What does your dream mean in Korea?
Korea has its own long tradition of reading dreams. Some of it matches what you may already know, and some of it is the exact opposite: a pig or even poop is a lucky money dream, and a wedding can be a warning. For each dream we show the common Western reading next to the Korean one.
What is a taemong?
The dream that announces a baby, and what dragons, tigers, pigs and fish are said to tell you about the child ›
Lucky dreams in Korea
Dreams many Koreans hope for, and the ones that send people out to buy a lottery ticket.
Dreaming of a pig돼지꿈 · dwaeji-kkumOne of the luckiest dreams in Korea: money is on its way.- Dreaming of poop똥꿈 · ttong-kkumGross in the US, but a money dream in Korea.
- Dreaming of a dragon용꿈 · yong-kkumThe king of good dreams: success, promotion and honor.
Dreaming of a tiger호랑이 꿈 · horangi kkumPower and a strong helper, and a famous taemong.
Dreaming of a snake뱀꿈 · baem-kkumNot a bad omen in Korea: wealth, wisdom and a common taemong.- Dreaming of fire불꿈 · bul-kkumA house on fire is a sign of business booming in Korea.
- Dreaming of your own death죽는 꿈 · jungneun kkumSurprisingly, a good dream in Korea: a fresh start.
- Dreaming of blood피 꿈 · pi kkumIn Korea, blood in a dream is usually read as money and vitality.
- Dreaming of flying나는 꿈 · naneun kkumA rising dream: promotion, success and freedom.
- Dreaming of fish물고기 꿈 · mulgogi kkumWealth and a classic taemong, especially big, lively fish.
- Dreaming of a president or celebrity대통령 꿈 · daetongnyeong kkumKorea's favorite lottery dream.
Dreaming of a horse말 꿈 · mal kkumGetting ahead: promotion, travel and good news.- Dreaming of a bear곰 꿈 · gom kkumA bear brings help or wealth, and it is a classic pregnancy dream.
- Dreaming of a turtle거북이 꿈 · geobugi kkumA sign of long life and slow, steady fortune, and a well-known pregnancy dream.
Dreaming of a cow소꿈 · so-kkumCattle were a farm family's fortune, so a cow coming home means wealth arrives.- Dreaming of fruit과일 꿈 · gwail kkumPicking ripe fruit is the most common pregnancy dream in Korea.
- Dreaming of flowers꽃 꿈 · kkot kkumBlooming flowers bring joy, romance and recognition. Wilted ones mean fading interest.
- Dreaming of gold or a gold ring금 꿈 · 금반지 꿈 · geum kkum geumbanji kkumGold and jewels point to a precious bond, a treasured child or good fortune.
- Dreaming of the sun or moon해 꿈 · 달 꿈 · hae kkum dal kkumHolding the sun or moon points to great success or the birth of a remarkable child.
- Dreaming of a funeral장례식 꿈 · jangnyesik kkumA reverse dream: an ending that clears the way for a fresh start.
- Dreaming of crying우는 꿈 · uneun kkumCrying hard in a dream is said to bring a joyful event or relief.
- Dreaming of climbing a mountain산 꿈 · san kkumClimbing up points to rising success, and the summit to a goal reached.
Dreams Koreans read as warnings
Read these as a nudge to take care, not as a prediction to fear.
- Dreaming of teeth falling out이빨 빠지는 꿈 · ippal ppajineun kkumOne of the best-known warning dreams in Korea.
- Dreaming of a wedding결혼하는 꿈 · gyeolhonhaneun kkumHappy in the US, but traditionally a worry dream in Korea.
- Dreaming of cutting your hair머리카락 자르는 꿈 · meorikarak jareuneun kkumIn Korea, losing hair in a dream hints at losing something you value.
- Dreaming of finding money돈 줍는 꿈 · don jumneun kkumA reverse dream in Korea: picking up money can mean losing it.
- Dreaming of losing your shoes신발 잃어버리는 꿈 · sinbal ireobeorineun kkumShoes are your partner or job in Korean dream reading.
- Dreaming of cockroaches바퀴벌레 꿈 · bakwibeolle kkumWorries and small losses that keep multiplying. Squashing them clears things up.
- Dreaming of a car accident교통사고 꿈 · gyotong-sago kkumA gentle nudge to slow down and double-check your plans.
Dreams that depend on the details
The same dream can be good or bad depending on what happens in it.
- Dreaming of a dead relative or ancestor조상꿈 · josang-kkumAncestors bring messages in Korean dreams. Their mood matters.
- Dreaming of water or a flood물 꿈 · mul kkumClear water is lucky in Korea, muddy water is a warning.
- Dreaming of falling떨어지는 꿈 · tteoreojineun kkumInsecurity in the US, and a sign of growing for Korean kids.
- Dreaming of being chased쫓기는 꿈 · jjotgineun kkumStress in both cultures, but escaping is a good sign.
- Dreaming of being pregnant임신 꿈 · imsin kkumA new beginning, and not the same thing as a taemong.
Dreaming of a dog개꿈 · gae-kkumIn Korean, 'dog dream' also means a dream with no meaning at all.
Dreaming of a rat or mouse쥐 꿈 · jwi kkumSmall losses, or a sign of thrift and clever work.- Dreaming of a baby아기 꿈 · agi kkumCute in the US, but traditionally a sign of new worries in Korea.
- Dreaming of a spider거미꿈 · geomi-kkumA web being spun points to building wealth. Getting stuck in one points to a snare.
- Dreaming of a cat고양이 꿈 · goyangi kkumOften a hint of jealousy, gossip or a sly person nearby, though kittens are kinder.
- Dreaming of a magpie or crow까치 꿈 · 까마귀 꿈 · kkachi kkum kkamagwi kkumA magpie brings good news or a welcome guest. A crow usually brings a worry.
- Dreaming of an ex전 애인 꿈 · jeon aein kkumOld feelings or an unfinished matter coming back to the surface.
- Dreaming that your partner is cheating배우자가 바람피우는 꿈 · baeujaga barampiuneun kkumOften a reverse dream that hints your bond is getting stronger.
- Dreaming of being naked알몸 꿈 · almom kkumShedding clothes can mean shedding worries, unless you feel ashamed.
- Dreaming of taking an exam시험 꿈 · siheom kkumPressure and the fear of being unprepared, a very Korean worry.
- Dreaming of a ghost귀신 꿈 · gwisin kkumChasing a ghost off is good. Being haunted means rest is overdue.
- Dreaming of a fight싸우는 꿈 · ssauneun kkumWinning a fight means beating rivals. Some say any fight is lucky.
- Dreaming of a thief도둑 꿈 · doduk kkumCatch the thief and your luck turns. Lose things and stay alert.
- Dreaming of rain비 꿈 · bi kkumMostly lucky: rain can wash worries away or bring money.
- Dreaming of the ocean바다 꿈 · bada kkumA calm, clear sea opens wide doors. Rough waves mean obstacles.
- Dreaming of a house집 꿈 · jip kkumA new or bigger house means growing fortune. A collapse calls for care.
Dreams that can be a taemong
Where these readings come from
The Korean readings follow haemong, Korean folk dream interpretation as it is commonly told in Korea today: by grandparents, in dream dictionaries and in everyday talk. They are tradition, not research, and they vary a little from family to family. The Western readings are the meanings you are most likely to find in English dream guides, which also differ by source.
Each dream page puts the two side by side, then walks through the scenes that change the reading, the custom or belief behind the Korean view, and what people in Korea commonly do after such a dream. Where a dream is a classic taemong, a dream that announces a pregnancy, dreamed by the parent-to-be or someone close to them, the page also gives the taemong reading.
Dreams are for reflection and fun, not for making big decisions. If a dream keeps troubling you, talking to someone you trust can help more than any dream book.