Like other dreams, dreaming about rats may reflect either a negative or positive outcome in your waking life. Understanding what the dream means can help you find clarity on your current life situation and any major decisions you need to make.
What You'll Learn Today
What’s The Spiritual Meaning of Rats in Dreams?
First, it is important to take notice of your circumstances within the dream. Pay attention to how the dream made you feel. If rats frighten you, it will have a different meaning than if you have a positive outlook of the animal.
Despite their association with filth, diseases and thievery, rats are actually intelligent, adaptable and extremely resourceful. As with most dreams, it’s all a matter of belief. Trust your intuition and gut feeling to understand the message.
Dreams of rats can be interpreted from a spiritual, physical or cultural point of view. They may imply warning, guidance or information that you need to know about your life.
Here’s a look at some common rat dreams and their meanings:
1. Dreams of rats running away
Dreaming of rats running away is a symbol of losing faith, anxiety and a subconscious projection of your fears.
On a spiritual level, this may mean that you are running away from issues that you need to address. You might be anxious about making certain decisions that you are faced with.
You are afraid that despite confronting your problems, they may be persistent and evasive much like rats scatter and hide.
But remember, the rat is also adaptable. No matter the outcome of the impending events, you can survive tough times. Do what needs to be done.
2. Killing rats in dreams
While it may be a natural reaction to want to rid your space of rats, death-related dreams may be perceived as a bad omen. In fact, some cultures consider it very bad luck killing a rat.
However, there’s no need to worry if you dream of killing a rat. It could portend a positive transition or a new beginning in your life.
This dream is a symbolic end to a close relationship, a situation in your life or spiritual victory over your enemies. Killing one might mean that you are opening your heart to new opportunities and abundance in your life.
This is a divine sign that times are changing and so should you. The deeper meaning of this dream is that you need to let go of your past.
3. Dreams about rats in your house
One of the most obvious associations with rats is dirt. They are attracted to filthy environments where they have easy access to food and warmth.
Dreaming of rats in your house may mean that you feel unclean in a spiritual sense. You may be suffering from low self-esteem or enduring toxic behavior from the people close to you.
Rats are naturally sociable animals. Dreaming of them in your house means that you need to examine your social circles.
This dream is encouraging you to de-clutter. You’ll likely go through a period of spiritual purging. It’s time to tidy up your environment, both internally and externally.
4. Dreams about rats chasing you
In the spiritual realm, rats are seen as a link between this world and another. Dreaming about rats chasing you may indicate that you might have an unfinished business with your loved one who is no longer in this world.
It could also mean that guilt is weighing you down. Your disloyalties, past choices or secrets are haunting you.
This dream calls on you to trust your intelligence in the face of adversity. Your subconscious is also reminding you that you are a pure soul. Let integrity be your guiding and supportive force.
5. Dreams of rats attacking you
Rats are considered to be relatively harmless to humans, unless they are plagued with diseases. In that case, they may spread bacteria that could possibly lead to fatal illness.
From a spiritual perspective, dreaming of rats attacking you is an important warning to be mindful of your mental energy.
This dream is symbolic of struggles with mental health, deep-rooted trauma or betrayal.
Having this dream is a sign that you need to focus on your life issues that you have been neglecting. Though they may seem unimportant at the moment, but left unchecked, like rats, they will multiply and infest other aspects of your life.
It’s a great time to incorporate both spiritual and physical self-care to your routine. You need higher guidance to brave the next phase of your life.
6. Dreams with rats of different colors
The color of the rat in your dreams modifies the meaning of the dream. The lighter coloured ones may be a positive sign while the darker signify doom. Nonetheless, this could vary depending on your beliefs.
Here are some of the common colors and their meanings:
- White rats: They represent righteousness, hope, spiritual strength and abundance. They indicate resilience and new beginnings.
- Black rats: In a spiritual sense, black rats signify negative emotions like aggression, sin, infidelity and betrayal. They are deeply associated with demonic presence and death.
- Brown rats: Brown rats in dreams usually represent physical well being. They reflect your body image, health and fertility. Being the color of earth also indicates concern with your roots – home, family or relationship with self.
- Rats with red eyes: In case you encounter a rat with red eyes in your dreams, it may indicate something intense. It is a sign of anger, violence and spiritual war. You should also be concerned about your finances and be prepared for a string of bad luck.
- Rats with green eyes: Rats with green eyes in your dreams represent prosperity and growth. Anticipate a boost of your self-esteem. They could also serve as a warning against envy and pride.
Looking for more dreams about animals? Here’s our guide to crocodiles and their spiritual meaning in dreams.