Dreaming of fish in Chinese dream interpretation: meaning

Within this tradition

At Chinese New Year fish is often eaten, and part of it deliberately kept. That goes back to the wish nian nian you yu: may there be surplus every year. Because fish and surplus sound the same, a fish is the image of abundance par excellence. In the Zhou Gong Jie Meng and in folk tradition a fish in a dream is therefore usually read favourably.

A well-known story is that of the carp that swims against the current and leaps over the Dragon Gate, after which it becomes a dragon. That image stands for perseverance and success, and was once linked with passing the imperial examinations. A fish leaping up or swimming upstream in a dream can be read along those lines as a breakthrough after long persistence.

Goldfish and koi carry their own charge: gold and wealth, and in feng shui good fortune for the house. Catching a lot of fish or fish swimming towards you is read as prosperity coming in.

Fish is also a well-known image in the taimeng, dreams said to announce a child. And as with many Chinese readings, the state counts: a living, shining fish is favourable, a dead or rotting fish rather a sign to watch your money or health.

Common variations