Individual fish species impart their own meanings to dreamers. Pay particular attention to the color of the fish as this will add to the interpretation; for example, a purple fish connotes spirituality. When interpreting the meaning of specific fish in your dreams it is also important to bear in mind cultural associations with certain types of fish that may imbue them with extra meaning. For example, if you are familiar with Japanese lore you may equate carp with courage, love or good luck; the dream carp could, however, be pointing to your tendency to carp on or nag at someone in waking life.
While for Freudians, all fish are phallic symbols, the dream image of cod may suggest a yearning for a homely situation, as cod is basic food for lunch or supper. Because of its legendary instinct to find distant spawning grounds, to dream of salmon swimming up a river suggests that home and family are always paramount in your mind, no matter how far you travel. Dream salmon can also suggest single- minded persistence and wisdom. In folklore, solitary trout were sometimes regarded as guardians of the pool and to dream of these fish offers encouragement that you will rise to the top of your chosen profession.
An eel in a dream may symbolize a slippery acquaintance— someone who makes you feel uncomfortable, because they are not to be trusted. According to Freudians, the eel represents temptation and sexual desires. Dreaming of numerous eels writhing in the water therefore symbolizes a longing for sexual orgasm.
If you managed to catch an eel in the dream, this may be a sign of good fortune. Your good luck may, of course, be tempered if you cannot hold your dream eel in your hands and it slips away from you.
If the eel is wriggling, it is a warning that someone of the opposite sex may be trying to impress you, but may have less than honorable intentions.
Jellyfish may suggest feelings arising from the unconscious that are painful, as well as a sense of helplessness or spinelessness.
If jellyfish appear in your dream, you may feel that you’re unsupported at an emotional level. On the other hand, it could imply a sense of drifting aimlessly, lacking backbone and being spineless in some way. A starfish carries the same symbolism as a star, but represents your physical expression or manifestation of your level of connection to your Universal Source.
If sea bass appear in your dream, they may refer to spiritual talents and the generous sharing of them. A pike also refers to spiritual nourishment, whereas a trout denotes a satisfaction with your spiritual development. To dream of catfish can denote a catty, pretentious or arrogant attitude towards your spirituality, whilst clownfish suggest foolish factors connected to your spiritual development.
Because of its association with the term ’ray of light’, a manta ray in your dream may suggest moments of inspiration or intuition. A sea anemone may represent spiritual diversity, sea urchins suggest spiritual immaturity, whilst sea horses relate to spiritual beliefs that are more grounded in fantasy than reality.
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