Dreaming of Fish: Meaning
Fish live in water, and water in dreams is feeling, so fish are usually about what is moving beneath the surface of your emotions. They are also an old sign of abundance and, in many families, of pregnancy.
What the dream usually means
A fish swimming in clear water often shows feelings or ideas that are healthy and moving well. Catching a fish can mean you have grasped an insight about yourself, or that luck and money are coming your way. That is why so many traditions treat fish dreams as lucky.
In my grandmother's family it was said that a fish dream meant someone was expecting, and plenty of my clients have dreamed of fish just before or during a pregnancy. It is a lovely symbol, but it is not proof. More often a fish is a new idea, a creative project or a part of you that is starting to grow.
Common versions of this dream
- Catching a fish. You are about to gain something, an insight, an offer or some extra money.
- A dead fish. A feeling or opportunity that has gone stale. Time to let it go.
- A fish out of water. You feel out of place, perhaps in a new job or a new circle.
- A huge fish. A big emotion or a big opportunity, depending on whether it frightens or delights you.
If you keep having this dream
Recurring fish dreams usually come when you are emotionally full: with love, worry or creative ideas. Pay attention to the water each time. As it clears, so do your feelings, and the dreams often change with it.
What it can mean in love
In love, fish can stand for emotional depth and fertility, and they often appear when a couple starts talking about children or a home together. Two fish swimming together suggest a relationship that feels easy and close. Slippery fish you cannot hold may mean feelings you cannot quite pin down.
What it can mean at work
At work, fish often mean opportunity. A good catch suggests a successful pitch or a raise. A net full of fish can point to more work than you can handle, so share it out.
Questions about this dream
Does dreaming of fish mean pregnancy?
It is an old folk belief and many people find it comes true for them, but the dream is not proof of pregnancy. It can also mean new beginnings.
Is dreaming of fish good luck?
In many cultures, yes. Fish are linked with abundance, money and good fortune.
What does a fish tank mean in a dream?
Feelings kept on display but contained. You may be holding back your real emotions.
What does it mean to dream of eating fish?
Often that you are taking in new knowledge or emotional nourishment. In some traditions it is also a sign of good health and of a comfortable time ahead at home.