General Symbolism of Rats in Dreams
Rats are complex and multilayered symbols with different meanings depending on your dream’s context and emotions. Some of the general symbolism meanings of rats in your dreams indicate;
- Fear and worry. Rat in this case is a symbol of your emotions and anxieties that are gnawing at you. You may be fearful of human relations, distrusting of people, and apprehensive of situations in your real life. You may also worry about your health, finances, or future.
- Envy and jealousy. Rat in this case is a symbol of your negative emotions and attitudes towards others who have something that you desire or lack, such as success, happiness, or even a relationship, it may also feel like someone is taking something away from you. You may be jealous of someone’s success, happiness, or relationship. You may also feel like someone is taking or stealing something away from you.
- Backstabbing and betrayal. Rat, in this case, is a symbol of someone or something that is deceiving, cheating, or harming you in some way, for example spreading rumors or lies about you or betraying your loyalty or friendship. As the sayings go “someone is ratting you out” or ”behaving like a dirty rat”.
- Transformation and change. Rats in this case symbolizes a change or a transition in your life or in yourself. Same way as rats can destroy the old and create the new, gnaw through a wall or a wire, you may be undergoing a transformation or a growth process, and you may be ready to embrace a new phase or a new identity in your life.
- Repression and release. Rats in this case symbolize repressed or hidden parts of yourself that are emerging or being released. You may be confronting your fears, insecurities, or your negative traits. You may also be expressing your creativity, passion, or your power.
What is the spiritual meaning of rats in dreams?
Spiritually, rats in dreams symbolize survival, resourcefulness, and adaptability, as they are known for their resilience in harsh environments, which symbolizes your ability to navigate challenging situations.
What is the biblical meaning of rats in dreams?
In biblical symbolism, rats are typically seen as unclean creatures, which makes dreaming of rats a symbol of feelings of guilt or unconfessed sin. It could also symbolize overcoming negative aspects, as rats are survivors.
What is the prophetic meaning of rats?
In prophetic dreams, rats could symbolize imminent changes or warnings. Seeing a rat might symbolize a need to review your personal or professional life for potential issues.
Common Rat Dreams
There are many scenarios of dreaming about rats. Here are some of the most common ones and what they may mean:
1. Dream of rats running in the house.
Dreaming of rats running in the house may symbolize a threat or a disturbance in your home or family life in the form of a conflict, crisis, or loss. In the form of an emotional aspect, it symbolizes a feeling of insecurity, instability, or feeling unsafe in your own environment.
2. Dreaming of rats running around.
Dreaming of rats running around symbolizes your chaotic and stressful state of mind. You may be feeling overwhelmed, confused, or out of control in your life, possibly due to overload of problems or things to do.
3. Dreaming of rats crawling on you.
Dreaming of rats crawling on you symbolizes you are feeling invaded, violated, or disgusted by someone or something in your waking life, leaving you feeling contaminated or infected mentally, emotionally and even physically. You may feel that someone is getting too close to you, crossing your boundaries, or touching you inappropriately.
4. Dream of rats running away.
Dreaming of rats running away symbolizes you are avoiding or escaping something that is threatening or unpleasant in your life. You may be running away from your fears, responsibilities, or problems.
5. Dream of baby rats.
Dreaming of baby rats symbolizes something new or immature in your waking life. You may be starting a new project, a new relationship, or a new phase in your life and you are feeling vulnerable, helpless or even dependent not knowing how to approach the situation.
6. Dream of being chased by a rat.
Dreaming of being chased by a rat symbolizes you are feeling threatened, attacked, or pursued by someone or something in your life. You may be feeling pressured, harassed, or intimidated by someone or something, and you are trying to run away from it.
7. Dreaming of rats biting you.
Dreaming of rats biting you symbolizes that you are feeling hurt, wounded, infected, betrayed, cheated or even harmed by someone or something in your life that you trusted.
8. Dreams about rats biting your hands.
Dreaming about rats biting your hands symbolizes you are feeling restricted or disabled by someone or something, you may feel like you are unable to to express yourself, or achieve your goals. You may also be feeling guilty, ashamed, or responsible for something that is not your fault.
9. Dreams of dead rats.
Dreaming of dead rats symbolizes you are overcoming a negative, maybe harmful thing or a toxic situation in your life, maybe a toxic relationship or a negative situation.
10. Dream of killing rats.
Dreaming of killing rats symbolizes you confronting, eliminating, fighting back or standing up for yourself to something that is threatening or unpleasant in your life.
11. Color of the rat.
The rat’s color in your dream can symbolize different things depending on your dream’s context and emotions. Here are some of the possible meanings of different rat colors:
Gray rat dream meaning.
Dreaming about a gray rat symbolizes that you are feeling dull, boring, indifferent or uninterested in your life. You are lacking excitement, passion, or creativity in your life and have a hard time deciding on anything.
Black rat dream meaning.
Dreaming about a black rat symbolizes that you are feeling fearful, worried, or pessimistic in your life, expecting the worst in everything. You may be expecting the worst, or seeing the negative side of things.
White rat dream meaning.
Dreaming about a white rat symbolizes that you are feeling pure, innocent, or virtuous, doing something good or acting on your morals and values. in your waking life.
Brown rat dream meaning.
Dreaming about a brown rat symbolizes you are feeling grounded, practical, or realistic, dealing with facts and focusing on essentials in your life.
A Word of Advice
Dreaming about rats can be a challenging and unpleasant experience, but they don’t necessarily symbolize something evil or bad. It is rather a way for your subconscious mind to communicate with you, and to help you understand yourself and your life better. There are ways to dive deeper and understand the steps to better understand what messages dreams are relaying.
- Don’t take it literally. Remember that rats are a symbol that can have different meanings depending on the context and the emotions of your dream. Don’t let your dream affect your mood or behavior or cause you to panic or worry unnecessarily.
- Reflect on your dream. Try to recall your dream’s details and emotions and write them down in a journal. Think about what rats mean to you and their role in your life. Consider how the dream relates to your current situation and what message it may have for you.
- Talk to someone. If your dream is bothering you, or if you need some guidance or support, the best way to go about it is to turn to someone you trust, such as a friend, a family member, or a therapist. They may help you gain some insight or perspective on your dream or offer you some comfort or advice.
- Embrace change. If your dream indicates a change or a transition in your life or in yourself, try to embrace it. Change can be scary and difficult, but it can also be an opportunity for growth and renewal. Trust that everything happens for a reason, and that you have the strength and the resources to cope with whatever comes your way.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about dreaming about rats:
1. Is it good to see rats in dreams?
Seeing rats in dreams is not usually a good sign, as it often indicates negative emotions and situations in your life. It is also a sign of personal or spiritual transformation and symbolizes the repressed or hidden parts of yourself that are emerging or being released. Dreams of rats may also be an omen to warn or guide you through life.
2. What does it mean to dream of rats and mice?
Dreaming of rats and mice can have similar meanings, as they are both rodents that are often considered pests or vermin. They can both symbolize fear, worry, envy, jealousy, backstabbing, and betrayal. They also both symbolize a personal or spiritual transformation, a period of change or instability, or the release of repressed parts of the inner self. However, mice can also symbolize timidity, shyness, or meekness, while rats can symbolize cunning, intelligence, or adaptability.
3. What do rats mean in a dream psychology?
According to dream psychology, rats can mean different things depending on the dreamer’s context and emotions. They can represent the anxieties, insecurities, or negative traits that are gnawing. They can also represent the enemies, rivals, or betrayers that are harming or deceiving. Alternatively, they can represent the dreamer’s creativity, passion, or power that are emerging or being expressed. They can also represent the repressed or hidden parts that are being confronted or released.
