Dream symbols: Snow and ice – and what they mean

The spiritual symbolism of snow and ice in dreams, what they mean in practice, with real dream examples.

Have you ever wondered what snow or ice mean as dream symbols?

In this article we will take inspiration from the bible to investigate the spiritual meaning of snow – and icy/frozen environments – in dreams, and what that means for us in practical terms.

We will explore their 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.

If you have just come across this post and are new to dream interpretation, you might find it helpful to see my free ultimate guide to Interpreting dreams from God.

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 article: Understand your dreams: A bible-based introduction to dream language. Plus, see my FREE ultimate guide to Interpreting Dreams from God.

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 snow and ice in dreams

Have you ever dreamed of snow and ice? Maybe you were struggling to make progress because of snow or ice on the road, watching a peaceful snowy scene, or whizzing along on skis or skates? There is wide variation in potential snowy scenarios!

The meaning of snow and ice can vary according to where we live geographically: Snow in a hot country would be out of place and notable, but snow in a cold climate might simply be part of everyday life.

• Proverbs 26:1, NASB Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest, So honor is not fitting for a fool.

So, sometimes the activity we are doing in the snow is more important than the snow itself. For example, if skiing, ice skating, or travelling through snow are normal activities for us, the events that happen on the journey are probably more important than the snow or ice (see Cars and vehicles in dreams for more about journeys and travelling in dreams).

Ask yourself whether snow is normal for you – and whether the snow was the most important thing or just a natural setting for the activity.

As with any dream symbol, snow and ice 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 them in a positive or negative way

So, let’s unpack what snow and ice could mean in our dreams!

Snow as the colour white

The bible often uses snow as a visual image of the colour white. For example, leprosy is described as being white like snow.

• Exodus 4:6, NASB …his hand was leprous like snow.

So, the symbolism of snow in our dreams can link to the meaning of the colour white. For example, a snowy landscape is white.

Snow as cleansing and purity

Spiritually speaking, white snow can represent purity, godliness, holiness and righteousness (being right before God). This comes from the image of washing something so clean and spotless that it is sparkling white – without any stains or imperfections!

Being forgiven and cleansed is like becoming white like snow:

• Isaiah 1:18, NASB Though your sins are as scarlet, they shall become as white as snow.

In fact, being spiritually clean is like being whiter than snow, because it goes beyond natural whiteness!

• Psalm 51:7, NASB Cleanse me, and I will be whiter than snow…
• Lamentations 4:7, NASB Her consecrated ones were purer than snow…

It is no wonder that God and his heavenly angels are described as being white as snow or having clothes that are white as snow. God is essentially holy and righteous in his very nature!

• Daniel 7:9, NASB And the Ancient of Days took His seat; His garment was white as snow…
• Revelation 1:14, NASB His head and His hair were white… like snow…

This is a positive use of the colour white. So, for example, if we saw a beautiful, sparkling, snowy landscape it could mean God’s cleansing or forgiveness covering a situation.

If we were walking in snow and it felt good and bright, it could mean walking/acting in a right and godly manner.

Snow and ice as religion

In a negative context white represents a religious spirit or atmosphere, which is something that has the appearance of being of God – but actually isn’t.

Therefore, a snowy or icy/frozen landscape in a dream could represent a religious atmosphere. The clue is in the feeling of the scene; the landscape feels harsh, bleak, or cold.

I find in my own dreams that that ice is the symbol that most commonly represents religion. Water represents the Holy Spirit, so when that water is frozen, the Holy Spirit is not moving!

Snow as blessings from heaven

Snow is similar to rain in the sense that it comes down from above, and so can be used to symbolise something being released from heaven.

Rain is usually the Holy Spirit (see water). Snow is different in that it is white coloured, more peaceful/gentle in its descent, and produces a white covering on the land.

• Job 37:6, NASB For to the snow He says, ‘Fall on the earth,’…
• Isaiah 55:10, NASB For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there without watering the earth and making it produce and sprout, and providing seed to the sower and bread to the eater…

Snow falling in a positive context could represent many things, like peace, forgiveness, covering of sins, gentle cleansing, and God’s word being released.

It can represent revelation being released over time (it slowly falls from heaven and builds up gradually until suddenly everything looks different). This could be a truth that takes time to register in our minds (like something icy/frozen gradually defrosting).

Snow as difficult circumstances

Snowy conditions can make life difficult, whether that is by blocking progress or through the cold temperature.

Here are a few bible verses about times when snow made life difficult:

• 2 Samuel 23:20, NASB He also went down and killed a lion…on a snowy day.
• Psalm 68:14, NASB When the Almighty scattered the kings there, it was snowing…

So snow can generally symbolise difficult times, or times of hardship (no food growing).

Snow hindering progress

For many of us, snow and icy weather present us with a challenge. We must shovel our drives, scrape our car windows, and be prepared in case we get stuck in snow. In the UK we are not used to snow and ice – and hate having to drive in it!

I often dream that I am stuck in snow, and in this context the snow represents difficult circumstances that are blocking my progress or slowing me down.

This could have various purposes in a dream message, for example:

• Maybe our path is blocked – and we grind to a halt. This might mean we are trying to do something that we are not currently equipped to do, and the dream is alerting me of this fact so we can avoid vain effort or disappointment.
• Maybe in the dream a snow plough comes and clears the way – which might mean help is on the way.
• Maybe we are in a 4-wheel drive vehicle or have snow chains and are able to get through the snow. This could mean we are equipped to overcome our circumstances and should persevere!

Hopefully you can see that the dream action, atmosphere, and context are vital for interpreting these types of snowy/icy dreams.

Snow and ice as cold conditions

Snow and ice are also by nature cold! This also creates difficult or uncomfortable conditions – and could be used symbolically in that way in a dream.

Life is generally more difficult when it is cold and snowy. The dream context and action might tell us whether we are equipped for those conditions – and how we can respond.

• Proverbs 31:21, NASB She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed with scarlet…
• Psalm 147:17, NASB He hurls His ice as fragments; Who can stand before His cold?

Cold in relationships

Coldness can be symbolic of a relational environment.

• Frosty or icy can mean a cold and unwelcoming manner.
• Cold hearted (or hard-hearted like ice) – can mean no love or compassion.
• We talk about a cold reception to mean an unenthusiastic / unfriendly response or welcome.

This use of cold conditions in a dream can be very helpful – for example it can provide wisdom about when it’s time to be open (wear less clothes) or keep quiet (wear warm clothes!).

Conversely, snow melting – or a warmer climate – can represent a warmer environment relationally or someone becoming receptive.

Snow and ice as a winter season

Snow and ice can represent a winter season in our life – which could be a time where God seems far away, or we are not bearing much fruit.

Again, the context of the dream will tell us whether that is the intended meaning. Are we looking for signs of new growth or melting snow? There could be many potential dream scenarios revolving around snow and winter.

I love the illustration in the Narnia Chronicles, where the country was stuck in permanent winter and they were waiting for spring to come. That sums up the image of snowy conditions representing a winter season.

More snow-related dream symbols

Here are some more symbols relating to snow and ice, and some ideas about what they could mean. Please remember that dream symbols are personal, so they might not mean these things in your dreams. Hopefully they will spark off some ideas and help you think symbolically.

• Cold – Unfriendly or uncomfortable environment.
• Defrosting – If something needs defrosting (for example from the freezer) it might mean that it’s going to take some time for the truth to filter through enough for us to realise it!
• Frozen / in freezer – Stuck, or an idea that needs time to realise (when taken out to defrost). Plans and hopes can also be frozen (on hold) until the appointed time to take them out!
• Icebergs – Could be religious strongholds or unseen hazaards (much is below the surface).
• Iceskating – Able to navigate a religious or uncomfortable environment and rise above it, or moving in the power of God (if positive).
• Igloo or ice house – A religious organisation, idea, or structure (if negative).
• Skiing – Moving in the power of God, or acting in a religious way if negative.
• Snowflake – Could be something from heaven.
• Snowman – Either pure, godly person or religious person, depending on the context
• Snowball – Could be something escalating (snowballing). They can be thrown from afar like words – so could be godly impact or verbal/religious attack, depending on the context.
• Snowshoes – equipped to walk above the adverse conditions of a religious atmosphere or difficult circumstances.

Also look out for some wordplays, for example:

• Iceland – could be a religious environment if negative.
• Snowdon – could be a big religious stronghold (mountain) if negative.
• Mont Blanc is also big and snowy and can be used in a similar way – as can any snowy mountain.

Real dream examples

Dream	Meaning	Notes
I dreamed I found some fish defrosting in a shed. I looked over a wall and saw poeple from the Free Church singing, ‘Come, Lord Jesus, Come,’ and it was snowing peacefully.	Jesus was going to take me on a journey to change some wrong ways of thinking and bring freedom.	Fish can be revelation (defrosting = takes time to process), and snow was also revelation from heaven slowly and gently being released over time.
I dreamed I went into a large ice house, which had an unpleasant feeling about it.	This was revealing a religious environment / stronghold in my life that God was going to change (same issue as in the dream above but looking from the opposite angle.)	Discernment is heightened in dreams, so the unpleasant feeling indicated this was a religious stronghold (looks like God but isn’t).
I dreamed I took some time off work because it was snowing, and felt worried about it, but my timesheet was all balanced.	I would need to take some time out to listen to God – as he had some things to show me. I shouldn’t feel bad about spending that time with God.	Snowing was positive, and indicated God wanted to gently reveal some truths to me over time. I would need to take time out for it (I’d be snowed in!).
I dreamed I was driving and it started snowing. I had to slow down due to the conditions, and was eventually ushered off the motorway.	Things were going to get difficult in an area and I wouldn’t be able to keep going. But God was allowing it to get me to stop and listen and change direction.	The snow initially seemed negative; but being ushered off indicated that in this instance I wasn’t meant to keep going or try and push through.
I dreamed there was a dusting of snow, but I was given ice skates to skate over the snow.	Things would be difficult, but I would be able to successfully overcome and keep going in the situation.	Shoes are usually an ability to do something. In contrast to the above dream, this time I was meant to keep going.

How to respond to negative ice/snow dreams

If you are reading this article and seeking a biblical perspective on dream symbols, it is quite likely that you are part of a church or some other religions group – or have been in the past.

Therefore, it is also likely that you have some religious mindsets that are not from God, and he could be using your dreams to reveal them.

If you are dreaming of snow/ice, you might have some religious mindsets to overcome.

I write this humbly, as someone to has had to adjust my thinking many times over the years. God has used my dreams to set me free from numerous religious strongholds and ideas that were keeping me from living life to the full.

If we are dreaming of snow/ice in a negative contest, it is a good thing. It means that God is planning to set us free in some areas of thinking that have been holding us back, and he is inviting us to partner with him in tracking down the lies and overcoming them.

I believe that God is about to reveal and bring down some major strongholds and religious idols in the church, because I have noticed other people having dreams that indicate He is speaking to them about such things.

So, if you realise that God is speaking to you though your dreams, it is a good opportunity to talk to him about it and take ownership of the journey in your life: Express your desire to listen to him and be transformed in your thinking, and he will take you on a journey to freedom.

Conclusion

We have seen that snow and ice have many possible meanings in dreams, depending on the context and the action surrounding them.

• In a positive context, snow can represent cleansing and purity, and blessings from heaven – such as forgiveness, peace, and God’s word.
• In a negative context, snow and ice can represent a religious spirit/atmosphere, religious thinking, difficult circumstances, an unfriendly/uncomfortable environment, or a ‘winter’ life season,
• Some of the meanings relate to the colour white.

Here are a few closing thoughts:

• Snow and ice could represent any number of things. The above ideas should give you a good starting point. 
• I believe only God can tell us what the presence of snow or ice means in a specific dream, so you could try asking Him!
• Consider the atmosphere and context of the dream to see whether the symbol 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.

If you have just realised that God is speaking to you about religious thinking and environments in your life, make sure to talk to him about it – and he will take you on a journey to freedom. And please do get in touch, I would love to hear from you.

And finally… have fun exploring the snow and ice-related symbols in your dreams! If this article has helped you with a dream, please leave a comment below!

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