In Florida, it is commonplace to see signposts with captions advertising "Hidden Danger." The image the words are captioning is that of a snapping alligator. These disquieting signs are positively perfect representations of the symbolism of the alligators and crocodiles in dreams.
Crocodiles and Alligators as a Warning in Dreams
Alligators and crocodile dreams are oftentimes symbolic warnings about dangers hiding in both the inner psyche and the outer world. And since both reptiles are water dwellers, water symbolism is also relevant.
Water is symbolic of the unconscious, emotions, and the intuition and the warning the dreams of these aquatic creatures can denote are those involving feelings that something from the depths of the unconscious is lying in wait, about to pounce.
Often, the dreamer has long denied certain parts of the psyche and an outpouring of psychic content may be imminent. Repressed feelings, unacknowledged desires, and the shadow self may be emerging.. None of these elements are necessarily bad, however, their repression may give rise to feelings that they are and the dreamer may feel unprepared to deal with all that is hidden in the depths of the unconscious.
Alternatively, the danger can be something which has been communicated via intuitive impressions but has gone unacknowledged by the conscious mind. Still other times, the lurking danger is the worst kind-the kind that strikes from out of nowhere without mercy.
Shadow Symbols in Dreams
The shadow is the psychic repository of all undesirable aspects of the self. Many people view the shadow as the psyche's “dark side,” mistakenly believing that all shadowy contents are evil, bad, or similarly nasty. This is not always the case.
The concept known as “shadow gold” refers to discarded psychic parts which are actually quite desirable. It's said that these parts are usually relegated to the shadow due to pain or some unpleasant association. For example, a gifted pianist might throw away her musical gifts after suffering abuse at the hands of a music teacher.
Focusing on one's waking life associations with alligators or crocodiles will help with discerning what kind of Shadow information is surfacing. Positive associations will likely yield shadow gold; negative associations might mean it is time to reconcile various elements of the self.
Crocodiles as a Power Symbols in Mythology
A symbol's mythological history is part of its foundation as a dream symbol. Crocodile mythology exists in many cultures, however, due to the importance of the Nile, Ancient Egypt arguably has the most prolific and positive crocodile mythology.
Recognizing its undeniable sheer force, the Egyptians envisioned the crocodile as a symbol of power, life and even fertility as evidenced by the god Sobek. Even Sekhmet, the warrior goddess, who was strong enough to be a protector of the sun god, Ra, was sometimes depicted with a crocodile's head.
Dreaming about catching an alligator or crocodile can symbolize a regeneration of power, or a feeling of being in touch with powerful elemental forces. It can even symbolize reclamation of those psychic shards formerly relegated to the Shadow.
Word Play and Urban Legend
The urban legend of the enormous pet store alligators running rampant under the streets of Manhattan. There's the term "crocodile tears." And one can't forget myths of alligators swallowing humans whole.
Each of the aforementioned is a waking life element bound into the collective unconscious and each lends its own flavor to the interpretation of this dream symbol.
The sewer gator can symbolize some nuisance the dreamer thought was flushed away, but which has, instead, been hiding behind the scene, steadily growing into an unavoidable, dangerous situation.
Crocodile tears may mean that either the dreamer or some trusted associate is not expressing truthful emotions.
Since water is one of the quintessential symbols of emotion, then the feeling of being “swallowed whole” can refer to overwhelming emotions -- a feeling that if the dreamer lowers his guard, emotions will devour him completely.
A number of the interpretations of alligator crocodile dreams are less than comforting. However, the dreamer can find solace in the fact that they are undeniable power symbols. It is up to the dreamer to make peace with that power instead of being overcome by it.
Sources:
Collected Works of C.G. Jung, Volume 8: Structure & Dynamics of the Psyche by C. G. Jung.
Collected Works of C.G. Jung, Volume 5: Symbols of Transformation by C. G. Jung.
Primitive Mythology: Masks of God, Vol. 1 by Joseph Campbell.
Inner Reaches of Outer Space: Metaphor As Myth and As Religion by Joseph Campbell.
Aisling Ireland - Aisling Ireland has studied Jungian psychology for the past two decades, has a B.S. in Psychology, and has written extensively on the ...
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