Dream symbols: The colour grey and what it means

Biblical symbolism of the colour grey in dreams, what that means in practice, with real dream examples.

Have you ever wondered what the colour grey means as a dream symbol?

In this article we will take inspiration from the bible to investigate the spiritual meaning of grey in dreams, and what that means for us in practical terms.

We will explore its meaning in positive and negative contexts, with some real dream examples too!

I approach dream interpretation from a biblical perspective. My belief is that our dreams can come from God, and understanding them is best understood within the context of an ongoing relationship with Him.

The symbolic nature of dreams

Firstly, if you have just come across this post and are new to dream interpretation, it is worth mentioning that dreams are symbolic in nature. You might find it helpful to read the following articles: Understand your dreams: A bible-based introduction to dream language and Beginner’s guide to biblical dream interpretation.

Secondly, remember that dreams are personal, so the meanings that I suggest may not apply to your specific dream. But please feel free to use my ideas as a springboard to thinking and praying about dreams yourself. Don’t take my ideas as gospel, but rather let them help you start to think metaphorically.

Introducing the colour grey!

Grey (or gray in US english) often feels negative or dreary – like the dull grey skies of winter. But it can be a fabulous colour too – particularly when set against the rest of the colours. Just think of grey squirrels, furry catkins, and the splendid grey bark of silver birch trees.

Grey is popular in decorating schemes because it is versatile and can be combined with almost any other colour. It can create a modern or sophisticated feel.

As with any dream symbol, each colour can potentially have both positive and negative meanings. The context, feeling and atmosphere of a dream will give us clues to help us determine whether to interpret it in a positive or negative way – so let’s unpack what it could mean in our dreams!

Meaning of grey: Maturity

Grey hair generally represents maturity, which comes from the symbolism of grey hair in old age. In western society old age can sometimes lack the respect it deserves, but in many cultures old age is associated with honour.

The bible illustrates some positive meanings of grey:

• Proverbs 16:31, NASB A gray head is a crown of glory; It is found in the way of righteousness.
• Proverbs 20:29, NASB The glory of young men is their strength, And the honor of old men is their grey hair.
• Isaiah 46:4, NASB Even to your old age I will be the same, and even to your greying years I will carry you!

These verses speak of a life lived out well – with God’s help – to a good age. Maturity and experience bring wisdom–and that is something we should respect!

What does this mean in my dream?

This use of grey in a dream does not necessarily mean that you are literally old in age – but that you have gained maturity, experience, and respect in the area of life that the dream is about.

Grey can represent experience and maturity in the area that that the dream is about.

This symbolism of grey could be in a dream as an encouragement – that you have become mature; or, alternatively, that you need to be patient and gain experience!

Examples of grey meaning experience or maturity

DREAM	INTERPRETATION	EXPLANATION
I dreamed I was watching the Starship Enterprise take off. It rose slowly in the air. Then it became covered in a grey shell – and whizzed off! I was amazed.	This dream was about a new thing I was about to start. I would need patience; it would take time to gain experience before it could really take off.	The Enterprise represented me – and my new enterprise. The grey shell represented needing to slowly build up experience at first.
I dreamed my son was booked in for a swimming lesson with a grey-haired man.	This dream was telling me I would need to take some sort of training course with someone who was more experienced than me.	My son was representing an area of my life. I didn’t know it at the time –  but later in the year I did start a training course.

Meaning of grey: Uncertainty

Grey can also symbolize uncertainty, confusion, or indecision; or when something is unknown or unclear.

This comes from the colour itself. Grey is a mixture of black and white – so grey is neither black nor white. It is neither one thing nor another. We sometimes talk about a grey area when something is unclear or we are not sure what the right thing is to do.

This grey feeling is like walking through mist or trying to see through clouds. All of these are scenarios which can appear in our dreams when we don’t know understand, or don’t know what to do.

Being undecided or uncertain can be an unpleasant place to be. As James says in his letter:

• James 1:6, TPT Being undecided makes you become like the rough seas driven and tossed by the wind. You’re up one minute and tossed down the next.

Grey as a prompt to seek God

Sometimes we are confused because we have been trying to figure things out ourselves, or we simply haven’t taken the time to listen to God. When we dream of grey in this context, it could be a prompt to seek God for clarity.

• James 4:2, NASB You do not have because you do not ask. 
• Matthew 7:8, TPT Every persistent seeker will discover what he longs for. And everyone who knocks persistently will one day find an open door.
• Psalm 119:105, NASB Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Grey advising us to trust God

God can use grey in a dream to encourage us to trust Him – even though we don’t understand why things are happening to us. Sometimes I have been deserately seeking answers – and I just needed to be at peace about my situation.

So God can use grey in dreams to help us be at peace in the midst of uncertainty.

• 2 Corinthians 5:7, NASB For we walk by faith, not by sight.
• Jeremiah 17:7, NIV Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.

What does this mean in my dream?

As we have seen, to be in a place of uncertainty and confusion is quite distressing. Do we press in for answers, or do we need to relax and trust God? These are opposite responses to the same situation, and the bible gives us examples of both at different times.

That is why we need personal communications from heaven – and that’s where dreams come in! God can use grey to show us the right way to respond in our particular situation. The context of the dream will indicate which it is.

Examples of grey meaning confusion or uncertainty

DREAM	INTERPRETATION	EXPLANATION
I dreamed I had drawn some architectural designs but when I showed my tutor they didn’t look so good. I stored them in a grey cupboard in a corridor to come back to in a few months.	I was seeking clarity and praying about various plans for the future. This dream was telling me to be content to wait. I should ask God about it again in a few months – when I would have more time.	The designs were my plans – which were not quite right. A corridor is a length of time. The grey cupboard was telling me to store up those ideas and be content with not knowing for a little while longer.
I dreamed I was rushing around in a house with showers everywhere. A man came in wearing a soft grey jumper. He was pleased to see me and I gave him a big hug.	This dream was during a time when I was trying to process a lot of new concepts. It was encouraging me to be at peace about my confusion and embrace the journey.	Showers represent cleansing and changing your thinking. The grey jumper was lovely – a positive context – indicating I should embrace this season of seeking understanding.
I dreamed I was looking for some shoes to wear, but I could only see some grey ones that were not mine. I keep looking until I found my gold sandals.	I was confused about what I should do next. This dream was encouraging me to seek God until I heard from Him and got clarity.	Shoes represent what we do. In contrast to the previous two dreams, this dream was telling me to pursue answers at that time.

More meanings of grey

Grey sky/clouds: This could just be stormy/difficult times. But grey skies could also be lack of clarity – and the corresponding need for heaven’s insight (which would be blue skies).

Elephants: These have other features that could affect their symbolism: They are big (representing big issues); they have long noses (meaning discernment); and they have long memories. They can represent an unspoken issue (the elephant in the room).

Stone or rock: Although these are grey in colour, they almost always refer to God, and good/solid foundations.

If you dream of objects that are naturally grey (such as elephants), it’s worth asking yourself the following question: Is it in the dream because it is grey (i.e. is grey the main point), or is it is there for another reason and it just happens to be grey?

Conclusion

Grey can represent maturity and experience, inspired by the colour of hair in old age.

Grey can also mean confusion and uncertainty. This comes from it being neither one thing nor another: neither black nor white. In a dream this could either be a prompt to seek God for clarity – or a call to be patient and trust God when you don’t understand.

If you are going through a time of uncertainty right now – here is a song of encouragement to lift your spirits:

Some closing thoughts:

• The colour grey in a dream could represent any number of things. The above ideas should give you a good starting point. 
• I believe that only God can tell us what the colour means in a specific dream, so you could try asking Him!
• Consider the atmosphere and context of the dream to see whether the colour is being used in a positive or negative sense.
• In addition to the meanings that I have shared, remember that it could mean something personal or culturally significant to you, that isn’t mentioned here.

And, of course, dreams themselves are a great way to hear from God and find understanding and clarity in times of uncertainty. They can help you discern the right way to respond in your situation.

Have fun interpreting those grey dreams! If this article has helped you interpret a dream, please leave a comment below!

I hope you have found this article helpful. If you want to know more, do subscribe to my emails below to receive regular dream interpretation tips.

The purpose of this blog is to provide solid biblical foundations for interpreting dreams, change mindsets in the church, and encourage others to make their own dream journey with God. I am primarily a writer and bible teacher – who loves dreams, and I hope you will be inspired to learn to interpret your own dreams.

It is not currently my aim to routinely engage in dream interpretations or provide training, except through writing blog posts. You can read my most up to date position on interpreting dreams here: Requests for dream interpretations.

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