In the biblical context, moths are explicitly referenced as symbols of decay, impermanence, and the futility of investing in material possessions. Matthew 6:19-20 and Job 13:28 both use the moth as a metaphor for the transient nature of earthly treasures and the inevitable decline of all that is not rooted in the divine. Dreaming of a moth, therefore, may be interpreted as a spiritual nudge to reevaluate one's priorities, warning against the erosion of faith or values by worldly distractions or hidden moral decay. It can also serve as a call to seek lasting spiritual fulfillment over fleeting material gains.

In Buddhist thought, the moth's fatal attraction to flame is a powerful metaphor for attachment and the suffering it brings. Just as moths are drawn to their own destruction by fire, beings are ensnared by desires and illusions (maya), resulting in dukkha (suffering). The moth also symbolizes the potential for transformation through mindfulness and non-attachment. Dreaming of a moth may serve as a reminder to recognize and release attachments, cultivating awareness to avoid being consumed by craving.

Culturally, moths carry a wide range of meanings. In Western folklore, they are often seen as omens of death or misfortune, while in some Indigenous and Eastern traditions, they are regarded as messengers from the spirit world or symbols of transformation. The moth's nocturnal habits and delicate form evoke themes of mystery, vulnerability, and the influence of unseen forces. Dreaming of a moth may reflect cultural anxieties about change, mortality, or the presence of spiritual guidance and transformation.

In Hinduism, the moth's attraction to the flame is a poetic symbol of the soul's longing for union with the divine, sometimes to the point of self-annihilation. The moth embodies both the peril of unchecked desire (kama) and the transformative power of surrender (bhakti). In dreams, a moth may reflect the inner tension between worldly attachments and spiritual aspiration, or the profound transformation that comes from surrendering the ego to a higher power.

While moths are not directly mentioned in the Qur'an or Hadith, Islamic exegesis draws on Surah Al-Qari'ah (101:4), which likens people on the Day of Judgment to scattered moths, emphasizing human vulnerability, confusion, and the dispersal of souls. The moth's attraction to light can be interpreted as the soul's instinctive search for divine guidance, but also as a caution against blindly following desires that may lead to spiritual harm. Dreaming of a moth in this context may reflect a need for spiritual direction, awareness of one's vulnerabilities, or a warning to avoid self-destructive temptations.

Psychologically, particularly from a Jungian perspective, the moth represents the shadow self and unconscious drives. Its nocturnal nature and compulsion toward light mirror the psyche's journey toward self-awareness, sometimes manifesting as self-sabotage or risky behavior. The moth may signal hidden anxieties, compulsions, or unresolved issues that draw the dreamer toward potentially harmful situations. Alternatively, it can symbolize subtle personal transformation, as the moth's metamorphosis reflects the integration of repressed aspects of the self and the emergence of new consciousness.

Spiritually, the moth is often seen as a guide through darkness, symbolizing the soul's journey toward enlightenment or higher truth. Its unwavering attraction to light represents the quest for spiritual understanding, even at the risk of self-sacrifice or dissolution. The moth teaches lessons about embracing vulnerability, trusting intuition, and discerning genuine spiritual guidance from misleading illusions. Dreaming of a moth may signal a period of spiritual awakening, or a warning against being consumed by false beliefs or superficial attractions.