Dreams About Snakes: Meaning and Symbolism Explained

Have you ever wondered what it means when you dream about snakes?

I did, too!

Unfortunately, finding the answer to this question was like getting dropped into a snakepit of dream interpretations. It was overwhelming and a little creepy.

However, after analyzing all of the possible snake dream meanings, there were only 5 that I determined to be spiritually accurate.

Ready to learn the spiritual meaning of snakes in dreams?

Let’s get started!

Related: What Does it Mean When You Dream About Alligators?

What Does it Mean When You Dream About Snakes?

Having a dream about snakes might seem scary at first. Especially if your dream involves getting bitten by a snake.

If this is a new dream you started having, you probably want to know what caused it and what it actually means.

Well, the good news is that it’s not as frightening as it seems.

But, the bad news is that having dreams about snakes says much about what you are currently going through in life. They might even appear in response to your thoughts or prayers.

In the Bible, snakes are symbolic of evil intentions, deception, and even drug or alcohol problems.

Snakes are often used in scripture to represent Satan, such as in Genesis and the Book of Revelation.

Of course, the snake was also what caused Eve to take a bite of the apple from the Tree of Knowledge and led to the fall of man (Genesis 3:5).

Here are the 5 spiritual meaning of having dreams about snakes, based on scripture:

Someone Has Taken Advantage of You

If you have a dream about snakes, this could be a sign that someone has or will take advantage of you.

According to the Bible, the snake is very intelligent and “more crafty” than any of the other wild animals (Genesis 3:1).

It is likely that a friend, family member, or even a stranger has tried to take something from you which is not rightfully theirs.

Your honesty and integrity is your greatest strength, yet also your biggest weakness.

You always give people the benefit of the doubt and are not quick to judge others. However, your gut is usually right when you can tell that someone is not being honest with you.

There have been many opportunities in your career or life that you have passed on. You might wonder how your life might be different if you made a different decision, but you don’t regret it. You simply refused to take advantage of others, because that’s not who you are.

You were raised to behave a certain way and protect your reputation at all costs. Sometimes that meant you missed out on making more money or getting the recognition you deserved.

It often frustrates you when others do not play by the same rules that you have set for yourself. Instead, they lie or cheat to get ahead in life.

You have trusted others in the past with private information, only to find out later that they betrayed your trust in order to profit from your honesty.

Psalm 140:3 says evil men have “tongues as sharp as a serpent’s; the poison of vipers is on their lips.”

Dreaming about a snake could be symbolic of how someone recently betrayed you.

Or, it could be a message from your guardian angel to be on the lookout for evil lurking ahead.

Either way, don’t ignore this message. Consider saying one of these prayers for protection.

Someone in Your Life is Struggling with Alcohol or Drug Problems

Seeing a snake in your dreams might be a sign that you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol or drug problems.

In the Bible, alcohol is symbolic of a poisonous snake bite. Proverbs 23 warns to beware of wine or alcohol when it goes down smoothly because eventually, it will strike back like a viper.

"Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine. Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! In the end, it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper. Your eyes will see strange sights, and your mind will imagine confusing things." (Proverbs 23:29-33 NIV)

Is there someone in your life who refuses to deal with their problems and uses alcohol to numb their pain?

They might not even realize they have a problem. To them, it’s just a way they’ve found to handle the stress in their life.

But to outsiders, it is obvious that alcohol or drugs are making things worse, not better.

Whether it is you, a family member, or close friend that needs help, dreaming about a snake or getting bit by a snake is a very powerful sign that something needs to change.

Your first step should be to say a healing prayer.

Then, consider talking to a counselor or medical professional to identify the appropriate next steps.

You Are Searching for Meaning in Your Life

In Genesis 3:5 the serpent encourages Eve to eat the apple from the Tree of Knowledge, despite God’s warning. He says “then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.”

People that have dreams about snakes usually have a very sharp mind. You likely think about and understand things that most people struggle to grasp.

There might even be some knowledge you don’t share with others because they aren’t ready for the truth. You know the difference between good and evil, but others may not. So, you like to keep certain secrets close to the vest just to be safe.

You value education and are constantly learning new things. However, you would probably admit that you’ve learned more from your real-world experience than you ever did while you were in school.

When there are snakes in your dreams it could be a sign that you are searching for meaning in your life.

You might be trying to figure out your real purpose or find your true calling.

Inside of you is a great deal of unused potential. But up to this point you have yet to figure out what you are passionate about or how to make a career out of it.

Take a moment and think about what else was happening in your dream. This could give you more clues as to what the snake symbolizes in your life.

You Are Struggling With Confidence

When you dream about snakes it might mean that you are struggling with self-confidence or are feeling discouraged.

In Exodus 3:4-22 Moses was called by God to lead the people of Israel out of slavery. But, he doubted whether anyone would follow his lead.

In response, God tells Moses to throw his shepherd’s rod onto the ground. The rod instantly turns into a snake. When Moses takes the snake by the tail it becomes a rod again.

This little trick was designed to give Moses confidence when meeting with the Pharaoh.

You may be struggling with self-confidence just as Moses did. But you must remember that God is watching over you.

Philippians 4:13 says “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

While you may not be able to transform objects into live animals, as Moses did, you still have incredible powers.

That snake in your dreams could symbolize the fears that are preventing you from taking action in your life.

When Moses first saw the snake on the ground he ran from it. But God encouraged him to pick it up by the tail and it transformed back into his rod.

Maybe your fears aren’t as bad as you imagine them to be.

You Are Dealing With Relationship Problems

In the Book of Genesis, the serpent tricks Eve into eating an apple from the Tree of Knowledge. God curses the snake and makes him crawl on his belly for the rest of his life.

God then makes the snake and man enemies of each other. Saying that “he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel” (Genesis 3:14-15).

Having a dream about a snake could be a clear sign that you are having relationship problems.

The snake is symbolic of someone you once trusted but is now hostile towards you. This conflict might appear as a snake chasing you or biting you in your dreams.

It makes you sad to think that a person you once loved could be so cold and mean towards you.

When you think about your current relationship problems it might be hard to figure out where it all went wrong.

You lie awake at night thinking back to how it once was. Wondering why you can’t just go back to the time when everything was so easy and fun.

But, now you are unsure how to get back to where you once were. At the moment, it doesn’t seem possible to forgive the other person.

What is clear is that the snake in your dream is symbolic of the stress in your life. The constant fighting or arguing can’t go on forever.

Something has to change.

Now It's Your Turn

And now I’d like to hear from you.

When was the last time you had a dream about snakes?

What do you think it means when you see a snake in your dream?

Either way, let me know by leaving a comment below right now.