- The theme nature and plants has 15 symbols in the dream dictionary.
- The most searched symbols of the theme are garden, sunset, moon.
- Every symbol is read three ways: folk dream books, psychology and sleep research.
- The details of the dream, the colour, the behaviour and how you felt, change the reading.
- Dream interpretation is a tradition of reading symbols; it does not predict events.
What nature and plants mean in a dream
In the 20th century psychology joined the tradition. Sigmund Freud read dreams as the expression of repressed wishes, Carl Gustav Jung as the psyche’s attempt to restore balance. Modern sleep research shows that the content of dreams is shaped largely by the day’s impressions and by sensations in the sleeping body.
If you cannot find the exact word, start from a theme. Inside each theme the symbols are grouped and compared with one another.
Most searched dreams about nature and plants
GardenNature and plantsA dream about a garden is traditionally read as a good sign of peace and comfort when it blooms, and a warning of loss when only vegetables or weeds appear. Psychology reads the garden as what you tend in your own life.SunsetNature and plantsA dream about a sunset is traditionally read as the close of a matter: a calm sunset promises rest and contentment, a blood-red one a quarrel. Psychology reads it as acceptance of an ending, and research finds scenic dreams follow the dreamer's mood and recent views.MoonNature and plantsA dream about the moon is traditionally read as luck in love and business when the sky is calm, and as trouble when the moon is strange, red or doubled, as Miller sets out. Psychology reads the moon as the feminine, cyclical and unconscious side of life; research finds no link between lunar phase and dream content.TreeNature and plantsA dream about a tree is traditionally read by its condition: a green, fruiting tree is health and prosperity, a bare or fallen tree is loss. Psychology reads the tree as the dreamer's own life and growth, roots and branches together, and research finds natural settings among the more pleasant dream environments.ForestNature and plantsA dream about a forest is traditionally read by its character: a stately green forest for prosperity and pleasure, a dense, dark one for loss and unhappy influences. Psychology reads a forest as the unknown parts of the self, and research ties it to the dreamer's mood.FlowersNature and plantsA dream about flowers is traditionally read as joy, affection and a time of growth, while withered flowers point to loss or neglect. Psychology reads them as feelings coming into bloom, and research notes that nature scenes and pleasant sensory images are common in dreams.SandNature and plantsA dream about sand is traditionally read as famine and losses, in Miller's blunt phrase, and in folk books as time slipping and plans without foundation. Psychology reads sand as impermanence and the ground giving way, and research links it to the beach settings and unstable footing common in dream reports.SunNature and plantsA dream about the sun is one of the most favourable images in dream tradition: clarity, warmth, success and vitality. Psychology reads it as consciousness, energy and the part of you that sees clearly.MountainNature and plantsA dream about mountains is traditionally read as a challenge: an easy green climb for rising fortune, a rugged one for obstacles. Psychology reads the mountain as a goal or an inner height, and research links climbing dreams to effort and aspiration.
All symbols: nature and plants
FlowersA dream about flowers is traditionally read as joy, affection and a time of growth, while withered flowers point to loss or neglect. Psychology reads them as feelings coming into bloom, and research notes that nature scenes and pleasant sensory images are common in dreams.ForestA dream about a forest is traditionally read by its character: a stately green forest for prosperity and pleasure, a dense, dark one for loss and unhappy influences. Psychology reads a forest as the unknown parts of the self, and research ties it to the dreamer's mood.GardenA dream about a garden is traditionally read as a good sign of peace and comfort when it blooms, and a warning of loss when only vegetables or weeds appear. Psychology reads the garden as what you tend in your own life.GrassA dream about grass is traditionally one of the most favourable: fresh green grass promises a happy, advancing life, while withered grass reverses it. Psychology reads grass as growth and ease, and research ties it to the dreamer's mood and surroundings.HerbsA dream about herbs is traditionally read as small cares followed by small pleasures, with useful herbs promising satisfaction and poisonous ones warning of enemies. Psychology reads herbs as a wish for healing, care and simple remedies.IvyA dream about ivy is traditionally read as lasting loyalty, health and growing fortune, while withered ivy warns of broken ties. Psychology reads the plant as attachment: what clings to you, what you cling to, and what slowly covers over time.MoonA dream about the moon is traditionally read as luck in love and business when the sky is calm, and as trouble when the moon is strange, red or doubled, as Miller sets out. Psychology reads the moon as the feminine, cyclical and unconscious side of life; research finds no link between lunar phase and dream content.MountainA dream about mountains is traditionally read as a challenge: an easy green climb for rising fortune, a rugged one for obstacles. Psychology reads the mountain as a goal or an inner height, and research links climbing dreams to effort and aspiration.MudA dream about mud is traditionally read as a warning about reputation and slow, heavy going: gossip, trouble or a situation that holds you back. Psychology reads mud as feeling stuck, or sometimes as fertile ground.MushroomsA dream about mushrooms is traditionally read as sudden growth and a caution about haste: what springs up overnight may not last. Psychology reads mushrooms as hidden networks and things that grow out of decay.SandA dream about sand is traditionally read as famine and losses, in Miller's blunt phrase, and in folk books as time slipping and plans without foundation. Psychology reads sand as impermanence and the ground giving way, and research links it to the beach settings and unstable footing common in dream reports.StarsA dream about stars is traditionally read as hope, guidance and good fortune when the stars are clear, and as trouble when they are dull or falling. Psychology reads stars as ideals and distant goals.SunA dream about the sun is one of the most favourable images in dream tradition: clarity, warmth, success and vitality. Psychology reads it as consciousness, energy and the part of you that sees clearly.SunsetA dream about a sunset is traditionally read as the close of a matter: a calm sunset promises rest and contentment, a blood-red one a quarrel. Psychology reads it as acceptance of an ending, and research finds scenic dreams follow the dreamer's mood and recent views.TreeA dream about a tree is traditionally read by its condition: a green, fruiting tree is health and prosperity, a bare or fallen tree is loss. Psychology reads the tree as the dreamer's own life and growth, roots and branches together, and research finds natural settings among the more pleasant dream environments.
Questions people ask
What does it mean to dream about nature and plants?
It depends on the symbol and the details. Folk dream books give each symbol a fixed reading, psychology asks what this image means to you, and sleep research reminds that dreams rework the day. Open a symbol for all three.
Does the same symbol always mean the same thing?
In dream books, mostly yes. In psychology, no: the same image can mean different things to different people, and your feeling in the dream is the key.
What if my symbol is not here?
Use the search. If nothing comes up, describe the dream in a few words on the search page; the editor reviews suggestions and adds the symbols that people ask for.
Sources
- Miller G. H. Ten Thousand Dreams Interpreted, 1901.
- Freud S. The Interpretation of Dreams, 1899.
- Jung C. G. Man and His Symbols, 1964.
- Artemidorus. Oneirocritica, 2nd century.
- Hall C. S., Van de Castle R. L. The Content Analysis of Dreams, 1966.
- Schredl M. Dream research: an introduction, in various editions.
How this page is made
Each symbol page sets three readings side by side and names where each comes from. A symbol is published only when its page has a full description with sources. Search volumes decide which symbols are written first.