In the Bible, nakedness carries layered meanings. Before the Fall, Adam and Eve's nakedness signified innocence and unselfconsciousness (Genesis 2:25). After their disobedience, nakedness became a symbol of shame, guilt, and the loss of innocence (Genesis 3:7,10-11). Prophets such as Isaiah and Ezekiel used nakedness as a prophetic sign of judgment, humiliation, or the exposure of sin (Isaiah 20:2-4; Ezekiel 16:37-39). Therefore, dreaming of being naked may symbolize spiritual vulnerability, a sense of guilt, or the exposure of hidden faults. Alternatively, it can also reflect a longing to return to a state of innocence and honest relationship with God.

In Buddhist symbolism, nakedness represents the shedding of attachments, illusions, and the ego, exposing the mind's true nature. Such dreams may reflect vulnerability on the path to enlightenment, where one must confront inner fears and desires. The dream can be a call to practice mindfulness, non-attachment, and acceptance of impermanence, embracing the bare reality of existence.

Across cultures, dreams of being naked are widespread and often reflect universal anxieties about social acceptance, embarrassment, and fear of judgment. In societies where nudity is taboo, such dreams symbolize feelings of unpreparedness or exposure. Conversely, some indigenous traditions view nakedness as a return to primal authenticity or connection with nature. The cultural context shapes whether nakedness is seen as shameful or liberating.

In Hindu dream interpretation, nakedness can symbolize both spiritual purity and vulnerability. Ascetics (sadhus) sometimes practice nudity (digambara) as a sign of renunciation and liberation from worldly ties. However, involuntary nakedness in dreams may signal anxiety, fear of social disgrace, or karmic exposure. The dream's auspiciousness depends on context and the dreamer's emotional state.

Islamic dream interpretation (ta'bir) views nakedness as a multifaceted symbol. According to classical interpreters like Ibn Sirin, being naked in a dream may indicate the exposure of secrets, loss of dignity, or poverty. If the dreamer feels ashamed, it suggests disgrace or fear of public humiliation. However, if the dreamer feels no shame, it can represent spiritual purity, freedom from hypocrisy, or sincere repentance—especially if the nakedness occurs in a sacred context such as a mosque. The dream's emotional tone and context are crucial for interpretation.

From a psychological perspective, dreaming of being naked is commonly associated with feelings of vulnerability, exposure, or anxiety about being judged. Freud interpreted such dreams as expressions of repressed desires or social anxieties, while Jung saw them as archetypal symbols of authenticity or the confrontation with one's shadow self. The dream's emotional tone—whether embarrassment, shame, or confidence—reveals the dreamer's relationship to self-acceptance, social norms, and personal authenticity.

Spiritually, nakedness in dreams can represent the stripping away of ego, pretenses, and societal masks, revealing the true self. This state may signal a period of spiritual awakening, where the dreamer seeks authenticity and transparency before the divine or the universe. Some traditions interpret such dreams as invitations to embrace one's imperfections and stand honestly in the presence of higher truth.