Foreboding Dream Symbols That Are Actually Bad Luck

We’ve all experienced that sudden, sweat-drenched jerk back into waking reality after experiencing a creepy or unsettling dream. Even as most parts of the unnerving nightmare fade away, there are some foreboding dream symbols that seem to stick with us long afterward. For example, you might ask yourself, Why was I running away from a mountain of cardboard boxes? How come I dreamed of a vampire that kept trying to bite me, even though we were in broad daylight? 

There is no exact science to interpreting these foreboding dream symbols, but there is a general consensus as to what some of them mean. Sometimes, they mean that you are experiencing a lot of anxiety. Other times, they could be more specific and point to specific health ailments you may struggle with. And sometimes, dreams can be nonsensical, well, because they’re dreams. Some experts believe that dreams are your brain’s way of defragging itself, sorting out what we need to remember and what information no longer serves us and can be forgotten.

There is so much we still don’t understand about dreams, so their contents could hold more meaning than we know. Whether or not you believe in the predictive ability of the dream world, though, these interpretations of foreboding dream symbols still feel eerily accurate.

1. Boxes

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Everything you own in a box to the left

Boxes are one of the trickier foreboding dream symbols to interpret. If you are in a good place in your life, being surrounded by packed up boxes can suggest you are finally getting closure on something, be it a breakup or a miscommunication at work. If your dream with boxes felt more unsettling, it could be a sign that you are about to go through some emotional turmoil.

According to Dream Bible, boxes can mean you refuse to let go of something that no longer serves you.

If you keep having weird dreams about boxes that leave you feeling confused, consider doing some self-inventory. Are there habits, people, or patterns that no longer serve you? Let them go, and hopefully, the box dreams will stop.

2. Mars

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Mars is the Roman God of War, so it makes sense why the Red Planet could be a sign of impending conflict.

If you are dreaming of the planet Mars, there’s a good chance that it feels like no one is working as hard or as diligently as you. In fact, it may feel like most people in your life are failing you, which can lead to pent up resentment and anger.

The Red Planet is also one of those foreboding dream symbols that means you are about to enter a dangerous situation.

Again, this makes sense, given Mars’s mythical ties to the idea of war. If you find yourself specifically dreaming of life on Mars — and we don’t mean like the David Bowie bop — it might be a good idea to play it safe for a while. Look both ways before crossing the street. And really think about what you’re trying to say in tense conversations.

3. Snakes

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Seeing snakes in your dreams could point to some deceitful actions — and you could be the one performing them.

There is a reason Taylor Swift relied so heavily on snake imagery for her 2017 album Reputation: she felt like she had been deceived and tricked by others in the industry. The snake has a long history of being associated with treachery and evil, from the infamous snake in the Garden of Eden to Jafar’s magical staff in Aladdin.

But it’s not always someone else who is doing the deceiving.

Dreaming of a snake is one of those foreboding dream symbols that could suggest that you are lying, possibly to yourself. If you are seeing lots of slithering reptiles in your nightmares, it might be time to shed your deceptive skin and stop denying some hard truths and life revelations.

4. A Deceased Loved One

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If you have recently lost someone you loved, it makes sense why you would dream about them. If it’s been a while, however, this dream symbol could mean something much more ominous.

We’ve all had dreams about someone we’ve lost. It is completely natural, and sometimes it can even be comforting to see them again in your dream state. According to Learning Mind, dreaming about the recently deceased could be due to any unresolved feelings or conflicts with said person.

This dream symbol could also mean that your life is about to be turned upside-down.

Seeing someone long gone in your dreams could be a sign that your life is about to change quickly and dramatically. Now, this doesn’t always mean it is strictly a bad change, but chances are, it will be tumultuous. If you specifically dream of a deceased relative, it could be a warning of trouble on the way.

5. Peculiar Ways Of Getting Hurt

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Have you ever dreamed of a literal hammer hitting your head or a rat gnawing at your toes? It could be a sign of physical illness.

We’ve all had that bizarre dream that seemingly defies explanation. If you are being injured in a dream in a weird manner, be it by a strike of lightning or being choked by an octopus, your body could be trying to tell you that an illness or injury is on the way in real life.

According to Psychology Today, psychologists have tracked these types of dreams and connected them to real-life sickness.

For example, literature from 1923 recalls a man who repeatedly dreamed of his stomach being gnawed by a rat. Soon after he reported the dreams to a researcher, he was diagnosed with a duodenal ulcer. If you keep getting hurt in weird ways in your dream, pay attention to what part of the body is being attacked, and take extra care of it to be safe.

6. A Horse

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You know the saying, “As healthy as a horse?”

Well, if you see a horse while you sleep, it could be one of those foreboding dream symbols that suggests you need to worry about your health. According to dream analyst Lauri Loewenberg, seeing a horse in your dreams could mean that you need to “take the reins” on your physical health.

But horses aren’t always bad news.

Depending on the context of the horse in your dream, it could actually be a positive symbol. Horses are a symbol of strength, hard work, and freedom. If you are in a good place in your life, a horse may signify that you are on the right track. Keep it up!

7. Aggressive Animals

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If you repeatedly dream about aggressive animals, some studies suggest it could mean neurological issues down the line.

Neurologists are starting to study the connection between dream content and neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. According to The Guardian, a 2011 study found a correlation between recurring dreams of aggressive animals with the onset of Parkinson’s disease. ” We found a pattern of dream alteration characterized by heightened aggressiveness and the presence of animals. These were related to more severe frontal dysfunction, which could be the origin of such changes,” researchers suggested in Journal of Neural Transmission.

Of course, it is important to remember that correlation is not causation.

Just because you have foreboding dream symbols of rabid or aggressive animals doesn’t mean they are always foreboding dream symbols. If you find yourself dreaming of crazy critters often, it may be worth checking to see if neurological illnesses run in your family. We think it’s always better to be safe than sorry — plus it’s always good to be aware of any medical predispositions you may have.

8. Vampires

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If you are dreaming about this particular monster, some believe it means you have thyroid issues.

Aside from Twilight, vampires are most often associated with their favorite pastime: biting necks and drinking blood. According to the Dream Studies Portal, seeing these bloodsuckers could mean you will be dealing with thyroid or throat issues down the line. If you are feeling sluggish during the day and having vampire dreams, it may be time to check in with your doctor.

It can also mean you are feeling drained.

While this isn’t so much of a warning, dreaming of vampires — especially of having one feed off you — could be your subconscious simply telling you that your energy is depleted. Pay attention to who the vampire in your dream is. It could mean that someone in your life is acting as an energy vampire or stealing your thunder.

9. Inns Or Motels

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If you are traveling in a dream and stay at an inn, it could mean money problems.

According to In Pure Spirit, if you are in a dingy inn, motel, or hotel during your dream, it could be predicting that you are going to have to be a lot stricter with your finances. An inn could also indicate that you will be facing some massive disappointment in the near future, and it doesn’t have to be money-related. These foreboding dream symbols aren’t always cut and dry, unfortunately.

It’s a lot like the Five of Pentacles.

If you are a fan of tarot, you are familiar with the Five of Pentacles. This card depicts two wary people hobbling through the snow. They see the warm light of a building, perhaps an inn, and pine for the warmth inside. If you dream of inns, consider squirreling away some cash for a rainy day.

10. Volcanoes

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If you see a volcano as you catch some ZZZ’s, prepare for drama.

This one makes a lot of sense. If you are dreaming of an eruptive volcano, In Pure Spirit suggests that it is warning of an impending blow-out with a friend or loved one. The more fiery the explosion, the more volatile your fight or misunderstanding with this person will be.

If it’s a silent volcano, that’s good news.

Fortunately, according to In Pure Spirit, if the volcano is dormant, that means there could be a reconciliation on the horizon. Did you recently have a huge fight with someone and then dream of a quiet volcano? Start prepping your apology now, as they may reach out to you soon.