How to Know If Your Dream Is Literal or Symbolic
Discerning God's Voice in Literal and Symbolic Dreams
Understanding Literal and Symbolic Dreams
Did you know that some dreams are literal while others are symbolic? This is one of the most important distinctions to make as you grow in interpreting what God is revealing. Literal dreams require little to no interpretation. What you see is what you get—or very close to it. Symbolic dreams, however, operate more like parables. They use metaphorical language to reveal a message from God that must be sought out and interpreted with Him.
In the Bible, we see literal dreams and visions occur throughout both the Old and New Testaments. In Acts 9:10–12, both Paul and Ananias receive literal visions about one another. God tells Ananias exactly where Paul is, what he’s doing, and what to do. Everything unfolds just as it was shown—no metaphors needed.
We also see modern-day examples. Some people have reported dreaming of planes crashing into buildings before 9/11, a literal event that occurred exactly as seen. Others dreamed of bridges collapsing, such as the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, which fell on March 26, 2024 after a cargo ship collided with it. In October 2024, another bridge in Mendenhall, Mississippi collapsed during demolition preparation, tragically killing three workers. In both cases, people reported receiving warning dreams in advance. These types of dreams serve as real-time alerts—prophetic insights that unfold as seen.
Even when the details aren’t 100% exact, a dream can still be considered literal. For example, someone might dream of meeting a woman pushing a blue stroller who hands them $1,000. In real life, they encounter a woman with a pink stroller who gives them $800. The color and amount may shift, but the essence of the dream unfolds just as revealed. That’s what makes it literal.
Symbolic Dreams Require Interpretation
Symbolic dreams are a different kind of experience. In these, the people, places, and objects serve as metaphors for something deeper. These dreams function as divine riddles or parables, much like the way Jesus taught spiritual truths using earthly examples (see Matthew 13:10–13).
If that same dream with the woman and stroller were symbolic, it might carry a very different message. The woman could represent someone who has birthed a ministry, assignment, or calling. The child in the stroller may symbolize that ministry, and her act of pushing it shows she is actively nurturing or advancing it. The money being handed to the dreamer could represent provision, favor, or a divine connection being extended through her obedience. This may indicate that the dreamer is meant to receive something from what she carries—whether it be mentorship, opportunity, or alignment with a purpose that intersects with their own.
We see symbolic dreams all throughout Scripture. Joseph’s dreams in Genesis 37 use sheaves and stars to represent family dynamics and future leadership. Pharaoh’s dream in Genesis 41 uses cows and corn to represent years of abundance and famine. Daniel interprets King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of a statue (Daniel 2), and in the New Testament, Peter’s vision of unclean animals (Acts 10:9–16) was symbolic of the gospel being made available to the Gentiles. These dreams needed divine interpretation to understand the message beneath the symbols.
How to Tell the Difference
So how do you know if your dream is literal or symbolic? Here are a few practical steps to help you discern:
1. Ask the Holy Spirit
Interpretation belongs to God (Genesis 40:8), and He is faithful to reveal what we ask Him for (Jeremiah 33:3). When you receive a dream, your first step should be to pray and ask, “Holy Spirit, was this dream literal or symbolic?” He may answer immediately, or He may teach you through repeated patterns and growing sensitivity to His voice over time.
2. Evaluate Your Dream History
If you’ve consistently had dreams that came to pass with striking accuracy—meaning the details happened around 90% of the time—then the current dream you’re seeking God about may also be literal. While this doesn’t mean all your dreams are literal, it gives you a strong indicator for how to initially approach what God may be revealing.
3. Document Your Dreams Properly
Many people miss the meaning of their dreams simply because they don’t document them well. Don’t just jot down a few key words—write the full dream out. As you record the details, the Holy Spirit often begins to highlight patterns, emotions, and key symbols. Proper documentation allows you to revisit dreams and recognize how they build over time or connect to real events.
4. Be Consistent with Dream Stewardship
If you’re not consistently writing your dreams down and spending time in prayer over them, it will be hard to develop discernment. The more you engage with the dreams God gives you, the more you’ll recognize how He speaks to you personally.
A Word of Caution: Don’t Assume Too Quickly
While it’s helpful to study your dream history and track patterns, don’t become so reliant on those patterns that you stop asking the Holy Spirit for clarity.
God Can Shift the Way He Speaks
Just because your dreams have mostly been symbolic doesn’t mean they always will be. God may begin to give you literal dreams in a new season or shift the ratio between the two. Or vice versa. Stay open and sensitive to how He wants to communicate with you today, not just how He has in the past.
This is why it’s so important to stay humble and dependent on the Holy Spirit. If you assume every dream will follow a familiar format, you may misinterpret something new He’s trying to show you. As Proverbs 3:5–6 reminds us,
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
Why It Matters
Misjudging a dream can lead to unnecessary confusion, disappointment, or missed opportunities. If you treat a symbolic dream like a literal one—such as assuming the man in your dream is your husband, only to see him marry someone else—it can lead to deep discouragement. If you assume a job will fall into your lap just because you saw it in a dream but never take the step to apply, you could miss a door God wanted you to walk through.
That’s why it’s important to ask. If you’re unsure, treat the dream as symbolic and continue seeking the Lord for clarity. The safest place to land is in partnership with the Holy Spirit.
Conclusion
Discerning whether your dream is literal or symbolic is one of the most important skills you can grow in as you learn to hear God through the night. Some dreams will unfold exactly as you saw them. Others will carry deeper meaning wrapped in metaphor. Either way, the Holy Spirit is your guide. Ask Him, write down what you saw, and trust that He is faithful to reveal what you need to know.
Resources to Guide Your Dream Journey
Dove Expressions Dream Journal – A Guided Tool for Stewarding Your Dreams
The Dove Expressions Dream Journal is a luxury spiral-bound tool designed to walk you through the four essential steps of dream interpretation: Pray, Brainstorm, Interpret, and Apply. With over 100 pages of guided prompts, interpretation space, and teaching, it’s the perfect companion for anyone wanting to grow in stewarding dreams from God. Available for $34.95 at doveexpressions.com.
Prefer digital? Grab a downloadable version of the Dove Expressions Dream Journal from my website or Etsy. Starting at just $4.99, it’s a convenient way to document your dreams on the go.
Join the Conversation
Have you experienced a dream that you believe held a message from God? Share your story in the comments below and let’s journey together in understanding and interpreting God’s divine communications through dreams. For more detailed guidance, check out our Dove Expressions YouTube for videos on how to interpret your dreams.
Join the Community
Want to grow in your understanding of dreams and hear how others are discerning God’s voice? Join my Facebook group: God’s Revelation Through Dreams. It’s a space for community, interpretation, and teaching. You’ll find video trainings, group discussions, and support as you grow.
Stay in the Know
Want to be the first to know when new resources or special offers become available? Head to doveexpressions.com and sign up for the email list—we’d love to stay connected!
Have you ever had a dream come to pass exactly as you saw it? Or have you noticed most of your dreams seem symbolic? I’d love to hear your experience—share in the comments or connect with us in the group!