By: Tania Harris
Houses are one of the most common symbols that appear in our dreams, but what do they mean?
Houses normally represent our life, and its rooms signify, the different parts of it. The symbol makes sense, given that our home is the vantage point for everything we experience in our lives. Hence, the appearance of houses and rooms in dream-visions will often point to what is happening in and around us – the good and the bad, and that which is seen and unseen.
So, when you see a house in a dream, ask:
Whose house is it? What state is it in? How many floors are there? Is the house being moved into or out of? Who is living in the house? Who should be living there and who shouldn’t be? What rooms do you see?
Perhaps it’s a different house you’re moving into, and a new season is imminent. Maybe your home is run-down and you need some self-care. Perhaps there are people in your living room who should be moved into the front yard as you establish healthier boundaries. Or maybe there’s an intruder in your life who needs to be shown the front door.
Your childhood home may also appear. This often represents a time of innocence, the hopes you had as a child, or perhaps difficult times growing up.
Snakes on the Rooftop
One of my dreams illustrates the symbol of a house.
At the time, I’d been doing well in life, dealing with the everyday challenges with confidence and strength. But then one day, a friend said some things that rocked my faith. Though well-meaning, their words brought doubt and a sense of trepidation about God’s plans for my life. For a moment, I’d listened to them, feeling the weight of their discouragement. They niggled at me and I began toying with the idea of lowering my expectations.
Then I had a dream. I saw myself standing outside my childhood home. It felt familiar and safe. Suddenly, to my horror, I noticed an enormous snake stretched out along the rooftop of the house. It looked like one of those giant boa constrictors that swallow you in one mouthful. In the dream, I panicked:; “Someone get rid of the snake!”
But almost immediately, with great relief, I realized it was okay because the snake was on the rooftop. There was no need to worry since it was outside the house.
Then I saw something move. Alarm bells rang in my head as a baby snake appeared from underneath the body of its mother. It slithered along the top of the roof, down the side of the doorway and under the crack of the door.
I screamed, “Quick! Get the snake out of my house!”
The next thing I saw was a giant hammer. It swung down from high above and crushed the head of the baby snake.
Then I woke up.
My dream of the snakes on the rooftop powerfully communicated a warning. The house of course represented my life and in particular, my thought-life and the snakes, deception and lies. While I’d been successful in rejecting the “‘big snake”’ in dealing with the bigger issues of my life, the vision showed how a “‘little snake”’ had penetrated my thinking when I had briefly entertained the lies of my well-meaning but sceptical friend. The little snake also warned of the consequences. Even the smallest of unhelpful thoughts need to be destroyed before they grow larger!
Rooms in the House
Sometimes when we dream of houses, particular rooms may feature. The rooms of a home in a dream usually point to specific areas of our lives. A bedroom likely indicates a place of intimacy, reflecting the state of our closest relationships. A bathroom is the place where we clean up, so may point to a need for cleansing or healing. A darkened basement likely represents the hidden parts of our life, tucked away from the public eye.
Jesus used the symbol of a house when he spoke of how to build a strong and stable life. A person who builds their life on God’s words is like a house built on a rock. This life can withstand storms. But a person who chooses to reject God’s words is like a house on sand. It will fall apart in a storm (Matthew 7:24,26).
Part of the reason why houses and rooms are so common in our dream-visions is because they speak to us about our lives. The message is likely to be personal, perhaps hidden from others and deeply significant. It’s worth paying attention to them.
Article supplied with thanks to God Conversations.
About the Author: Tania Harris is a pastor, speaker, author and the founder of God Conversations.
Feature image: Canva
