dream symbol

Mollusk / Octopus / Shellfish / Snail Dream Meaning

If a shelled mollusk, such as a scallop or cowry, caught your eye in your dream, this may suggest female sexuality. Dream shellfish—in the same manner as the crustaceans—represent the defensive shell you may use in waking life to avoid hurt or emotional involvement.

If you came across an oyster in your dream, was the shell open or closed? If the oyster shell was shut, it may be hinting that your unconscious contains a pearl of wisdom. Oysters are also traditionally thought to be aphrodisiacs, so is it time to reinvigorate your love life? If the oyster shell was empty, could your unconscious have been indicating events that have passed you by, or do you think the world is no longer your oyster? If a mussel features in your dream, this may suggest that you are afraid to reveal your soft, pulpy and vulnerable interior and are in a state of hiding. Another interpretation is that you are worried about your state of dependence, having attached yourself to someone or something because you believe that you cannot make it on your own. Consider also the homonym for mussel. Should a clam or clams appear in your dream are you closing up, withdrawing, withholding, avoiding, being reticent or clamming up in some way in waking life? Perhaps you are keeping a secret. Alternatively, it could be that something in your life feels sticky or uncomfortably close, as in clammy. On the other hand it may also imply happiness, euphoria, and that you are as happy as a clam.

If a freshwater or land-based snail featured in your dream, do you wish to creep into your shell or, as snails move slowly, is a project taking longer than you thought in waking life? Other interpretations for snail include: lacking in vitality or enthusiasm, needing to slow down or speed up, being ready to protect or defend yourself, and feeling at home wherever you go.

If slugs feature in your dream, this can suggest any of the following: that you are lacking in energy or vitality, functioning below par, being unenthusiastic or making slow but steady progress. They could also suggest a devious, unmannered or deceitful person, a slug or slime ball, that you are feeling vulnerable, or that you or someone else is being spineless and is acting in a cowardly manner.

Octopuses have numerous tentacles that operate independently, so could your unconscious have been commenting on your multitasking ability? As a sea creature, the octopus carries the energy of emotion and the many ways to hold or connect. In their positive form, these creatures reflect emotional depth and the ability to direct your energy in many directions without losing your center. A dream octopus may therefore suggest successful business deals or any other project involving much multitasking. It may also be associated with a person or situation that has many ways of holding or affecting you, such as a mother or a debt.

If a squid squirted a cloud of black ink in your face in your dream, could this be indicating that emotional conflicts are being obscured rather than confronted? [1]

What Do You Think About This Dream?

Sources and Authors

  1. The Element Encyclopedia by Theresa Cheung [Back to dream]

What does MOLLUSK / OCTOPUS / SHELLFISH / SNAIL mean in a dream?


If a shelled mollusk, such as a scallop or cowry, caught your eye in your dream, this may suggest female sexuality. Dream shellfish—in the same manner as the crustaceans—represent the...

Learn more about the meaning of Mollusk / Octopus / Shellfish / Snail

The octopus is the ultimate symbol of flexibility and adaptability. We must add to this the ability to maneuver in the realm of the unconscious, as an octopus’s habitat is...

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Symbol: The snail is a symbol of resurrection and also virginity. Vision: Seeing a snail: your mono should be “slowly but surely”! A snail retreating into its shell: you expect...

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1- The snail appearing in dreams may engender a feeling of repulsion in some people. It docs, however, also represent vulnerability and slowness.2- From a psychological point of view, the...

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Our vulnerable feelings or huns which hide be­hind a defensive shell, perhaps of shyness, introversion or withdrawal—could be anger.See also crab; shell; snail; ex­ample of the unofficial Christ in Christ...

Learn more about the meaning of Tortoise

lucky numbers: 02-07-33-35-40-44abalone, eating: unusual experience with envious acquaintances. clean, a: wil go into bankruptcy if you cook the books. crawfish, a: in meeting deceit, retreat, regroup and engage in...

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You can anticipate a comfortable old age if you dreamed of this marine mollusk.

Learn more about the meaning of Barnacles

The shell of bnttle emotions we guard ourself with, grasping or hurtful attitudes. Being nipped by crab: physical or psychosomatic pain or even illness caused by being too tight or...

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Spiritually a shell is a miniature representation of the process of life and death. You might also like to consult the entry for snail as well as the information for...

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To dream of a snail implies that you are easily riled up or upset. You shouldn’t allow yourself to get annoyed so easily. You want to express your individuality, but...

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Multitasking or coordination.Overwhelm.Feeling “consumed” by something (an activity, relationship, etc.).Invisibility.Hiding as a self-defense, or knowing when it’s advantageous to be seen and when it’s not.Vision or ability to see or...

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A caravan that is static will represent temporary security on a small scale, being similar in meaning to hotel.A moveable caravan or motor home will have the same symbolism as...

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Material aspects: Any shelter signifies protection. We are all aware of the need for a safe space, and this symbolism comes across in dreams quite strongly.The images used could be...

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The zip code system is designed to catalog and organize an enormous amount of data.If a dream features this as a prominent image, the need to codify your sense of...

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(1) A sea shell, owing to its resemblance to the vagina and its association with the-sea, is a feminine symbol. As such it may represent your mother or your mother-attachment;...

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Your dream includes some sort of communication, perhaps something you anticipate hearing about. Our relationship to postal mail has changed greatly since the advent of e-mail.It is now considered so...

Learn more about the meaning of Mail

Universal Landscape: Connection to important communication.Dreaming Lens: Was the mail carrier delivering mail in your dream? Was the mail delivered to your home? What was the gender of the mail...

Learn more about the meaning of Mail Carrier

lucky numbers: 11-13-30-39-48-50angry: your wrath is difficult to restrain. another’s: are a mirror of their emotions toward you. baboons: a fleeting rise in status, try to maintain it. beast, talking...

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What did you dream of last night? What did you see and whathappened in those dreams? Convert your dreams into Lucky Numbers to take on this weeks draws, they could...

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A to Z Dream Interpretation