Not everyone pays close attention to their fingernails. At least, not unless you have them done. But when they do, it becomes clear that these often neglected parts bear a wonderful message in your spiritual journey.
In the context of spirituality, your fingernails represent protection against negative energies in life. It takes after its biological purpose, which is to safeguard the hands from microbial harm.
If you see fingernails in your dreams or even in your everyday encounter, and they start to manifest more often, it could suggest the need for strengthened protection from elements that disturb your peace.
What Do Fingernails Symbolize?
Fingernails are more than just accents on your fingers, they have a vital function in your body. Without your fingernails, you become prone to different diseases that can leave your body weak and failing. Fingernails prevent this by trapping viruses and bacteria from getting into the bloodstream.
So, by studying this natural design from fingernails, we understand its connection with the spiritual world. Mainly, through the following gifts and virtues it represents:
Protection
Seeing fingernails in your dream or your everyday life brings the message of protection.
You may have been neglecting your health, making you prone to illnesses, or there could be an external force that requires more protection from your end. This is especially true if you see broken fingernails.
Either way, encountering fingernails more often than usual suggests reevaluating your physical and spiritual wellness.
Strength
Robust fingernails signify good health. In turn, it also represents the tip of your spiritual strength. Chipped fingernails can be a warning from your spiritual guide telling you to be more vigilant against people or events that challenge your stability.
Growth
Fingernails grow to reinforce the necessary covering. Therefore, it has been associated with short-term growth that contributes to achieving your goals. Valuing such change allows you to take small but significant steps toward your dreams.
Meaning of Fingernails in Christianity
There are only a few verses where fingernails appeared in the bible. Most of them are representations of hygiene and metamorphosis.
For example, Daniel 4:33 describes the transformation of Nebuchadnezzar, including the changes in his nails, which have become similar to a bird’s claw as a result of his defiance to God. In this context, the fingernails symbolized humanity and acceptance to society. By having it turned into a claw, it represents God’s wrath and integrity.
While the mention of fingernails in the bible is scarce, trimming fingernails have become an integral part of the Christian culture. However, this goes beyond hygiene and safety. Long, pointy fingernails are often associated with beasts and even Satan.
You can see literature and art depicting the devil with horns and long fingernails. Aside from the hideousness of the untrimmed nails, it is also assumed as a weapon or tool to inflict pain among humans.
Nevertheless, Christians adhere to the understanding that fingernails, small as they are, provide protection but only with proper control. Therefore, having your nails grow beyond the accepted norm is frowned upon due to the potential harm they can cause to you and to others.
Meaning of Fingernails in Different Cultures
Over the course of aesthetic history, embellished fingernails have become a status symbol of affluence and royalty. Nowadays, those who consistently have their fingernails painted are deemed to have no necessity for manual work.
Also, women who can keep their fingernails clean and long also represent a higher status in society. This is especially true in ancient China.
Visual evidence has shown that elite Chinese during the earliest dynasty showed imperial family members to have long fingernails. Moreover, Confucius also had a portrait where he was clasping his hands, and his long fingernails are pretty apparent.
Fingernails Dream Meaning
You may have dreamed of fingernails more than once in your life. Most of the time, they may appear uninteresting. But when they are given too much highlight, it’s time to decipher their meaning.
Dirty Fingernails
Fingernails have to be groomed and trimmed, similar to how we nurture and take good care of our self-worth. So, if you dream of dirty fingernails, it’s usually not positive news as far as your self-image is concerned.
This could mean that you are harboring feelings and self-criticisms that hurt your self-worth. You may also have insecurities you try to bury deep down, forcing their way into the surface of your everyday life.
If these dreams become repetitive, it’s best to take a pause and evaluate your opinions about yourself. Also, you may want to look into how you take care of yourself.
Broken Fingernails
If you have chipped or broken fingernails in your dream, you might encounter minor inconveniences along the way.
Likewise, this can also be tied up with the need for several changes in your life, such as letting go of past painful experiences or confronting certain people in your life.
Most of the time, a broken finger, especially at the tip, calls for trimming or removal of the damaged part. By taking this wisdom in, you can live a better life free of the baggage that weighs you down.
Cutting Fingernails
When you dream of cutting your fingernails, it could signify the need for sacrifice. You may have several aspects in your life that need cleansing or letting go. But, on the other hand, it could be an opportunities or present comfort you’re experiencing.
Nevertheless, if you decide to sacrifice these things, know that they would all be returned exponentially. Remember that fingernails grow back in time, making the cut worth it.
Putting Nail Polish
Painting your nails with polish is like embellishing your personality. So when you dream of this scenario, it suggests several things depending on where you are in your life right now.
It could mean hiding or suppressing a secret or damage in your life. On the other hand, it could also suggest that you focus on trivial issues rather than deep-seated ones.
On the other hand, putting on nail polish can also suggest progress and prosperity with the aid of your creativity. Likewise, you will possibly encounter positive changes soon that improve your self-worth.
Long Fingernails
If you have long fingernails in your dream, you will have to recall whether they are clean or not.
If they are well-groomed, it’s a positive omen suggesting a coming fortune or opportunity in your life. However, if the long fingernails are dirty and have simply overgrown due to lack of care, it may symbolize an upcoming hardship in your life.
Biting Fingernails
People often bite their fingernails when they are nervous or jittery. So, if you dream of nibbling on your nails, it could suggest a potential failure on your way. Likewise, you may experience some downfalls due to unwise decisions, laziness, or succumbing to pressure.
Summary
Fingernails bring different messages depending on where you are in your spiritual journey. However, since they are easily neglected and often deemed trivial elements of life, it’s likely to miss their message.
However, if you start becoming more aware of how they manifest in your daily encounters, you can benefit from the protection, wisdom, strength, growth, and stability that fingernails represent.