Fish in dreams are usually positive omens that have been around for thousands of years in many different cultures. When fish appear in our dreams they contain hidden messages related to luck, abundance, joy, rebirth, the higher self, the unknown and creativity.
Connecting the dreamer with his emotions that may not be fully understood, the depths of our soul, the deepest consciousness of unconsciousness or the higher self. We must remember that fish are also cold-blooded, driven not by passion but by survival, and often represent people.
Fish are a very common symbol of dreams, however, depending on the type of fish and how you interact with it, the meaning of your dream is altered. How did the fish appear in your dreams?
Fish swimming in the sea or ocean
Observing fish swimming in an ocean, sea, or pond could be connected to the unconscious mind. These are positive dreams that show the abundance of something that is now conscious to you. If you are swimming with the fish it suggests that you are in control of your emotions.
Catching fish
Dreaming of catching fish can be a pun that you may be fishing for something. Depending on the context of your dream and who is around you, it can be applied to thoughts, ideas, information, and knowledge. If you caught any fish or had problems, it will depend on the search result. If you noticed a hook it may be a pun to catch something you want or you may be hooked on something.
Fish and eggs
Seeing fish eggs in your dream are positive symbols that translate into an abundance or a lot of something to come. This may be connected to the unconscious emotional part that suggests an emergency ready to hatch soon.
Cook, Eat, Clean Fish
These dreams involve a personal nourishment that has finally been obtained. The fish could be a symbol of the spiritual or emotional aspect of the dreamer that is now used in their everyday life. If you're cleaning, it suggests a possible preparation for good things to come. We normally tend to dream of eating fried fish in our dreams that could be related to our diet. These dreams can suggest that you are taking positive energy.
Dead fish
If you noticed a fish that is dead it suggests disappointment, failure and loss in your life. Something was left neglected in his life that needed to be fed and cared for. Death and rebirth play a role, so depending on the context of the dream, this could be a positive symbol. Inside the new and outside the old.
Fish basin
If you noticed goldfish swimming in a fish tank, suggest restraint and confidence. If you feel like you are stuck at work or in a relationship, this dream can be a metaphor. Could this be connected to how you are socially? Does it imply that you feel lonely and that you need to explore depths of your mind that have never been explored before?
Fish aquarium
The fish and colors that you see in the aquarium help to decipher the meaning of the dream. If you see Nemo for example, it may suggest that you have found something that you have been looking for. Dreaming of a small number of fish in aquariums suggests that your awareness of the inability to pursue significant romantic interests. If you noticed that the aquarium is empty in dreams it reflects a lack of emotional involvement with your world. You are not aware or care how many problems affect you. If it is dirty it suggests the need to clean or change negative thought patterns
Fish out of water:
These are very common dreams that could be a pun related to your shyness or social awkwardness. It may be suggesting that you need to get back on track.
Fish and pregnancy
Often pregnant women dream of fish bathing during the first trimester. There may be a link between the baby and the fish swimming in its stomach.
Colorful or flying
These are very positive dreams that bring positive energy flowing to you. Colors in dreams are very significant, the more vibrant the better. Interestingly many report fish flying in the air. These dreams hint at an unconscious and conscious connection; possibly the beginning. What was once hidden underneath is now visible.
Metaphorical word game
Dreams can appear in one way but they mean the other, since the unconscious sends us puzzles to put them together. Fish symbolism can alter meaning based on your own experiences and dream contexts. The idioms below can help you better understand what your dream may be hinting at.
- A cold fish (personality)
- Big Fish (boss)
- Fish out of water (solo / judo / different)
- Make the fish of one and the poultry of the other
- Something is suspicious (rare / something / warning)
- Different cauldron of fish (strange person)
- Everything is fish that reaches your net (luck)
- Better Fish To Fry (more chances)
- Big fish in a small pond (think big but not big)
- Cry Stinking Fish (UK)
- Drink like a fish (alcoholic)
Types of Fish Dreams
Goldfish - Suggests the need to open their horizons and get out of the confined space in which they live. You may need to travel and explore the deepest part of yourself.
Flying fish - These dreams are signals to pay attention to what is jumping on you. It appears in front of you for a reason to let you know that it is time to explore the depths.
Whales - In depth analysis: These are the guides that take you to the unconscious depths of your emotions. They are intelligent, social and navigate through the senses connecting us with intuition or the psychic.
Fish eyes - Could this be addressed how you feel inside? The expression in the eyes of the fish does not really change, neither alive nor dead.
Salmon - These are powerful dream messages that you need to fight for the most valuable things in life. In other words, if you are locked in one of the toughest fights of your life and you keep fighting. Salmon swims upstream, so it might suggest you're going in the wrong direction.
Dolphins - In depth analysis: They appear as a sign of resurrection, intelligence, intuition and protection. They are very playful and full of life, which reminds us to approach life with a sense of joy and humor.
Color fish - The color of the fish can be related to its chakras and its energy field. Depending on the condition and brightness of the fish shows the need to work on it or not
Eel - If the eel is an electric one that could be a warning to someone or to you, it has the ability to give a shock on an emotional level. It could also suggest a phallic symbol or a possible energy going up the spine (serpent).
Piranha - The piranha's sharp teeth can cut through metal. When they appear in our dream, we need to see possible threats related to the emotional side of the dreamer. It might suggest enemies that are around in abundance ready to attack the moment you put your feet in the water.
Seahorse - The seahorse is known to bring luck of good fortune and charm to the dreamer. An attribute of the sea, the seahorse is considered a symbol of strength and power.
Coral reef - The bright colors and uniqueness of these dreams imply that you came across a rare find in your life. Go your way as you stumble upon new beginnings and life. However, you need to appreciate it as it is in danger of extinction.
Catfish - The catfish appears in dreams is a sign and a message that good fortune will come soon. It is also a reminder of the need to protect blessings or lifestyle.
Shrimp - These dreams can be a play on words for the feeling of inferiority and helplessness against large predators.
Biblical meaning of fish
The fish became a symbol for Christianity around the 2nd century post-apostolic church. It is frequently found carved into the walls of the catacombs below the ancient city of Rome.
The fish symbol is a Greek word that looks like this <>< “ichthys/ichthus” which connects i (Iesous-Jesus), ch (Christos-Christ), th (theou-of God), u (huios- son), s (soter-savior). Translating Jesus Christ the Son of God is the Savior. Due to the persecution of Christians by the Romans, this was a key word among them. In the Bible, fish are used in many verses to signify a positive message of abundance and hard work.
Jonah 1:17
And the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the fish's stomach for three days and three nights.
Matthew 4:18
As Jesus was walking along the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, named Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting the net into the sea, because they were fishermen.
Ezekiel 47: 9
It will happen that every living being that swarms in all the places where the river passes, will live. And there will be many fish, because these waters go there and the others become fresh; So everything will live where the river goes
John 21: 6
And he said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find it.” And they cast it out, and now they could not get it out because of the multitude of fish.”
Ancient Egypt
Hatmehit in ancient Egyptian religion was a fish goddess in the area around the delta city. In ancient Egyptian art, Hatmehit was depicted as a fish, or a woman with a fish emblem or crown on her head. Hatmehit was known as the goddess who protects life and people.
Ancient Chinese and American tribes
Traditionally the Chinese view fish as good luck and fortune. In their writing, the character for fish (yu 鱼) is pronounced the same as the Chinese character for surplus (yu 余), the symbol for fish signifying prosperity and luck.
The meaning of the fish symbol was to signify water and the flow of life from Earth. Many Native American Indians in the Plateau regions relied on their livelihoods to provide for the community. Their religions have used the fish to symbolize life, spiritual change, and healing.
Astrology Fish Symbol
Fish are often associated with the astrological sign Pisces. The astrological symbol shows the two fish caught by a rope, usually by the mouth or the tails. Fish are sometimes shown swimming in opposite directions; this represents the duality within the nature of Pisces. They are ruled by the planet Neptune.
According to the Babylonians, they believed that a fish moved a giant egg from the Euphrates River, and after the egg emerged a mermaid, the fertility goddess of the seas, Atargatis. The son of Atargatis was called Ichthys; a name later used by Christians to refer to Jesus Christ.