting for lunch to wander past. This characteristic of snakes can describe people and situations, too. Some people lie in wait for an opportunity to attack. Situations can be fraught with potential for danger summed up in the image of a snake waiting to attack. See: Ambushing, Attacking Picture how a snake eats. It engulfs, opens its mouth and swallows whole. Imagine the possibilities for how that image can be used as symbolism. A relationship can engulf. A job can be all-consuming. An addiction or desire can encompass a person’s life. See: Devouring In the story of the Garden of Eden, a snake tempts Eve to eat of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. It symbolizes humans’ separation from nature and natural instincts, and has evolved as a general symbol of temptation and evil. That association can be used for a snake to symbolize Shadow. See: Shadows But wait, snakes aren’t all bad! The possibilities covered so far are all negative, but snakes are marvelous creatures that have many positive associations that can be used as symbolism. Snakes live in the ground and that closeness to the Earth creates a strong association with nature. Nature is associated with wisdom, fertility, and instincts. Snakes are used in rituals to bless crops for a good harvest and bless people with fertility and health. Cultural associations play a strong role in dream symbolism, especially with snakes because of the broad spectrum of perceptions and associations from culture to culture. See: The earth Snakes are connected with nature, which goes through cycles, and with renewal and health. When you’re ill, sometimes the best medicine is to listen closely to your body and give it what it needs. Snakes are highly sensitive to their environment and sense the slightest vibrations. That sensitivity can be used to create associations with sensitivity to the subtle signs and signals from your body. Women thinking about starting a family are known to dream about snakes; in particular, green snakes. The color green is associated with nature and fertility. A green snake in a tree is a particularly strong indicator because trees are also associated with families. See: Trees The color of a snake can be a modifier that defines the symbolism. See: Colors A snakebite, especially a bite on the wrist or hand, is known to be associated with a call from inside a person to “shed your skin” and transform. The idea extends further to include the need to take action. The hand is used to take action, so a bite to the hand can be a reminder or warning to act while you can. This use of the symbolism extends to any situation where a snake strikes. For more ideas, see: Bite. Snakes are used on the Rod of Asclepius, which is the basis of the caduceus, a symbol associated with medicine. The good-health associations stem from a snake’s ability to renew itself by shedding its skin. This idea has strong connections also with personal development and the psyche, because “shedding your skin” means letting go of the old to allow something new to emerge. Another very positive association exists between snakes and kundalini. Kundalini is an energy that rises out of the hips, travels up the spine, and emerges out of the forehead or crown of the head to connect with the “upper realm.” It’s visualized as two snakes intertwined and traveling up the spine. A snake emerging from the head is a symbol of deep insight and enlightenment. The long, cylindrical shape of snakes creates an association with the penis. The association is easily stretched to include males in general. “All men are snakes,” a frustrated woman says. Taken further, snakes are associated with everything about men and masculinity, positive and negative. As with all symbolism, look at the action to determine the meaning. If the snake crawls up your leg under your pants, it might be a phallic symbol. But if the snake is on a rock sunning itself, it might symbolize something “warming up,” as in “warming up to the idea.” See also: Biting, Cages, Colors, Devouring, Evil, Injecting, Reptiles, Shadows, Skin, Strangling, Venom

Examples of dreams of snakes

Reading dreams is one of the best ways to understand dream symbols. Even though the DreamWell Dream Dictionary is based upon data, it is grounded in the experience of reading thousands upon thousands of dreams. We invite you to read examples of snake dreams for yourself. These dreams are actual dreams people have had. As result, they may contain racist, sexist, violent, or otherwise offense language and imagery. This can be true even for snake dreams. Read at your own risk.

DreamWell logo

Explore your own dreams.

Download the free DreamWell app to start journaling your dreams.

Download now