Dream symbols: Parts of the body and what they mean

The biblical symbolism of head, shoulders, eyes, nose, mouth, arms, hands, legs, feet, and other parts of the body in night dreams, plus real dream examples.

We’ve all had dreams which feature different parts of the body – but have you ever thought about their significance?

Why was something in my hand, or on my leg, for example?

This article explores the most common meanings of different parts of the body – with biblical references – and pointers so you can interpret them in your own dreams.

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.

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 the body as a dream symbol

Parts of the body are important in dreams, but often overlooked when interpreting the symbols. It is worth paying attention to the details.

Any part of the body can usually be interpreted by thinking about:

• It’s function (i.e., what we do with it).
• The main underlying organs which are in that area.

The physical function usually symbolizes our spiritual/life journey in some way. For example, we use our head to think (it contains our brain), so it can be used in dreams to represent our mind, thinking, or understanding.

Parts of the body usually link symbolically to corresponding actions, roles, and functions.

Most of the time, when we dream about our body, it is telling us something about our own life and journey.

It is possible we could be dreaming about another person and the part of their body could relate to the life of the person they represent, or they could symbolise a group of people such as a church – but those scenarios are less common.

The bible describes the church as a body, with the different parts of the body corresponding to different roles people play. This image can sometimes play out in a dream. Plus, this illustration can help us grasp the way parts of the body can be symbolic of different functions and activities:

• Romans 12:4-6, NASB For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 
• 1 Corinthians 12:17-19, NASB If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.

The meaning of different types of clothes in dreams is also closely linked to the part of the body we wear them on. I have previously written more extensively about clothes.

Dream dictionary: Parts of the body

In this section there are some potential dream meanings of commonly occurring parts of the body. It is not exhaustive – but will hopefully give you a starting point and help you think metaphorically.

In addition to the ideas shared, the following pointers can help:

• Dreams are personal, so these ideas might not apply to your specific dream.
• Also watch out for wordplays on the different body parts (e.g. a Head brand item could be about our ‘head’ – i.e. our mind and thinking.
• Consider whether the symbol is being used in a positive or negative context.
• These symbols can also feature in everyday life, so pay attention – for example, if you go deaf, lose your glasses (eyes), or break a leg in real life, God can be speaking through those things.

In addition to thinking about which part of the body features in a dream, it is also worth thinking about which side of the body is involved.

• The right-hand side usually represents something we can do right now or will happen within the next few months or year. For example, our right leg could be about something we are called to do (walk in) now, or soon.
• The left-hand side usually represents something in our destiny; it is still in our future (at least a year or so away) and we will probably have to go through a process/journey with God to get there. For example, being deaf in our left ear could mean we need to listen to God more carefully about our future, because we are not hearing him right about it yet – or we may have to adjust our thinking about it at some point in the future.

• The front of our body might represent the future, depending on the context.
• The back of our body might represent the past, also depending on the context.

This is a long article with lots of examples! It’s worth a read if you can, to prepare you for interpreting future dreams. But if you are in a hurry, you can scroll down to the part you are interested in.

Dream symbol: Head

The head contains our brain, so in dreams it usually links to our mind, intellect, thinking or understanding.

• In a positive context it can mean we have godly thinking and understanding.
• In a negative context it can mean that our thinking is faulty, or we are believing a lie. It could be about a stronghold of the mind.

If the person in the dream represents a group or organization, the head could be the leader, for example Christ is described as head of the church.

• Colossians 1:18, NASB He [Jesus] is also the head of the body, the church.

Real dream examples: Head

Dream	Interpretation	Notes
I dreamed I was about to give birth to a blue-eyed baby, and the head was showing.	I was about to make a shift in thinking because of some heavenly revelation.	Blue is often revelation. The head (thinking) was positive, so the baby was new understanding.
I dreamed I found a man’s head locked up in a tower. It was still alive, and it was horrible.	I had a stronghold of the mind (i.e. a lie that I believed) that God wanted to set me free from.	This was a negative context of a head. A tower is a classic symbol of a stronghold.
I dreamed I saw a guillotine suddenly come down and chop off a ladies’ head. I was helping the other people around.	The leader of an organization I was involved in would suddenly be removed and I’d have to help people. This did happen.	A lady can be used to represent a church or group of people. The head was the leader in this dream.

Dream symbol: Hair

Hair is found on the head and is often used in dreams in a similar way to the head, i.e. to represent our thinking or understanding. Even hair that is not on our head can also represent our understanding!

• Long hair could be thinking we have had for a long time.
• Getting a haircut or visiting the hairdresser could be about adjusting our thinking.
• Washing hair could be about repentance (changing our thinking).
• Drying hair could be us taking time to process new ideas.
• Straightening hair could be getting our thoughts straight.

Hair colour can be important: It could tie in with the thinking aspect to give the meaning, or it might be the main thing in itself. For example:

• A white-haired person could be the Holy Spirit (positive) or a religious spirit (negative).
• Brown hair could be humility (positive) or human/natural thinking (as opposed to heavenly).
• Grey hair can be about spiritual maturity (positive), or uncertainty (negative).

In the bible, hair can also represent covering (1 Cor 11:5), or strength/anointing (Judges 16:17).

Real dream examples: Hair

Dream	Interpretation	Notes
I dreamed there was a wedding and the bride came in with lights in her hair.	I was about to realise some truths because of my relationship with God.	Lights can be understanding, as can hair. A wedding can be agreeing with an idea plus intimacy with God.
I dreamed I found a load of horrible purple bugs in my hair.	I had some wrong thinking about authority that God wanted to change.	Purple often symbolizes authority, and hair was thinking.
I dreamed it was time for my hairdresser appointment and I would need to spend the day with it in rollers afterwards.	God was about to shift my thinking in an area, and it would take me the rest of the year to process it.	A day can be a year. Hair in rollers was about processing the new idea (letting it go round in my head).

Dream symbol: Face and forehead

Biblically, the face can reflect the whole person. We can understand this in a general sense because someone’s face often reflects their personality, feelings, and character – through their expressions.

• Genesis 4:7, NASB If you do well, will your face not be cheerful? 

The appearance of someone’s face in a dream can be revealing their inner feelings and character. We could also be gaining insight into our own condition if the person is reflecting us.

The face is also linked to relationship; we relate to one another through being open and face-to-face. When a face is hidden (e.g. wearing a mask), or turned away, it is private and we can’t see what is going on underneath.

God can appear as other people in our dreams. Seeking the face of God, in a biblical sense, is seeking his presence, and, in fact, the Hebrew word for “face” in the Old Testament is often translated “presence.” This could play out through the face of a person in our dreams.

• 1 Chronicles 16:11, NASB Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face continually.

Our face is the part of our body that we let other people see, so it could symbolize the public face of something.

The face is also at the front of our body. So, having something on our face in a dream could be about something in the future.

Facebook is a common dream symbol. It can be about any of the above meanings of the face, depending on the context: It could be revealing what’s in our heart (our heart displayed like a book). It might be about relationships and connections. But it could also be about our public face (what others can see, or what we want others to see).

Forehead: The forehead is generally symbolic of knowledge, understanding, and wisdom, as it is centre-front of the brain. An eye on the forehead can be about spiritual insight and wisdom (or false revelation/understanding in a negative context).

Real dream examples: Face

Dream	Interpretation	Notes
I dreamed I discovered I had shiny blue sequins stuck all over my face that someone had stuck there while I was doing other things.	This was an encouragement that I was starting to reflect heaven in my life and other people would begin to notice the difference.	Shiny blue was about reflecting heaven. My face represented my heart and character, but also what other people could see.
I dreamed I went to a school and met a child with a red weald on their face.	This was insight that someone I met had been hurt by leadership, hindering their current ability to open up.	Red can be leadership, and the weald represented hurt. It was on the face, so it was still hindering their relationships with others.
I dreamed I was saying I preferred Facebook to Twitter, so I hoped Facebook wasn’t phased out.	This was encouraging me to take time to listen to some people in a certain situation, not jump to conclusions about them.	Twitter was symbolic of hearsay. Facebook represented getting to know them properly, face-to-face.

Dream symbol: Eyes

Eyes in dreams are usually about spiritual sight and/or insight. For example, this could be:

• Prophetic insight and revelation.
• Seeing the way to go or what to do (i.e. having clear direction).
• Clarity of insight and understanding (seeing or realising the truth).
• The ability to see in the spirit (i.e. see into the spiritual realm).

Going to the optician, needing new glasses, or needing eyes drops, can all mean we need input from the Holy Spirit to help us see more clearly. If our eyes are closed, we might not want to see the truth!

• 2 Kings 6:17, NASB Then Elisha prayed and said, “Lord, please, open his eyes so that he may see.” And the Lord opened the servant’s eyes.
• Psalm 119:18, NASB Open my eyes, that I may behold wonderful things from Your Law.

The eye also speaks of what we are focused on – or looking at. Jesus said that if we are focused on natural things like wealth, we will be full of darkness. But if we focus on heavenly things then our whole body will be full of God’s light, and we will have all we need.

• Matthew 6:22, NASB “The eye is the lamp of the body; so then, if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light.”

The colour of eyes in dreams can be helpful with this:

• Blue eyes usually indicate that we are seeing with heavenly eyes or focused on heavenly things.
• Brown eyes could indicate that we are seeing with natural/human eyes or focused on earthly things.

Some negative dream symbols might mean that we’re not seeing (or understanding) clearly and need to seek God for clarity, for example:

• Broken glasses, needing new glasses, needing to go to the optician.
• Eyes closed, being blind, having a damaged eye, having something in our eye (Matthew 7:3).

The eyes are sometimes described as a window to the soul. So, looking into someone’s eyes in a dream could be about looking into their heart.

Real dream examples: Eyes

Dream	Interpretation	Notes
I dreamed I was finding it hard to open my eyes, but my dad was leading me around.	God would be guiding me through the coming dark times, so I would need to trust him without understanding.	My dad symbolized Father God. Not being able to see was about not having prophetic insight/direction at that time.
I dreamed my baby’s blue eye was scratched at birth and swelled up horribly, but was told it was normal and it would soon go down.	I was about to realise something; I would rush to some wrong conclusions initially while processing it then calm down again.	This did happen! The baby symbolized new heavenly revelation and understanding (baby=new, blue=heavenly).
I dreamed I found some useful eye guards to use while sunbathing. It was bright and positive.	I should be wise (guarded) about what I shared with others while processing the new things God was showing me.	Sunbathing was spending time with God. The eye guards were positive (if negative it might have meant resisting seeing what God was saying).
I dreamed I was getting married and would be looking into my husband’s eyes. I was going to wear the red heart necklace he gave me.	I was being called to spend some time out with God, during which I would get to see his true heart. This happened later that year.	My husband was God and the wedding was intimacy; looking into eyes was looking into his heart (confirmed by the heart necklace).

Dream symbol: Ears

Ears in dreams are usually about our spiritual hearing, i.e. listening to God, and our ability to hear his voice.

• Being deaf, covering our ears, or having blocked ears, could be about not hearing God clearly, or choosing not to listen!
• Having ears unblocked can be about being enabled to hear God’s voice (or the truth) clearly again – or needing to go back and listen to him again more carefully.

Ears could also be about what voice/source we are paying attention to, or what we are choosing to listen to.

• Isaiah 43:8, NASB Bring out the people who are blind, even though they have eyes, and those who are deaf, even though they have ears.

Earrings: Ears don’t generally have different shapes and colours (although anything is possible in a dream!), but earrings do. They are closely linked to ears and can take their place in our dreams. They normally about our spiritual hearing – and their colour is an important clue.

Real dream examples: Ears

Dream	Interpretation	Notes
I dreamed I gave my friend some long blue dangly earrings that I wouldn’t normally wear to match a blue necklace that she already had.	My long-time relationship with God – and not giving up on hearing his voice – would result in me receiving some unexpected heavenly revelation.	The friend was me. The long earrings were me choosing to listen to God over a long time, as was the neck (not giving up). Blue=heavenly revelation.
I dreamed my friend lost her earrings and we were looking for them. We thought we saw them, but they were fake plastic ones.	While seeking to hear from God I thought I had heard him correctly, but I hadn’t. This was a call to go back and listen again.	The friend was me; the fake earrings were something I had ‘heard’ or thought God was saying, but it wasn’t right.
I dreamed I was getting ready for my son’s hearing (as in court hearing) which was about to start.	I was about to go through an extended time of listening to God and hearing his voice in several areas.	My son was me. This was a wordplay. It was not about judgment-type hearing, it was about my hearing God.

Dream symbol: Nose

We use our noses to smell (perceive) things. The root of the Hebrew word ‘smell’ is ruach, which means breath, and is the same word that is used for the Holy Spirit.  

In a positive context, noses in dreams can be about discernment, and the ability to perceive/sense things. They can indicate being led by the Spirit.

In a negative context they can be about insensitivity or lack of discernment. For example, a broken or non-functional nose might be about insensitivity to the Holy Spirit, or resistance to being led by the Spirit (in bible times people and animals would sometimes be led by rings/hooks in the nose).

• Psalm 115:6, NASB They have noses, but they cannot smell [ruach].
• 2 Kings 19:28, NASB Because you rage against me… I will put my hook in your nose… and I will make you return by the way you came.

There are also many English idioms linked to the nose, plus cultural meanings. These could play out in a dream, for example:

• Being nosy is interfering with other people’s lives.
• To have your nose in the air and to look down your nose are about pride.
• To be led by the nose is to be controlled (in a negative context).
• To follow your nose is to follow your instincts (could symbolise being led by the Spirit).

Biblically, flared nostrils can symbolise anger (Psalm 18:8). A broken or bloody nose can also suggest we have been in a fight (it is often the first thing to break!), so depending on the dream context, a broken or bleeding nose might be about conflict, or being hurt or affected by something.

Dream symbols: Mouth, tongue, lips, and teeth

The mouth and associated parts in dreams can either be about things we take in (eat) or things that come out of our mouth (words and speech).

Anything connected to the mouth in general, the tongue, and the lips, is most commonly about our speech, words, our voice, and the things we say. This could be positive or negative, depending on the dream context.

• Psalm 51:15, NASB Lord, open my lips, so that my mouth may declare Your praise.
• Psalm 34:13, NASB Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.

Lipstick can link to the mouth, words, and speech, and is useful because the colour can give more insight. It could also have a negative, alluring connotation.

Teeth are more usually about our thinking. They relate to the things we take in (like ideas and concepts), and about understanding/processing (chewing over) that information. I have written more extensively about mouths and teeth.

Dream symbol: Neck

The main physical function of the neck is to support the head.

Therefore, symbolically, it can relate to things that support our current thinking – for example, ideologies, doctrines, or belief systems. These underlying beliefs could be positive or negative, depending on the context. In my dreams, this is what my neck usually means.

The neck symbolises the underlying belief system that supports our thinking.

In the bible, having a stiff or strong neck has been linked to stubbornness (Isaiah 48:4). In a positive context a long neck might be about perseverance (which is holding out for something in a good way).

In a negative context, something around our neck could be a burden, yoke, or hindrance (Jeremiah 30:8). In a positive context, a necklace or garland can be a symbol of honour and respect (Daniel 5:29).

Real dream examples: Neck

Dream	Interpretation	Notes
I dreamed my dad came to shoot me, but I leaned forward, and the bullet just missed the back of my neck. My husband affirmed I was OK.	Old/faulty beliefs would nearly be my downfall, but I would hear God and just manage to adjust my thinking and avoid the mistake.	The back of the neck was past beliefs. My dad was negative and represented false ideas I’d inherited. My husband was God here.
I dreamed my scarf was too big to wear on my neck.	My belief system would need to change to support my true calling.	My scarf, as a piece of clothing, represented my calling here.
I dreamed I was talking to a man from Liebusters. I had a horrible raw patch on the back of my neck below the hairline.	God wanted to set me free from a faulty belief I had inherited from the past.	The hairline aspect confirmed that the neck represented a belief that my thinking was currently based on.

Dream symbol: Shoulders

In the bible, shoulders were used for supporting and carrying things (Genesis 24:45). The High Priest had the names of the tribes of Israel on his shoulders as a symbol of ‘carrying’ them before the Lord (Exodus 28:12).

In a positive context, shoulders in dreams could be about government, which means carrying or ‘shouldering’ a responsibility for something.

• Isaiah 9:6, NIV …the government will be on his shoulders.

In a negative context, shoulders could be bearing responsibilities that we are not meant to carry. The dream could be to relieve us of our burdens.

• Psalm 81:6, NIV “I removed the burden from their shoulders.”

Real dream examples: Shoulders

Dream	Interpretation	Notes
I dreamed someone had discarded a black blanket, and I decided to wrap it around my shoulders for the journey.	In the future I would need to pick up a responsibility that someone else wouldn’t want to carry any more.	Black was mystery, so I wouldn’t know what role this dream was referring to for a while.
I dreamed I saw a ginger haired person whose funding had been removed, struggling on with bent shoulders.	Someone I knew was nobly persevering with an old responsibility, but it was time for them to move on and hand over.	Ginger (orange) was perseverance. Funding was favour. This was a negative context and about freeing them from a burden.

Dream symbol: Back

Our back is behind us, and in dreams it could symbolise things in the past (behind us).

Our back also contains the spine, which could represent something that provides structure, strength and support to a person or group of people; a broken back is pretty serious; a bad back is debilitating, and could represent something holding us back! Symbolically, the back can be used in a similar way to shoulders, for carrying or supporting something.

• Ezekiel 29:7, NIV When they leaned on you, you broke and their backs were wrenched.

Someone being on our back, is generally about them being persistent towards us. This could be in an encouraging/supportive way, as in being ‘behind’ someone or ‘backing’ them. Or it could be in a negative critical/harrassing way, depending on the dream context. This is a common meaning in my dreams.

If someone has their back to us, it is generally about turning away from relationship, maybe ignoring us abandoning us, or not being able to face us. It could also be us turning our back on something or someone!

• 1 Kings 14:9, NIV You have aroused my anger and turned your back on me.

Real dream examples: Back

Dream	Interpretation	Notes
I dreamed I was walking along and there were lots of baby alligators. I could feel them on my back! I got through them to where I was going.	I was going to go through a difficult time of being criticised for a while, but I would be fine and come through it OK.	The alligators represented verbal attack. They were babies, so couldn’t do any serious damage.
I dreamed someone was going through a dark narrow corridor and I was on their back to help them make it through.	I should encourage this person and get behind them, to help them make a difficult transition.	The corridor was a transition, and dark represented difficult times.

Dream symbols: Chest and breast

The chest (or breast as it is sometimes known) contains our heart as the most prominent organ.

When we talk about our ‘heart’, we generally mean the core substance of our personality, such as our motives and desires. The heart can also symbolise love and feelings. So, the condition of our chest in a dream can reflect our heart condition, or what’s on our heart.

Jesus talked about the Holy Spirit as living water flowing from within us. This can be seen as flowing from our chest, belly, or heart.

• John 7:38, NIV “Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”

Clothes such as tops and t-shirts, and jewellery such as a necklace/broach on our chest, can also be about our ‘heart’.

The chest is also at the front of the body, so could be about the future. Take notice of the language you use when you describe/record the dream. For example, do you say, ‘it was on my front’ (which could mean it is about the future), or ‘it was on my chest’ (which could be about the heart, etc.)?

Breasts are generally about nurturing, being a spiritual mum, and new (babies). They could be about providing spiritual input or teaching (milk).

• Isaiah 49:15, NIV Can a mother forget the baby at her breast?

Real dream examples: Chest

Dream	Interpretation	Notes
I dreamed I had a load of hairs on my chest, and everyone could see them over the top of my dress.	My thinking was starting to reflect God’s heart, and other people would be able to see the difference.	Hair is usually thinking, even when it is not on the head.
I dreamed water was pouring out of a bottle on my chest and going everywhere, all over the bathroom.	As I was increasingly moving in the flow of the Holy Spirit, it would change my thinking.	Water is usually the Holy Spirit. Bathrooms are mostly about repentance (changing thinking).
I dreamed I had no top on and was feeling exposed, but to my relief I discovered I had a white t-shirt on.	I had shared my heart and was feeling vulnerable as a result, but God was encouraging me that it had been the right thing to do.	Being naked was being vulnerable; it was my top/heart area. White was righteousness and the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 59:17).

Dream symbols: Arms, armpits, and elbows

Arms are mostly about doing things and being equipped (armed) for the task. Note whether it is the right or left arm (see earlier notes), and whether we as the dreamer are right or left-handed – as these things can influence the meaning.

An arm in a dream can symbolise our ability (strength and power) to do something – like a task, job or ministry. If the arm is too short (Numbers 11:23), broken (Jeremiah 48:25), feeble, or weak, we may not have the ability to do it.  Note, arm lengths of clothes can have a similar meaning.

• Proverbs 31:17, NIV She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.

In addition, the right arm can represent having heavenly authority to do things, as well as the power/ability.

• Isaiah 40:10, NIV The Sovereign Lord… rules with a mighty arm.

We also use our arms to reach out to people, to comfort them, and to embrace/hold things. These scenarios could appear in a dream. Plus, linking arms with someone in a dream can symbolise embracing something.

• Exodus 6:6, NIV I will redeem you with an outstretched arm.
• Song of Songs 8:3, NIV His left arm is under my head and his right arm embraces me.

Armpit: The armpit is our hidden underarm area, so in dreams it can represent things which support our ability to do things.

Underarm hair: Hair is usually about thinking, so underarm hair (in a positive context) could mean we have the understanding that enables us to do something. In a negative context, needing to shave could mean we need to get rid of unhelpful thinking which is hindering our ability. Smelly, hairy, or unpleasant armpits might also be us trying to do things in our own natural strength (works) rather than by the Spirit (grace).

Elbow: If the arms are about what we do, then the elbow could be about being flexible/adaptable in what we do, or in the way we do things.

Real dream examples: Arms

Dream	Interpretation	Notes
I dreamed twins were being born. One died, and the left arm got ripped off the other one. I rushed it to the surgeon to save it.	I was planning to start a blog, but I had got two ideas mixed up. My initial idea was meant for the future, so I should start with a different plan (this blog!) instead.	The babies were two potential blog projects, and the arms were what I had the ability to do. I had the experience to write about dreams, but my other idea was for the future (left).
I dreamed my right arm was suddenly and unexpectedly cut off, then soon afterwards it was stuck back on again.	I would suddenly have my authority removed in an area, but I should be at peace because it would be restored again.	The right arm was representing authority rather than right in a timing sense, as this was not fulfilled until many years later.
I dreamed a lady wanted help picking up her new baby. I said she could lift it up under the armpits but use her hands to support its head too, then she could rest the baby on her chest.	I would soon have a new leadership responsibility. I should first make sure people understood what to do and why, and then I could focus on caring and supporting them.	The armpits and head both linked to making sure everyone had understanding that would enable them to do what was necessary. Resting on my chest was about care and support.

Dream symbols: Hands and fingers

We use our hands for doing many different things. They can appear in dreams for a variety of reasons, and mostly the symbolism is obvious from the action being carried out. They could have personal or cultural meanings, such as sign language or gestures. Here are some of the things hands could generally represent:

Hands can symbolise work, and the things we do and make. This could be positive or negative, depending on what we have done. We may need to wash our hands, symbolising cleansing and forgiveness for what we’ve done, or washing our hands of the responsibility.

• Psalm 92:4, NIV I sing for joy at what your hands have done.
• Zechariah 8:9, NIV  Let your hands be strong so that the temple may be built. 

Holding things in our hands can symbolise things that we have, own, or possess, like favour, faith, authority, etc. Our right hand is things we have now, and our left hand is things we will have in the future.

• 1 Chronicles 29:12, NIV In your hands are strength and power…

Hands can symbolise practical help, serving, giving, receiving, fellowship, friendship, agreements (shaking hands), and various other aspects of relationships.

• Proverbs 31:20, NIV She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
• Acts 9:41, NIV He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. 

Hands can be used for prayer, worship, and celebration.

• Psalm 134:2, NIV Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord.
• Psalm 47:1, NIV Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.

Hands can be used for healing, commissioning, and impartation (such as laying on of hands).

• Matthew 8:15, NIV He touched her hand and the fever left her.
• Acts 13:3, NIV They placed their hands on them and sent them off.

Each individual finger can also have specific meanings in dreams. Here are some ideas:

• Thumb: Apostle, strength, ability to push through, approval/disapproval (thumbs up / thumbs down).
• First/index finger: Prophecy, direction (pointing), accusation (point the finger), judgement.
• Second/middle finger: Evangelism (reaches furthest).
• Third/ring finger: Pastor, love, or covenant/agreement (linked to the wedding ring).
• Fourth/little finger: Teacher.

Fingernails can give useful details, particularly if they are painted with nail varnish. The colour will be an important clue. The same goes for colours of rings.

Dream symbols: Legs, ankles, and knees

We use our legs to walk and go places, and legs in dreams are usually about our life journey and the ability to function. Trousers (pants in US) are the things we are ‘walking in’. Note the right and left aspect of legs (current vs future).

Walking in dreams is generally about making progress.

• If our legs are healthy, then we are generally able to do what is necessary to get to where we need to be.
• If our legs are broken, lame, injured, or damaged in a dream, it indicates that we are unable to function properly in the area that the dream is about. Needing a wheelchair or walking aid can mean we need the support of something to help us function.

Standing still in dreams, in a negative context, generally means we are not getting anywhere in that area of life – and the dream might contain clues as to why. Alternatively, standing still could be a positive thing, for example it could mean we are on solid foundations (e.g. standing on a rock), or standing our ground in the midst of difficult times.

• Proverbs 26:7, NIV Like the useless legs of one who is lame is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.

Length of legs in dreams can indicate the length of time we have been doing something. Long and short trousers can mean the same thing.

• Long legs (or being tall) can suggest we have been doing something for a long time. Tall people in dreams might also be angels or people with high spiritual stature, experience, or maturity.
• Short legs can suggest we haven’t been walking in something for very long. If we are too short, or our trousers are too short, maybe we need to grow/mature for a bit longer before we are able to do that thing.

Hairy legs: Hair in dreams is normally about understanding. So, it might mean we have the understanding we need to function (positive context), or rather we need to adjust wrong understanding (shave) in order to get anywhere.

Ankles: Ankles are closely connected to our legs and ability to walk/function. Often, they are the first part of our leg to fail on the journey, such as a sprained or twisted ankle. Therefore, they can represent the strength (or lack of strength) to do things or make progress.

• Psalm 18:36, NIV You provide a broad path for my feet, so that my ankles do not give way.

Knees: Within in the context of legs and our daily walk/ability to function, knees in dreams could be fear (knocking knees); weakness (weak knees); prayer, pleading, respect, humility, submission to God (down on knees); worshipping (bowing the knee) to God or idols.

Real dream examples: Legs

Dream	Interpretation	Notes
I dreamed I was waiting for something. I sat on a comfy sofa with the leg rest up.	This was a call to take time off what I was doing and to wait on God for a season.	The leg rest was positive and meant resting from what I was doing.
I dreamed Jesus pulled me over and showed me a lady with a false leg. He said it had been necessary to enable her to walk.	[I was about to realise I had some wrong thinking]. The dream explained that it had been necessary to get me to my current place.	The false leg was wrong thinking, but it had enabled me to function (walk) up to that point.

Dream symbol: Feet and toes

Feet and toes are used for walking and standing in a similar way to legs (see above notes), so in dreams they can be about our life journey, our ability to function, and the things we are called to ‘walk in’. Having healthy or secure feet can be about having the confidence/ability to proceed or stand firm.

• 2 Samuel 22:34, NIV He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he causes me to stand on the heights.

Something under our feet could represent something we can overcome or have authority over. The sole of our feet can also be about foundations (which are usually foundational beliefs or thinking).

• Psalm 47:3, NIV He subdued nations under us, peoples under our feet.

Washing feet: In bible times, feet picked up dirt from the road and they had to be washed. Symbolically, we can also pick up ‘dirt’ and baggage from our daily walk. So having dirty feet, or washing our feet, can be about dealing with the hurts, sin, and other issues that have affected us along the way – to bring cleansing and healing.

Getting up onto our feet, or putting shoes on, can be about getting ready/prepared for something. Shoes can be things we are called to ‘walk in’ such as a job, ministry, role, or an attribute like grace or the peace of God.

Having bare feet (no shoes on) could be about not having the means or position to do something. In a positive context it could be about humility, or not needing a particular role anymore.

Toenails: The colour of painted toenails can give us clues about the meaning of the feet or toes in our dream.

Dream	Interpretation	Notes
I dreamed we walked through the night as a test; a boy took his shoes off and had blisters all over his feet; he didn’t have proper walking shoes. We said he did well.	I would go through a testing time trying to function in the wrong role, which would cause me some hurt. But afterwards I would get a chance to recover.	The night was a difficult time and the boy reflected me. The wrong shoes indicated it was not the best role for me. Taking shoes off was stopping the role.
I dreamed my old shoes were disintegrating underneath, but I had new ones. I asked mum if she wanted to smell my feet.	My old foundation/belief was about to be challenged and be renewed. I must walk closely with the Holy Spirit.	The sole of my shoes was my foundational mindset. Smelling was about discerning truth from the Holy Spirit.

Conclusion

In this article we have explored the potential meanings of lots of different parts of the body, plus plenty of real dream examples. Hopefully they will springboard you into thinking metaphorically about their function, and what they could mean in your dreams.

Here are a few closing thoughts:

• Body parts in dreams 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 a body part means in a specific dream, so you could try asking Him!
• Consider the background atmosphere and real-life context of the dream to see whether the part of the body 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 finally… have fun exploring the different body parts in your dreams! If this article has helped you with a dream, please like this post or leave a comment below!