Alligators are powerful, cunning creatures that symbolize good fortune, wisdom, and the innate ability to sense extreme danger.
The ancestors of present-day alligators were first born during the Cretaceous period, which started around 145 million years ago, and not much has evolved since then.
The alligators found in the prehistoric period were humongous reptiles around 30 to 35 feet in length and weight about 8000 pounds on average.
Dreaming about crocodiles has multiple interpretations. It can point to your deteriorating financial situation indicating that you need to work towards improving it. However, in some cases, it could also symbolize deception and betrayal from your close circle of friends or relatives who you readily bank on in your life.
Alligators in dreams also represent foresight. Dreaming about alligators could also offer you an insight into what your future has in store for you and warn you about potential dangers that might befall you soon.
Several legends are associated with alligators, such as one American folktale about an alligator and a rabbit in which the rabbit deceives the alligator to accompany him to a farm. The cunning rabbit later sets the field on fire, scorching the alligator’s skin until the end of time.
However, alligators are also known to be extremely sharp-witted predators that can stealthily attack their prey even before they are aware of it.
Popular Mythologies and the Different Alligator Dream Meanings
Now let’s see more such stories across different mythologies and their meanings.
Native American Mythology
There are two interesting alligator legends according to Native American mythology. It is believed that the alligator with burnt skin decided to seek revenge and planned a plot along with fellow alligators in the water.
They aligned themselves to one another along their lengths, tail to snout, in order to build a makeshift bridge over the water for the rabbit to cross. The rabbit thought of this as a goodwill gesture done by the alligator for him to easily pass the bridge. He starts hopping on the backs of the alligators one by one to reach the other end of the swamp. As soon as he reaches the last alligator, his tail gets bitten off before he jumps back on land.
This story also conveys a valuable message saying that overconfidence or the foolishness symbolized by the rabbit can ruin you in life.
Mayan Mythology
A river adjacent to a Mayan site called Lamanai was believed to have alligators 1000 years ago. Several ceramic figurines of alligators were dug up at the excavation site.
Olmec – the Pre-Mayan people, also revered alligators. The reptile is represented in several of its art forms.
Egyptian Mythology
In ancient Egypt, an alligator was one of the chief animal deities. They were believed to be cults in the Temple of Sobek, where alligators were mummified. These were either those killed for the process of mummification. Or there were some that died due to old age. Sobek was an Egyptian god that had the head of an alligator. Alligators were even held captive and widely bred during the Graeco-Roman period of ancient Egypt.
Hindu Mythology
According to Hindu mythology, dreaming about alligators is considered to be a bad omen. It is believed that it is a warning indicating a future danger from certain evil or negative people who might be planning to disrupt your life.
Seeing a dead alligator, however, is a good omen symbolizing victory over your enemies. It is also believed that possessing alligator skin brings immense wealth and good fortune.
In some places of India, alligators are respected reptiles of worship. A temple is exclusively protected by an alligator who only consumes vegetarian food, which is unusual in the case of predators like alligators and crocodiles. It’s believed that a British soldier once murdered an alligator living by the pond near the temple. Later karma served him as he died due to a snake bite.
Another celebrated alligator in India is known to have lived for about 130 years. The death of the alligator was followed by a ritualistic mourning period wherein no meals were cooked as a mark of respect to the alligator.
In Hindu traditions, the alligator is the vehicle of the goddess Ganga who depicts the river Ganges and the god of the sea named Varun.
Meaning According to Islamic Beliefs
According to Islamic belief, seeing an alligator in a dream indicates depression, sadness, offensiveness, sins, and engaging in fraudulent activities or deceiving others to earn money.
In Islam, if you dream about being dragged into the water by an alligator. It symbolizes that a stronger, more dominating person is forcing you into doing something you hate and going against your will. If you dream about an alligator pulling or taking you out of the water means you have succeeded in bravely suppressing your opponents. It represents a thumping win or victory against your enemies or oppressors in real life.
Different Types of Alligator Dreams
Your not-so-apparent fears and massive insecurity might be the reasons why you see alligators in your dreams on and off. It also represents your internal thoughts wherein you doubt your capabilities. Let’s see some more specific scenario-based alligator dream interpretations.
Dreaming of an Alligator Chasing you
If you see a dream in which an alligator is chasing you. It signifies excessive fear and distress that can bring a lot of unease in your life. It also means that you are trying to run away from your apprehensions and responsibilities instead of facing them.
Dreaming About an Alligator in the Water
If you dream of yourself in water amidst an alligator around you, it represents massive discomfort. If you’re dreaming of being in water surrounded by a bunch of alligators, it may also mean that you feel extremely threatened by an unknown force. And you are scared because you cannot figure a way out of this trouble. You feel intimidated. So, the ideal way to go about this situation is to take charge and show up in life instead of crumbling under pressure.
Dreaming About an Alligator Attacking other People
If you dream about alligators attacking people from your closest circle. It means that you are living with this constant fear of losing them. However, if you see an alligator attacking an unknown person who you do not know or are not aware of.
It indicates that it is the right time for you to reconsider your decisions, change the status quo and move out of your comfort zone to excel in life. The next move you take could be anything to improve the different aspects of your life, from relationships to professional life.
Dreaming About an Alligator Biting you
If you dream about an alligator biting you. It means you are trying to reach a challenging goal, but you should never give up. This dream signifies that you are a confused soul right now. And it cues you to focus again to pick up your derailed thoughts lying all over the place. This is a message to avoid distractions and get rid of all the unnecessary perceptions in your head that take you farther away from your actual goals.
This dream might also represent that your routine is haywire. The dream, in a way, is telling you that you need to dedicate some quality time to fix your daily timetable. And bring your life back on track with better focus.
Dreaming About an Alligator in the House
Dreaming of an alligator in the house represents the presence of a very dominant enemy that is way stronger than you. Another meaning signifies that somebody is about to betray you, and you need to be very careful. If you dream about being chased by an alligator in your house. It is a premonition indicating caution. It tells you that some major trouble is about to affect your life which will be hard to resolve.
Dreaming About an Alligator Opening its Jaw
If an alligator welcomes you in your dream with its monstrous jaws wide open. It represents that you are unable to make significant progress in life. Your life seems stuck, and you feel like you are unable to make any good move to make it better. Imagine a situation in life wherein you feel lost and helpless. And there is nothing special to look forward to. Or there is nothing you can do about it.
Visualize dreaming about the open jaws of an alligator and think about getting swallowed by it! How would you feel? Restricted? Yes, take that message and apply it to real life. That is exactly what this dream represents. It is a reflection of your negative thoughts that prevent further growth in your life.
Verdict
Alligators are creatures with dream meanings across both sides of the spectrum. Therefore, their symbolism is slightly complicated. And can have varying connotations. However, these commonly observed dream interpretations should help you connect with your subconscious. This way, you could unearth the actual causes of why you see alligators in your dreams quite often.
The idea is to understand the origin of your dreams and connect them to your inner thoughts as well as real-life situations. And eventually, make an effort to improve your life in a well-rounded way by taking key lessons from your dream scenarios.
