What Does It Mean to Dream About Poop?

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How to decipher dreams about feces

Co-authored by Finn Kobler Reviewed by Michelle Arbeau

Last Updated: November 11, 2024 Fact Checked

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• Recurring Themes
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• Common Poop Dreams & Interpretations
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• Different Color Poop Meanings
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• Why do I keep having poop dreams?
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• How to Deal with a Poop Dream
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• Video

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All dreams have some spiritual meaning—even the crappy ones (pun intended). If you’ve recently been dreaming of poop, there’s a wide variety of things your subconscious may be trying to tell you. In this article, we’ll walk you through some of the most common interpretations of poop dreams, and break down how these explanations can shift based on the context of the dream itself. Keep reading so all this symbolism doesn’t go to waste!

Things You Should Know

• Poop dreams are often a symbol of spiritual release. Pooping/seeing poop is a sign that your problems, though messy, are out in the open.
• In several cultures, poop dreams are a sign of prosperity. Seeing an animal’s poop in your subconscious is a good omen of upcoming wealth.
• The color of poop in your dream can change the dream’s meaning. For example, black represents negativity while brown represents growth.

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Section 1 of 5:

What does a poop dream mean?

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1. 1
   Financial Success In a lot of Eastern folklore (from Chinese to Middle Eastern mythology), coming across the poop of a dog, bird, pig, or any non-human animal is an omen for prosperity. Some believe this is because poop is a fertilizer, so more poop means better yields and harvests. Others see it as these animals offering a gift. Regardless, if you dream of poop, there’s a chance the spirit world is telling you you’re about to stumble into some money.

   • Similarly, some cultures see poop as a warning to be careful with your money. New finances are a lot of responsibility, so don’t make any rash decisions and spend your money wisely.
2. 2
   Shame Despite poop being a natural bodily function, defecating is still seen by most of the world as a gross or obscene activity. If you dream of poop, your subconscious may be telling you that you’ve internalized this obscenity. You’re ashamed of something you’ve done in the past and dung is how this shame manifests. In addition, we’re at our most vulnerable when we’re using the bathroom, so this may be your mind telling you that you secretly feel exposed.

   • Shame is a particularly common theme for poop dreams where you have to go but can’t find a bathroom. But remember: shame is a lot like poop. Everybody experiences it and it’s unhealthy to bottle it in. Practice self-compassion to let that stuff go (literally and figuratively).
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   Spiritual Clarity & Cleansing Defecating is a form of release. It quite literally cleans your body of toxins. If you see poop or experience yourself pooping in a dream, it means your body has expelled/is expelling the toxic thoughts and feelings that you’ve been keeping bottled in. Similarly, if you dream of constipation, it’s a sign your body is still carrying negative energy.

   • In addition, poop can be a symbol of past mistakes. Since it’s something that needs cleaning up, you may subconsciously realize an error you made that also needs to be disposed of.
   • In waking life, many people often have issues with constipation, hemorrhoids, and even colon cancer from "holding onto the past" or being "unable to release the past." This is a VERY common spiritual condition that manifests into physical issues. Likewise, this theme frequently shows up in our dreams as similar issues regarding the release of the bowels, because this is the part of the body that releases what we no longer need or want in life.
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Section 2 of 5:

Common Poop Dreams & Interpretations

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1. 1
   Dreaming of cleaning poop symbolizes inner strength. While pooping is natural, properly cleaning it can be unpleasant. Therefore, the act of wiping and washing away poop is a symbol of grit and fortitude. You’re willing to do unsavory tasks to make your life fresher and more pure. You’re quite literally taking care of crap.
2. 2
   If your poop is overflowing, it's a sign of overwhelming opportunities. The toilet in your dream may symbolize your mind, wallet, or spirits, overflowing with ideas, income, or emotions. While this is typically a good sign, it can also mean you have more thoughts or prospects than you know what to do with. Overflowing poop means you’re likely to encounter a surge of creativity or good fortune; use your time wisely and don’t let them overwhelm you.

   • Some cultures also see an overflowing poop dream as a sign to be cautious and not embarrass yourself during social gatherings (parties, business meetings, etc).
3. 3
   Poop floating in water can represent emotional blockage. In astrology, tarot, and other forms of spirituality, water is often the element of emotions and feelings. A healthy, flowing stream signifies our ability to experience joy, pain, and fear, and to empathize. If you see poop floating in a toilet, bathtub, or other body of water in your dream, it’s likely a sign your feelings are contaminated by something. You won’t be able to feel the full spectrum of emotion until you identify this problem and release those pent-up feelings.

   • Oftentimes, dealing with your emotions is simply a matter of not judging them. Rather than labeling some emotions as bad or crappy (anger, sadness), recognize that, like poop, they’re natural and allow yourself to feel them fully.
4. 4
   Dreaming of loose stool is a hint to be more diligent. The type of poop you witness in a dream can offer a lot of insight into the lessons your subconscious is telling you. If your stool is runny or you have diarrhea in your dream, it’s a sign things in your life may not be as stable as you may think. Be conscientious at work and in your relationships, so they don’t slip through the cracks.

   • Dreaming of having diarrhea can also mean you feel unappreciated. You feel like you’re unable to produce solid results and your efforts in your community and relationships feel futile.
5. 5
   Symbolically, pooping your pants means you’re hiding behind something. The pants symbolize a sort of mental or emotional safety net that prevents you from being exposed and dealing with seemingly-crappy situations head-on. While confronting your fears or specific people in your life directly may feel messy, this barrier you’re putting up is preventing you from experiencing the full spectrum of life.

   • Pooping your pants can also symbolize dirty secrets and how they’ll cause a mess in your life if you don’t come clean.
6. 6
   Dreaming of someone else’s poop shows relationship conflict. If you see or smell somebody else’s feces in your dream, you’re likely experiencing some form of anger, bitterness, or resentment toward that person. That person is making a “mess” in your life and you’re not giving enough credit to how much it’s affecting you.

   • The best way to deal with resentment is to identify what’s causing this animosity. Ask yourself when this resentment started and look inward to consider anything you may have done to exacerbate the situation.
   • When in doubt, talk to the person you feel resentful of. Kindly but clearly communicate that your feelings are hurt for whatever reason and you feel like a wall has gone up between you.
7. 7
   Wiping in your dream means you can start over. Dreams of wiping away poop (or any mess for that matter) are a sign of a bright future ahead. Your subconscious is telling you that you’ve done the necessary work to move forward and you’re ready to wipe away the past with a clean slate.

   • While it may seem inconsequential (or even gross), pay attention to whose poop you’re wiping. If it’s yours, it’s a sign you’ve done the inner emotional work to better your life. If it’s someone else’s, it could mean you’ve also outgrown that person.
8. 8
   If you poop your bed in a dream, be careful in your romantic affairs. Beds often symbolize love and sensuality. In literature, they convey sex, vulnerability, and partnership. If you dream of your bed being soiled, it could mean these things are in jeopardy. If you’re currently in a relationship, put extra effort into making your partner feel appreciated. If you’re single, be careful who you date or consider taking a break from dating altogether for a little while.

   • Beds also symbolize home and comfort. A poop-in-bed dream could mean your home life may face challenges in the near future.
9. 9
   When people throw poop at you in dreams, it’s a sign of animosity. If you dream of not only seeing and smelling another person’s excrement but having that person hurl or toss their waste at you, there’s likely some tension in your relationship. You either feel alienated or like you’ve alienated them.

   • Talking about this dream to the person you dreamed about can be a great way to diffuse tension and inject humor into the conversation if your relationship is feeling frayed. You can then use this as a jumping-off point to rebuild your connection.
10. 10
    Dreaming of pooping in public is often a sign of success. If you have a dream about defecating in a public restroom (or even a less socially-acceptable public place), it’s likely a symbol of confidence. Since poop is often associated with shame and vulnerability, your subconscious is telling you that you’re unphased by these two things. You’re willing to take care of yourself, regardless of what the rest of the world thinks of you.
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Section 3 of 5:

Different Color Poop Meanings

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1. 1
   Green poop is usually a sign of financial stability. Combining the powers of blue (which is soothing and tranquil) and yellow (which is opportunistic and cheerful), the color green is often associated with safety in both a physical and metaphorical sense. Combine that with its association to money and seeing green poop in your dream likely means your future outcome is income (and it’s likely a pretty secure form of revenue).

   • Green poop can also call attention to your health, as green is often used to advertise healthy foods and medicine.
2. 2
   Brown poop represents growth. Brown is the color of soil and Mother Earth. Therefore, if you dream of brown poop, your subconscious is reminding you of the importance of growing. This might be some positive encouragement to show you that you’ve already grown or a reminder that you need to grow up. Use context clues to determine how you think the theme of growth is manifesting in your mind.

   • For example, if your dream was focused on cleaning or getting rid of brown feces, that probably means you’re moving ahead in life. However, if you dream of brown poop covering your walls, it’s likely you’re feeling stifled and need to outgrow the situation.
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   Mustard-colored poop might be a sign to embrace your inner child. The color of your poop in your dream can also impact its meaning. It may sound strange but think about it: rusty yellow is a stool color we tend to outgrow after toddlerhood. If you witness mustardy poop in your dream (but you haven’t seen it in real life in years), this may mean something from your childhood has a deep hold on your subconscious and you need to look back on past experiences to overcome it.

   • An easy way to embrace your inner child is to engage in fun, childlike activities. Try fingerpainting, singing songs, or playing a game of tag with your friends.
4. 4
   Black poop usually shows that you’re surrounded by negativity. Black is often used as a symbol of darkness and decay. If your poop is black in your dream, you’re likely carrying a lot of anger, sadness, or cynicism with you and that negativity is either corrupting the fertile growth that your feces symbolizes or making an already unpleasant situation worse.
5. 5
   Red poop can remind you of the importance of gratitude. Red is an extremely high-vibrational color. It often represents love, passion, and appreciation for another person. Because of this, red waste in your dream could be telling you that, to overcome crappy situations, you need to show more gratitude for your loved ones and the world around you.

   • Red poop could also be a good omen for future romantic endeavors.
6. 6
   White poop is telling you to focus on healing. White is often the color of purity and cleanliness. While this may seem counterintuitive when associated with feces, dreaming of white poop is often a sign from your subconscious that something is hurting you and, to grow, you need to give yourself the proper time and space to heal from past traumas. Reflect on all the negativity in your life and try to pinpoint which ones might be affecting you.
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Section 4 of 5:

Why do I keep having poop dreams?

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1. If you keep dreaming of feces, your mind likely feels limited or stuck. Recurring dreams, in general, are often a sign we have unresolved tension or feel stuck in a loop. Add in the poopiness of it all and it’s likely your mind feels like there’s a waste it can’t get rid of. You’re either creatively, emotionally, or spiritually stifled.

   • If you have the same type of poop dream, take that as extra evidence of the type of spiritual blockage you’re experiencing. For example, if you keep seeing floating poop when you fall asleep, it’s a sign your issue is emotional. If it’s another person’s poop, it’s intrapersonal, etc.
   • To feel less stuck in your dreams, work on breaking up life’s stress and monotony while you’re awake. Try breathing exercises to center yourself and make small life changes to shake things up (take a new way to work, learn a new language, engage with a new hobby, etc).

Section 5 of 5:

How to Deal with a Poop Dream

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1. 1
   Write your poop dreams down when you wake up. Keep a dream journal and write down your dreams (or any dreams for that matter) in as much detail as possible as soon as you wake up. Keep a timeline of everything you remember and note possible interpretations in the margins.

   • For example, you might write “Saw turd on bedroom wall. Walked to bathroom. Saw same poop in toilet.” Then, in the margins you might scribble “Waste following me?” or “Home life clogged?”
2. 2
   Practice meditation to get in touch with your inner self. Poop dreams are often a sign you’re experiencing some sort of blockage or disconnect from your spiritual side. Try meditating for a few minutes every day to re-center yourself. Find a quiet space, away from any distractions, close your eyes, and slowly breathe in and out to improve your focus and think about your dreams more deeply.

   • Your mind may wander while meditating. That’s completely normal. Allow yourself to go wherever your thoughts take you. This will provide more organic insight into your most pressing feelings.
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   Talk to a therapist or dream specialist. If you’re having trouble interpreting your dreams on your own, talk to a dream expert to gain more insight into why poop may be constantly appearing in your subconscious. In addition, getting in touch with a therapist can help you get in touch with your emotions. Unpacking the baggage that your poop dreams represent can help flush the dreams away entirely.
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