A runny nose can seem like just an annoyance, but some believe it may have a deeper spiritual significance. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the various spiritual meanings associated with a runny nose.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: According to techniques like reflexology and BodyTalk, a runny nose can symbolize the releasing of stuck emotions and the need to forgive.
We’ll cover the spiritual meanings from a variety of perspectives including Chinese medicine, ayurveda, numerology, and more. You’ll also learn about associated dream symbolism, superstitions, and natural remedies.
The Emotional Release Theory
Releasing Stuck Emotions
According to some spiritual teachers, a runny nose can signify the body releasing old, stuck emotions that need to come up and out. When we experience emotional pain or trauma, we often unconsciously tense up and hold those difficult feelings in our body.
A runny nose may indicate that the body is now relaxed enough to start letting go of some of that pent-up emotion or energy. It is allowing us to literally “blow” or expel what we have been holding on to, whether consciously or unconsciously.
Call to Forgive
From a metaphysical perspective, a runny nose can also represent a call to forgive – both ourselves and others. Nasal passages and sinuses often correspond to the emotional area of grievances and regrets in energy healing frameworks.
So if we feel we have been wronged or are dealing with guilt, a runny nose could signify it is time to practice forgiveness and move into a freer emotional space. As we let go of grudges, we free up more energy for joy.
Flushing Out What No Longer Serves
Some energy healers liken a runny nose to a form of “emotional detox.” Just as we might drink lots of fluids when cleansing physically, excess mucus can likewise help flush out old hurts, habits, thought patterns, or beliefs that no longer serve our highest good.
The liquid flowing out can represent the dissolving of energetic or emotional blockages. As this happens, we make more room for spiritual opening and for that which is life-affirming to flow in.
TCM and Ayurvedic Views on Nasal Fluid
Imbalanced Elements in TCM
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a runny nose can indicate an imbalance in the body’s elements (1). Specifically, excessive nasal discharge often relates to the water element being out of harmony.
TCM recognizes five major elements – water, wood, fire, earth, and metal – that exist in a delicate balance to maintain health.
The water element in TCM is associated with fluids, moisture, and the cold. When the water element is deficient or in excess, fluids can overflow in the form of a runny nose. As acupuncturist Dr. Xingmei Liu explains, “A runny nose results when your defensive qi (2) is weakened, allowing external pathogenic factors to attack the lungs and the water passages.”
So in TCM philosophy, nasal discharge signals that the water energy in the body has become excessive and is pushing fluids outward through the nasal passages. Treatment focuses on rebalancing the water element, often by using warming herbs to diffuse the excess coldness and fluids associated with that element.
Excess Kapha Dosha in Ayurveda
Ayurveda, a traditional Indian medicinal practice, also examines nasal fluid from an elemental perspective. Specifically, excess nasal mucus relates to an accumulation of Kapha dosha – theAyurvedic humor connected to water and earth.
As Ayurvedic physician Dr. John Douillard describes, “The heavy, cold, damp and sticky qualities of Kapha reflect the qualities of mucus (3).” So when Kapha builds up beyond healthy levels in the body, one symptom can be a flow of mucus from the nasal passages.
Ayurveda identifies six distinct tastes that help balance the doshas. To counteract excessive Kapha and nasal discharge, Ayurveda prescribes astringent, bitter, and pungent flavors to lighten, dry, and stimulate the excess mucus.
Foods like honey, ginger, black pepper, and pomegranate are common recommendations.(4)
| TCM View | Ayurvedic View |
|---|---|
| Excess fluids from imbalanced water element | Accumulation of cold, damp Kapha dosha |
| Treat with warming herbs | Treat by lightening with astringent, bitter, pungent tastes |
While TCM and Ayurveda have some distinct perspectives on nasal discharge, they share a view of this symptom as related to an elemental imbalance in the body. Both practices offer time-tested natural treatments focused on reestablishing harmony among those elements.
Associated Dream Symbolism
Letting Go of Control
According to Carl Jung, a runny nose in our dreams often represents a feeling that aspects of our life are out of our hands. We may be trying too hard to control situations or relationships, leading to tension, anxiety and even feelings of powerlessness.
Letting go allows us to regain balance and inner peace. Dream analysts suggest examining where you may be gripping too tightly and opening your hands to release control. This allows things to unfold naturally without the ego’s unnecessary interference.
By relaxing your grip, you tap into intuition and inner wisdom about how to navigate challenges. Imagine your dream nose is a faucet pouring out old stagnant energy to make room for fresh vitality. What might flow in when you surrender control?
Childhood Shame or Trauma
Dreams about a runny nose can also relate to unresolved feelings of shame or trauma from childhood, especially issues around expression or personal boundaries.
A runny nose represents emotions leaking out unconsciously when they need compassionate attention. Reflect on any painful memories around punishment for expressing feelings, having needs, or asserting personal boundaries as a child. Journaling or talking to a counselor can help heal these old wounds.
As you show understanding toward the hurt inner child, the unconscious leaks begin to dry up. You reclaim the right to honor your feelings, needs and boundaries today. The dream nose reminds us that suppressed emotions will find a way out until they are addressed with self-love.
| Associating a runny nose in dreams with letting go and inner child work is backed by psychologists like Carl Jung and dream interpretation guides like Dreams123. By exploring the symbolism, we can find deeper meaning for growth. |
Numerology and Angel Numbers
Seeing 222 with a Runny Nose
The angel number 222 carries a powerful message of faith and harmony. When you notice 222 repeating while dealing with a runny nose, your guardian angels may be sending you signs to have faith that this too shall pass.
Runny noses, while annoying, are usually temporary and part of the body’s natural defenses against illness.
Seeing 222 is a reminder to find balance and harmony within yourself, even during times of discomfort. The numerology meaning of 222 asks that you nurture self-trust and inner peace through spiritual practices like meditation, prayer, or affirmations.
Maintain positivity through the sniffles by focusing on the good in your life.
Angel number 222 also represents unity and cooperation with those around you. By banding together during sickness, whether receiving love from family or getting advice from doctors, you can find the support needed to recover more smoothly.
Leaning on others demonstrates interdependence in trying times.
777 and Clearing Chakra Blockages
In spirituality, the number 777 symbolizes spiritual awakening and purging what no longer serves you. Seeing 777 with a runny nose may indicate blocked energy centers in need of clearing.
According to chakra healing, our noses house the sixth chakra, responsible for intuition and perception. When congested or blocked, we may struggle understanding ourselves clearly. The constant drip of a runny nose reminds us to open and release that which clouds our vision and judgement.
The angel number 777 suggests clearing clutter or stagnation to create space for new gifts and personal growth. Reflection on how your thoughts, beliefs, and habits may not serve your highest good can guide the letting go process. What lingering bitterness, guilt, or doubt requires release?
By unclogging chakras through self-work, sound healing, meditation, yoga, or other spiritual practices, your power centers can flow freely again. As you regain energetic alignment and clarity, the runny nose may dry up on its own by resolving underlying energetic causes.
| Angel Number | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 222 | Faith, harmony, cooperation |
| 777 | Spiritual awakening, purging, energetic clearing |
In essence, listening to the messages behind the sniffles can reveal opportunities for self-improvement if you know how to interpret them. What lessons about balance, boundaries, or new beginnings hide behind your runny nose?
Folklore and Superstitions
Pregnancy Omens
In early European folklore, a runny nose was sometimes seen as a sign of early pregnancy. This odd omens stems from the idea that pregnancy causes inflammation and secretion of mucus membranes, potentially leading to a runny nose.
Of course, modern medicine shows us a runny nose has many causes outside of pregnancy. But this nose superstition persists in some circles, with some women even reporting a random runny nose before realizing they’re pregnant!
So next time you have the sniffles with no apparent cause, who knows – maybe a baby is on the way. 😉
Death Harbinger
Dating back to Greek mythology, there has been an odd link between runny noses and death. It was said that during the last few weeks before death, the nose runs with a clear, watery discharge believed to be related to the death process.
This strange omen connecting nasal secretions and impending death has carried into modern folklore across several cultures. For example, some say a spontaneous runny nose without illness means a friend or family member will soon pass away.
Of course most runny noses have no deeper meaning, but the mythology linking them to death and dying continues to fascinate. Next time you get an odd runny nose with no explanation, you may jokingly wonder who you know that isn’t long for this world! 💀
Visits from the Spirit Realm
According to superstitions in multiple cultures, a runny nose can signify a supernatural encounter – specifically, a sign that spirits or ghosts are trying to make contact! This odd belief connects unexpected nasal drainage with visions, sensing a presence, or other unexplained phenomena tied to spirits.
Some say it’s because the Divine or paranormal realm carries different energies or frequencies than our physical world, and our nose reacts by leaking fluid as a cue we’re perceiving something extraordinary.
Skeptics would dismiss such far-fetched superstitions, but stories persist of people reporting runny noses, chills, or tingling skin when they believe they see ghosts or have a brush with the supernatural world! Perhaps there’s some deeper connection modern science doesn’t yet understand. 👻
Conclusion
As we’ve explored, a wide range of spiritual meanings can be ascribed to something as common as a runny nose. While science may explain it as simply having a cold, the metaphysical views shed light on the deeper emotional and energetic releases it may represent.
Rather than just reaching for the tissues, take your runny nose as a sign to check in with what needs forgiveness, balance, or release in your life. Use it as an opportunity to care for body, mind, and spirit.
