Dream Dictionary

The creatures that live beneath the water combine the idea of instinctual stirrings ‘below the surface’ with the idea of emotion. All creatures associated with the sea generally portray the ‘living side’ or movement of the unconscious. Since ancient times, the fish has been associated with the idea of ‘trapping fate’ or luck. The swimming fish can represent your evolutionary journey, while the dead fish symbolizes your inability to grow. The different types of fish and their Colors or behavior can shed light on how you are currently ‘connecting’ with information from the unconscious.

To dream of a crab can suggest moving back and forth indecisively or defensively as you bring emotions forward. This is a highly self-protective creature that can be ‘weighed down’ by its own armor. Dreaming of a crab can be a message about moving beyond insecurity and fear. The dolphin is playful, and could be classified as ‘the dog of the sea.’ Like dogs, who are ‘faithful’ and represent the easy expression of feelings and love in your relationship to others, dreaming of a dolphin suggests this loving connection taking place within you as you move to access your deeper layers.

Jellyfish are not easily seen, and have long tentacles that can sting you. They can portray fear of delving beneath the surface to trace the roots of your feelings that are painful. Their transparent skin associates them with the idea that you may be ‘thin skinned’ in your emotional interactions. The octopus has ‘clinging’ and ‘sucking’ arms that come from every direction and can drown you. It can symbolize clinginess or jealousy and guilt associated with the mother. The seal spends large amounts of time on land and can symbolize making practical use of unconscious information that is rising to the surface. Like the dolphin, they appear to be content with the simple things in life.

Sharks have a way of instilling fear because of their razor sharp teeth. They can represent aggressive behavior that operates unconsciously below the surface, threatening ‘to tear you apart.’ The whale is an enormous fish that is associated with overwhelming urges and grand scale movement within the psyche.

Plant life, which thrive beneath the surface of water and washes ashore when dead, can symbolize what is growing and being nurtured or neglected within you. These seaweeds can also represent how you are letting go. Corals are stony structures, which can threaten ships approaching a harbor and can represent the defensive structures you build to keep others from getting too emotionally close to you. If the coral are colorful and appreciated in the depths of the water, the message is more about the beauty and complexity of your own inner depths.