In biblical symbolism, bottles are multifaceted vessels. Psalm 56:8 speaks of God collecting tears in a bottle, emphasizing divine attentiveness to human sorrow and the preservation of every prayer and emotion. The parable of new wine in old bottles (Matthew 9:17) warns against confining new spiritual revelations within outdated or rigid frameworks, suggesting the need for spiritual adaptability. Thus, dreaming of a bottle may reflect the containment or preservation of spiritual experiences, emotions, or prayers, but can also serve as a caution against spiritual stagnation or the dangers of resisting necessary change.

In Buddhist symbolism, a bottle may represent the mind as a vessel for thoughts, desires, and karmic imprints. Filling, emptying, or breaking a bottle can symbolize the processes of attachment, release, and transformation. An empty bottle may allude to śūnyatā (emptiness), the realization of the mind's true nature, while a sealed bottle suggests clinging to desires or ignorance. The bottle thus serves as a metaphor for the mind's capacity to hold, let go, or transcend attachments.

Culturally, bottles are rich symbols of preservation, communication, and celebration. They store precious liquids—water, wine, medicine—signifying the safeguarding of resources, emotions, or memories. A broken bottle can represent loss, danger, or the shattering of boundaries, while an empty bottle may symbolize missed opportunities or emotional depletion. The motif of sending a message in a bottle is a universal symbol of hope, longing, and the desire for connection across time and distance. Bottles thus embody both the preservation and the vulnerability of what we value.

In Hindu dream interpretation, a bottle can symbolize the body as a vessel for the atman (soul) or prana (life force). A full bottle may indicate abundance of spiritual energy, blessings, or alignment with divine purpose, while a broken or empty bottle could signify loss of vitality, spiritual neglect, or disconnection from the divine. Bottles may also relate to maya (illusion), as the form both contains and limits the essence within. The state of the bottle reflects the dreamer's spiritual health, vitality, and connection to the higher self.

In Islamic dream interpretation, a bottle (قنينة, qunnina) often represents a person, particularly a woman, or serves as a metaphor for the containment of secrets, emotions, or trust. Ibn Sirin notes that a bottle filled with liquid may symbolize the dreamer's inner state or the trust others place in them. Breaking a bottle can indicate the loss of trust, the exposure of secrets, or emotional vulnerability. The bottle's condition—full, empty, broken, or sealed—reflects the dreamer's integrity, emotional state, and the safeguarding or revelation of inner matters.

Psychologically, bottles in dreams are potent symbols of containment, repression, and the boundaries of the self. A sealed or full bottle may indicate suppressed emotions, thoughts, or desires, while a broken or open bottle can symbolize the release—sometimes explosive—of pent-up feelings. Searching for a bottle may reflect a quest for emotional fulfillment, self-understanding, or a solution to an internal conflict. The bottle thus embodies the psyche's mechanisms for managing, storing, or expressing emotional content and personal boundaries.

Spiritually, a bottle is a vessel for the essence, soul, or spiritual energy. It can represent the body as a container for the spirit, or the act of nurturing and safeguarding spiritual insights. An empty bottle may indicate spiritual depletion or longing, while a full or sealed bottle suggests untapped potential, wisdom, or spiritual gifts awaiting expression. The bottle's state mirrors the dreamer's spiritual condition and readiness to share or receive spiritual nourishment.