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DREAMING ABOUT RATSHaving dreams about rats? Wondering what rats mean in your dreams? Trying to understand what they symbolize? As a counselor and educator, I can tell you that people dream about rats more often than you think. The problem is most folks don’t like talking about them, particularly when in polite company. Not that there’s anything wrong with rats. Some people really dig them. But in the general sense, they aren’t a topic of conversation most folks would bring up over dinner. But what if I told you that seeing rats in dreams is a sign of good luck? Moreover, how would you feel if I said rat dreams have psychological and spiritual significance? Well, guess what? I’m going to suggest just that plus a whole lot more. Did a scary appear in your dream?This post is all about those furry, four-legged animals with beady eyes that crawl, jump and run. Because I’m aware that rodents tend to freak people out, I’ve tried to write this piece in a way that focuses on fact and less on the grotesque. RAT DREAMS EXPLOREDAs a therapist, my work is concerned with helping people create meaning in their lives. While some of this involves traditional talk therapy, other aspects touch on the subconscious. That’s where dream interpretation comes in. If you have an open mind, dreams can be an amazing pathway into the subconscious, revealing your hopes, fears, and desires for the future. In the spiritual sense, dreams – such as ones about rats – can signify something holy. But they can also be symbolic of something sinister and dark. It just depends on your belief system. I’m going to be candid with you and say that I don’t have all the answers. But I can tell you this – rats don’t appear in dreams “just because”. Instead, they are symbolic of something happening in your life, projected onto your mind’s mental canvas. Did a rat bite you in a dreamWHAT DREAMS ABOUT RATS SYMBOLIZEIt’s important to recognize that your perceptions of rats largely influence their meaning in dreams. Yep, that’s right. How you feel about them during waking hours crosses over to the subconscious during sleep. For example, do rats scare the living daylights out of you? Do you think they are cute? Does seeing a tiny one scurry across a sidewalk scare the crap out of you? Knowing the answers to these questions will help you contextualize their meaning and symbolism. A lot of people, particularly in North America, hate rats. Others think they are adorable and keep them as pets. So, ask yourself now: How do I feel about rats? Rats at the Karni Mata temple in RajasthanRAT DREAM SCENARIOS INTERPRETEDNow it’s time to explore the different scenarios in which rats manifest in dreams. Again, it is critical for you to consider your own reactions to these vermin before assigning meaning. Psychologically, dreams about rats can represent something negative, like a depressed mood or low self-esteem. But they can also speak to something positive, like surviving a difficult life event or moving past the death of a loved one. It goes without saying that cultural beliefs are very much part of the equation. Here are several popular themes involving rats in dreams. Do any of these resonate? Dead RatIf you see a dead rat in your dream, it could symbolize the following:
Rats that bite, chew, and scratchAre your dreams about rats the kind that includes biting, chewing or scratching? Here’s what they could mean:
Rats that are chasing youDid you have a dream about rats chasing you? Were there lots of them? If so, this may mean:
Rats that crawl on youOne of the scariest types of dreams involves rats crawling on you. Is this something you can relate to? If so, it could mean the following:
Running ratsA variation of being chased is seeing rats running all over the place. Can you relate? Here’s what they could mean in your dream. Be sure to vote in the poll about rat dreams.
Rat colors and dreamsIt may seem odd, but some people have dreams about different colored rats. There are too many variations to list on this page but here are a few of the biggies. Next to each, I’ve listed what they may symbolize.
Rat sizes (Fat, Giant and Small)Many people have dreams about giant rats. Others conjure up images of small ones. Either way, here’s what they could mean:
OTHER RAT DREAM MEANINGSThe truth is there are more meanings that can be assigned to dreams than I can shake a stick at. Because so much depends on how you feel about rats, it’s hard to pinpoint an exact interpretation. That said, here are some other thoughts about what rat-related dreams could mean. It’s best to look at the big picture and remember that the content of your dreams can’t be taken literally. Dreaming about rats could mean:
DREAM JOURNALOne of the best ways of determining the meaning of your dream is to keep a dream journal. Think of this as a tool that you can use to record images and content. Dream journals are easy to create. Just grab a notebook and pen jot everything down that you recall. You can even buy one online that is specifically designed for this task (see Amazon). In addition to the journal, you may also want to consider picking up a dream dictionary. There are many on the marketplace. One of the best ones you can buy is The Complete Dictionary of Dreams by Lennox (see Amazon for price). I like it because it offers tons of insight into various objects and symbols. WRAP UPDreaming about rats can be terrifying. But it can also be a sign of good luck. As mentioned earlier, it all depends on how you perceive these creatures during waking hours. Hopefully, the material presented here has given you new insight into what’s going on – deep inside your subconscious. Thanks for stopping by! References Times of India. (2008). Rat mean to be comercialized in Bihar. Retrieved from Internet Way Back Machine |