What Does It Mean When You Dream of Lice?
Hair lice are annoying parasites which infest the scalp of the human head. They are especially common among children. Their very mention can bring up memories of letters from the principal and, for some, a pre-emptive shorn head. Another important aspect is that the person with head lice rarely notices they have an infestation until it is too late. Only when someone else examines their head do they realize the extent of the problem. They can lead you to feel ostracized or, at the very least, dirty.
At oneHOWTO, we answer what does it mean when you dream of lice? We understand what this can mean by looking at the possible symbolism of head lice in a dream and ask ourselves what it means to us as individuals.
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What does it mean to dream of lice on our head?
Having a head full of lice in waking life is something which can bring shame on us. There is a social stigma because they result in us having to be separated from our peers. Even though getting live isn't our fault, it can still make us feel shame or even guilt.
When we have a dream about having a head full of lice, these feelings of shame or guilt may be prevalent. It may not be something we have done (although this could also be the case), but we may have these feelings regardless. For example, if we have been embarrassed in front of others or we have experienced failure on any level, we can feel like we are being invaded by these feelings.
The object of our shame could be about anything. We might have done something at work we feel bad about, we may have a problem in our family or we may even be experiencing a breakdown in a romantic relationship. Often we feel shame when a relationship breaks down, even if it isn't out fault. In fact, we can have somebody do something harmful to us, but the trauma makes us feel shame even though we are the ones being abused.
What does it mean to dream of lice and kill them?
If dreaming of lice on our head means we feel dirty, shameful, guilty or even anxious, then removing or killing them in the dream can mean we are starting to move past these issues. At the very least, it might mean we are wanting to address them.
The killing of head lice in a dream can also represent any sort of positive change from a negative situation. Perhaps you have experienced some heartbreak, romantic or otherwise, and you are starting to move past it. These heartbreak could be from grief, loss, disappointment or anything which is affecting you negatively.
Lastly, it is important to remember lice are multitudinous. Instead of getting over one thing, killing lice in a dream might be representative over moving past a lot of smaller problems which have accumulated. They may only be small problems in themselves, but they can have a serious impact when they happen at the same time. It may even be as simple as you feel you are getting your life in order.
What does it mean to dream of white lice?
What is the meaning of dreaming about white lice? While it is true that lice are black once fully developed, during the first stages of life of this parasite they are white eggs. These eggs are also known as nits. As referenced above, the appearance of white lice in your dreams is associated with the existence of minor problems in your life.
That these problems are not serious can be a relief, but white nits symbolize that you must be careful and solve the annoyances that worry you as soon as possible. Whether it is an argument with a friend, a misunderstanding with a family member or a question with your partner, we encourage you to resolve it as soon as possible, as it could end up bringing out the worst in you.
Bugs and small creatures are common motifs in dreams. Learn more about our article on what does it mean if you dream about flies?
What does it mean to dream of big and fat lice?
If we talk about the meaning of dreaming about big and fat lice, it might be a sign you are worried about your health. Big white nits or full lice occur when the problem has been allowed to develop. This could represent a physical illness, but could also be related to mental health problems. It could also be something non-specific, something which might be related to general lifestyle choices.
However, to really know what it means to dream of big and fat lice, we must also consider the possibility you are worried about the health of a person close to you. When someone you know is unwell, then the lice can represent the worsening of a disease. Whether physical or mental, it doesn't mean the problem is worsening, but we have the fear regardless. It may be suggesting, subconsciously, that you reach out to the person.
What does it mean to dream about lice and nits?
Dreaming about lice and nits can be a wake-up call for you to heal your interpersonal relationships as soon as possible. There are various situations and contexts which be related to dreaming of lice or nits:
Dream about dead lice
If in your dream the nits and lice appear dead, it might be a good sign. The dead lice or nits can often represent toxic people or behaviors in our lives. If they are dead, we might be getting better at staying away from these negative situations which can lead to destructive behaviors.
Dreaming of lice and nits on someone else's head
This dream may symbolize that someone very close to you, someone you value and trust, is going through a bad time. You may have subconsciously picked up on signs they are unwell, but not realized them consciously. Pay attention to your closest relationships and friends, as it could be a decisive problem.
Dreaming of many lice and nits
If many lice and nits appear in your dream, the meaning could be that you feel threatened by close people. It is usually an intuition or a bad feeling, represented by the parasites. Parasites feed off their host and get close to do so. When you dream of many lice, it might mean you think people are trying to take advantage of you. Be careful and ensure you can trust those close to you.
Many different creatures can appear in our dreams, symbolizing various problems or opportunities in our lives. For more information about dream interpretations, take a look at our articles on dreaming of mice, dreaming of spiders and dreaming of scorpions to better understand your subconscious self.
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