Wine Symbolism & Meaning (Friendship & Gluttony)

Wine has many different symbols and meanings throughout literature and history.

Some more common meanings that wine can have include friendship, happiness, transformation, and blessings.

It is said that wine was discovered in 7000 b.c so it’s safe to say that there is a fair amount of history and symbolism when it comes to wine. People drank wine in ancient China, ancient Rome, and it was a favorite for the ancient Greeks who even had a god of wine. 

Even in modern-day society wine is something people drink together at the dinner table, go on wine tours, and much more. If you want to know some of the things wine symbolizes in-depth, then keep reading below.

Wine Symbolism & Meaning

What does Wine Symbolize?

1. Friendship

Wine symbolizes the deepening of friendships and honest, meaningful conversations. 

It is not uncommon that you will find groups of people sitting around sharing a glass of wine or two. It has been used throughout history to join people together and to talk about life and other things in an honest and open way.

If you are looking for ways to deepen your connection with people, wine might just be the answer. It is a great drink to share over a lovely home cooked meal and is sure to get the conversation flowing.

2. Happiness

Wine can symbolize happiness, joy, laughter, and celebration. 

Wine and celebration have gone hand in hand since ancient times. There wasn’t a celebration in Rome where wine wasn’t involved, this also seems to stand in this day and age. Most celebrations these days also involve drinking a glass of wine or two. 

It has also been scientifically proven that alcohol such as wine boosts our endorphins in certain areas of the brain. Drinking a glass of wine releases the endorphins that give us pleasure and reward. 

If you are planning on celebrating a joyous occasion then it goes without saying that you should definitely pick up a bottle of wine or two.

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3. Transformation

Wine is a powerful symbol of transformation. 

Just looking at the process of making wine is awe-inspiring in itself. What starts as a grape turns into something completely different. This is a powerful transformation as the grape does this all by itself. 

Wine is a symbol of transformation which is also something nearly everyone will experience at least once in their lifetime.

While it is easy to see the transformation happen to the grapes, sometimes within ourselves it can be a little more difficult. Wine is a great metaphor for the transformation that everyone goes through on their life’s journey.

4. Blessings

Wine symbolizes divine blessings and has many connections to many different gods.

There are many references to Christianity when it comes to wine. In most churches, people will drink a small sip of wine when partaking in communion.

The wine is considered to be the blood of Jesus Christ and is supposed to bless those who partake. 

The ancient Greeks used wine to communicate with their gods and also had a god that was the god of wine known as Dionysus.

Dionysus was celebrated and worshipped by many Greeks in that time as the wine represented the life force coursing through their veins. Many still celebrate these old holidays by indulging in a glass of wine. 

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5. Gluttony

Dionysus, the Greek god of wine, is now also a symbol of gluttony, party, and excess.

Many people to this day see wine as a vice that can lead to moral depravity. When people get drunk, they lose their inhibitions and make bad decisions.

So, when seen in a negative sense (e.g. wine spilling out of a cup, intoxicated people, or partying Greek gods), wine symbolizes the gluttony of the elite.

People who dream about overflowing wine cups and intoxication on wine may be getting a message from their subconscious that they’ve been too glutinous lately. These people might consider being more frugal and healthy for a while.

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Wine Dream Meanings

Wine in a dream is interpreted in many ways. Dream interpretations are also very subjective and differ from person to person. Make sure you mediate and journal on your dream.

Below, however, are some examples of possible interpretations of different wine dreams.

Dream About WineExample of a Possible Interpretation
A dream about drinking wineTo dream of drinking wine denotes that a joyous occasion may soon occur. It can also mean that you are about to make a new friendship or deepen an existing one with someone who will make a mark on your life.
A dream about breaking a bottle of wine intentionallyTo dream of breaking a bottle of wine intentionally denotes that you have passion pent up in your body and need to find a fun release. It can also mean that the stress of your daily life is now affecting other areas of your life as well.
A dream about barrels of wine or a wine cellarTo dream of barrels of wine or a wine cellar denotes that you may soon find yourself living it up in luxury. It can also denote that you may spend time doing pleasurable things in the near future.
A dream about a wine glassTo dream of a wine glass can denote that you may experience some sort of disappointment in your life in the near future.
A dream about red wineTo dream of red wine can denote that passion, lust, and love are coming to you in the near future. This can be in the form of a romantic relationship or it can mean that you need to explore and nurture these qualities within yourself. Dreaming of red wine can also mean that a job opportunity may arise.
A dream about white wineTo dream of white wine can denote that the universe is trying to send you a message. White wine can also mean that the time is right to transform yourself and focus on the goals you want to achieve for the future.
A dream about drinking wine aloneIf you are drinking wine alone in your dreams it means the time is right to focus on yourself.
A dream about drinking wine with friendsIf you are drinking with others in your dreams it means that you will need to assess your current relationships and cut out people who are no longer aligned with your life’s purpose.

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Conclusion

Wine has been around for a very long time and is intertwined with many different religions and cultures across the world. It is deeply rooted in Christianity, ancient Greece, ancient China, and more.

Some gods represent wine itself and the life force it gives us. It also represents the blood of Christ and his sacrifice for mankind.  In every culture, it is a powerful symbol that can mean all sorts of great things. 

It can bring happiness, transformation, friendship, and blessings into our lives regardless of our religious beliefs. There is no doubt that the symbolism of wine is a powerful one that is still powerful to this day. It has even been scientifically proven to boost endorphins and our moods.

While it has ties to ancient times and cultures it is no doubt still relevant today. So many celebrations, dinners, gatherings, and religious rituals still use wine to this day.