In the biblical context, déjà vu in dreams may be interpreted as a subtle nudge from God, urging the dreamer to recognize spiritual patterns or lessons that have not yet been fully understood or integrated. The Bible frequently uses dreams as a medium for divine communication (Genesis 41, Daniel 2), and the sensation of familiarity or repetition in dreams can be seen as God's way of highlighting unresolved spiritual matters or lessons that continue to cycle through one's life. This echoes the wisdom of Ecclesiastes 1:9: 'What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.' Such dreams may serve as a call to seek wisdom, discernment, and faithful response to God's ongoing guidance.

In Buddhism, déjà vu in dreams can be viewed as a manifestation of samsara—the endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth—where patterns repeat until insight is gained. The sensation of familiarity may be a reflection of karma, with the dreamer revisiting unresolved attachments or habitual tendencies (vasanas). Such dreams provide an opportunity for mindfulness (sati), encouraging the dreamer to break free from cycles of ignorance and attain greater awareness.

Culturally, déjà vu in dreams is widely regarded as a mysterious and sometimes unsettling phenomenon, often linked to fate, prophecy, or ancestral memory. In many societies, it is believed to be a sign that one is on the right path, or that the dreamer is tapping into collective memory or ancestral wisdom. Alternatively, it may serve as a warning to pay attention to overlooked details or to avoid repeating past mistakes.

In Hinduism, déjà vu in dreams is often associated with samskaras—impressions from past actions or even past lives that shape present experiences. The repetition or familiarity in dreams may be the surfacing of these latent impressions, giving the dreamer a chance to recognize and work through karmic patterns. Such dreams may also be interpreted as glimpses into the continuity of the soul (atman) across lifetimes, and as an invitation to pursue self-realization (moksha).

In Islamic tradition, dreams are considered a significant channel for messages from Allah, the self, or even Shaytan. The experience of déjà vu in a dream could be interpreted as a reminder to reflect on qadar (divine decree) and the repetitive nature of human experience. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught that some dreams are true (ru'ya), while others stem from the subconscious or external influences. Feeling repetition or familiarity in a dream may be Allah’s way of urging the dreamer to attend to unresolved issues, reflect on past actions, or recognize the consequences of their deeds, as nothing escapes Allah’s knowledge (Surah Al-Zalzalah 99:7-8).

From a psychological perspective, déjà vu in dreams is often seen as the mind’s attempt to process recurring thoughts, unresolved conflicts, or familiar emotional patterns. Both Freud and Jung observed that dreams can surface repressed material, and the sensation of déjà vu may indicate the unconscious mind recognizing a pattern or memory that the conscious mind has overlooked. This phenomenon can also reflect anxiety about being trapped in repetitive life cycles or a desire to break free from habitual responses and routines.

Spiritually, déjà vu in dreams is frequently interpreted as a sign of soul memory or the interconnectedness of all experiences across time and space. Many spiritual traditions suggest that déjà vu signals alignment with one’s soul path or the surfacing of echoes from past lives, parallel realities, or spiritual lessons yet to be integrated. Such dreams may serve as a call to awaken to the deeper meaning of current circumstances and to trust in the unfolding of one’s spiritual journey.