Caterpillar Dream Meaning

If your dream involves seeing a caterpillar then this means your dream is largely connected to your attitude towards life and life processes. Caterpillars are associated with metamorphoses and the natural progression of life.

Colors in dreams are significant, but to see the colors on a caterpillar indicates new beginnings. It depends on the type of colors you see on the caterpillar in the dream. As the caterpillar indicates one's attitude in life, it can suggest that you are associating yourself with good people around you. It is very much a “social symbol” perhaps you have wanted to emotionally fit better with others. Yellow caterpillars denote an inner energy that equals harmony.

This is associated with intellect. To see a caterpillar with red colors suggests that passion will be yours going forward. A blue caterpillar is connected to peace and harmony. This caterpillar can also denote that winter will be your time to shine. A black and orange caterpillar is associated with the spiritual realm it is connected with growth and forward direction. To see a green caterpillar is associated with nature being at one with the world. A brown caterpillar denotes possible new surroundings and a move. If the caterpillar has many different colors this is a positive omen that denotes new opportunities in the future. A caterpillar with an unusual color or shade or even markings (which you do not see in the waking world) is associated with the cycle of life. This is from a spiritual perspective and indicates that one must grow.

Something may be amiss in your life, or else, in more positive caterpillar dreams, everything is going according to plan.

In your dream you may have

• Seen a caterpillar in its natural habitat.
• Captured a caterpillar.
• Seen a cocoon.
• Watched a caterpillar transform into a butterfly.
• Been a caterpillar yourself.
• Turned into a butterfly yourself.
• Been trapped in a cocoon.
• Taken on caterpillar characteristics, such as crawling slowly and eating leaves.
• Seen a caterpillar unable to experience metamorphosis.

Positive changes are afoot if

• You were a caterpillar and you successfully transformed into a butterfly.
• You saw a caterpillar successfully change into a butterfly.
• The caterpillar seemed comfortable and safe in its natural environment.
• You escaped a cocoon you felt trapped in.
• The caterpillar outran a predator such as a bird.

Detailed dream interpretation

A caterpillar is stuck in a stage of youth. A caterpillar has not reached full maturity until it has successfully transformed into a butterfly. That is why the caterpillar is representative of youth and young adulthood, or a return to childhood simplicity. A dream about a caterpillar may be telling you to return to the simpler things in life, or reminding you of your fun playful spirit. A caterpillar may also represent rebellion against authority, since caterpillars represent youth who have not grown enough to respect the rules.

Dreams about caterpillars come before major shifts and life changes. If you are having some sort of midlife crisis, or if you are approaching another major life development such as becoming a senior citizen, you may dream about caterpillars to address your uneasiness. If you dream about a young caterpillar, you are feeling unsure about this transition and wishing to go back in time. If you dream about an older caterpillar, or a caterpillar building a cocoon, you are much more comfortable with the transition and may in fact be looking forward to it.

Sometimes, you cannot tell whether the caterpillar will soon turn into a butterfly or not. In this case, you are comfortable with the situation you are in and are not in a rush to get things done. This may be a good sign, but you should still consider working harder to accomplish tasks in a timely manner.

If your caterpillar successfully morphs into a butterfly, everything is going to be just fine. The caterpillar has completed the natural stages of life, and everything in real life is going according to plan. This nature theme can also relate to fertility. The life cycle of the caterpillar can be linked to the female reproductive cycle, so you or someone you know may be pregnant.

If you took on some of the characteristics of a caterpillar in your dream, it could mean a variety of things. If you were slow-moving like a caterpillar, you may be afraid you will never be successful or transform into who you want to be. If you ate leaves like a caterpillar, you are feeling anxious or uncertain about a major life event.

It is a bad sign if the caterpillar in your dream was eaten or became trapped in its cocoon. If you yourself were the caterpillar and you were eaten, you are feeling overwhelmed by your responsibilities, and you want things to remain as they are. If you witnessed a caterpillar being eaten, you may have been too hard on another person who is experiencing trauma in his or her life. If you are trapped in a cocoon in your dream, you are not feeling good about the way things have been going, and you may feel like you have chosen the wrong life path. If you see a caterpillar trapped in a cocoon in your dream, there may be a death or an injury in your immediate family.

This dream is in association with the following scenarios in your life

• A transition from one major life milestone to the next. (i.e. middle age, seniority).
• A return to the simple pleasures of childhood.
• A major life change or metamorphosis.
• A developing skill or success.
• A makeover or other transformation.
• A feeling of entrapment or stagnancy.

Feelings that you may have encountered during a dream of a caterpillar

Growth. Encouragement. Transformation. Simplicity. Success. Entrapment. Stillness. Slow. Comfortable. Scared. Threatened. Calm.