Alligator and Crocodile Dreams

Alligators and crocodiles are comfortable on land and in water. They are fierce, carnivorous, and move with speed and stealth. They possess great power and reach a formidable size. Their jaws are so powerful they can eat their prey in one bone-crushing bite.

When dreaming of alligators or crocodiles, it’s important to keep in mind that they are water creatures as well as land creatures.

Water represents the emotions, and both the alligator and the crocodile are at home in the water, where they remain hidden, yet aware of everything in their environment.

To dream of alligators or crocodiles may mean that there is something of great power lurking just below the surface of your unconscious mind. They may represent a “hidden danger,” or manipulation and deception (think of crocodile tears).

Dreaming of alligators or crocodiles may also be messages of deep spiritual initiation. They have existed, relatively unchanged, for over 200 million years, so they are connected to a very ancient, primal, energy. Because of their ability to eat their food in one bite, they are also symbolic of a journey to the underworld, and initiation. However, they take a long time to digest their food, so this may be a message to take more time in “digesting” something that you are working through.

They are also protective as well as fearsome. Both alligators and crocodiles are good mothers. They help the eggs to hatch, then gently carry them to the water. The Egyptian goddess, Tawret, had the tail of a crocodile, and frightened spirits who may mean to harm a pregnant woman or child. She also helped spirits “re-birth” into the afterlife.

The ancient Egyptians recognized the power of the crocodile, and saw them as symbols of fertility and power. Sobek, the Egyptian god of the Nile, was depicted as a man with the head of a crocodile. It was believed that he created the world, and was a protector of the pharaoh’s army.
Dreaming of alligators or crocodiles may be drawing your attention to an aspect of yourself that you’ve been afraid to face. Start with asking yourself if you were feeling frightened in your dream, neutral, or empowered.

It’s important to understand your own personal connection to these creatures when doing a dream interpretation. If you were frightened by one as a child, your perspective will be much different from someone who was fascinated with them.

When an alligator or crocodile appears in your dream, you can be sure that they have something important to share; whether it’s facing a personal fear, confronting a difficult situation, or accepting that you are connected to a tremendous source of power.