Dreams have been deeply intertwined with Thai beliefs for centuries, with many people believing that dreams are significant and connected to real-life events, sometimes even hinting at future occurrences. If we delve into the origins of these beliefs, we find that the idea of dreams stems from spiritual or religious beliefs, which hold that humans possess a soul. When we sleep, it’s believed that the soul leaves the body to engage in various activities, and what the soul experiences is what we call a “dream.”
According to ancient Thai beliefs, dreams are often seen as omens. One of the most interesting aspects is that when Thais talk about dreams, they frequently mention dreaming of snakes as one of the first things that comes to mind, linking it to love, soulmates, and true partners. This belief is not limited to Thailand; in many parts of the world, if someone dreams of an animal, snakes are often at the top of the list. However, in other countries, dreaming of snakes is not usually associated with love, as it is in Thailand. Instead, it’s often interpreted in the opposite way, symbolizing “change” or “rebirth.” In some cases, it may even serve as a warning of impending danger or indicate internal pressures that are about to surface. Whether dreaming of a snake is a good or bad omen depends entirely on how each individual interprets it.
Nevertheless, dreaming of a snake does not always mean you will meet your soulmate. According to ancient Thai beliefs, for a dream about a snake to indicate a soulmate, the snake must be wrapping itself around you or chasing you to do so—not biting or pressing on you. Moreover, the snake must make direct contact with your body, whether it’s coiling around you, trying to wrap around your hands, arms, or legs. The higher on the body the snake wraps, the more prosperous your partner is believed to be. However, if the snake is just lying still and doesn’t touch your body, it’s not considered an omen for meeting your soulmate. Dreaming of a snake coiling around you is considered a good dream, signaling that you will soon meet your soulmate or someone you are fond of. On the other hand, if you’re frantically running away from the snake in your dream, it suggests that deep down, you’re not yet ready for love and might even be afraid of it.
Interestingly, there is no evidence that other countries hold the belief that dreaming of a snake wrapping around you signals the arrival of a soulmate, as it is commonly believed in Thailand. The only connection between the interpretation of snake dreams in Thai and global beliefs is that dreaming of a snake coiling around you can be understood as feeling overwhelmed by certain emotions from someone about to enter your life. This can be a sign of deep passion and desire within, with love being one of those feelings, but it can also include fear or anxiety.
In our next article, Slip to Sleep: About Dreaming will help interpret other types of dreams. Stay tuned, as dreams remain one of the brain’s most mysterious mechanisms, with answers yet to be found. We’ll explore these questions together!
