In biblical tradition, oil is a multifaceted symbol. It represents anointing and the setting apart of individuals for sacred service, as seen in the consecration of kings, priests, and prophets (Exodus 30:22-33; 1 Samuel 16:13). Oil is also a metaphor for the Holy Spirit's presence and empowerment (1 Samuel 16:13; Isaiah 61:1). In the New Testament, oil is linked to healing (James 5:14) and spiritual preparedness, most notably in the parable of the wise and foolish virgins (Matthew 25:1-13), where oil signifies readiness for the coming of the divine. Dreaming of oil, therefore, may point to divine favor, spiritual empowerment, healing, or a call to renewed consecration and vigilance.

Although oil is not a prominent symbol in canonical Buddhist texts, it is often used in practice as fuel for lamps, which symbolize the light of wisdom dispelling ignorance. The steady burning of an oil lamp can represent the continuous cultivation of mindfulness and insight. Dreaming of oil may thus reflect the need to sustain one's spiritual practice, maintain clarity, or avoid dissipating one's energy through distractions or heedlessness.

Across cultures, oil is valued as a source of light, nourishment, healing, and wealth. It is associated with hospitality, care, and the sustenance of life. In dreams, oil may reflect concerns about resources, vitality, or the need for maintenance in personal or communal life. Spilling oil can evoke anxieties about waste, environmental harm, or personal mismanagement, while burning oil lamps often symbolize hope, continuity, and the endurance of tradition.

In Hinduism, oil is integral to rituals (puja), where it is used for anointing deities and lighting lamps (diyas), symbolizing purity, prosperity, and the dispelling of darkness. Oil lamps are central to festivals like Diwali, representing the triumph of light over ignorance. Dreaming of oil may suggest spiritual cleansing, removal of obstacles, or the awakening of the inner self (Atman). The act of lighting or offering oil can also signify a desire for divine blessings and inner illumination.

In Islamic dream interpretation, oil—especially olive oil—embodies blessing, lawful sustenance, and spiritual illumination. The Qur’an (24:35) references the blessed olive tree, symbolizing purity and divine light. Classical interpreters like Ibn Sirin associate seeing oil in dreams with prosperity, health, and guidance. However, negative contexts such as spilling oil may warn of squandered blessings, heedlessness, or spiritual neglect. The purity and clarity of the oil in the dream can further indicate the clarity of one’s faith and intentions.

From a psychological perspective, oil in dreams often symbolizes the 'lubrication' necessary for emotional and mental well-being. It can represent healing, adaptability, and the resources the psyche uses to maintain harmony and smooth functioning. Jungian analysis might see oil as an archetype of transformation, facilitating the integration of unconscious material. Spilling oil could reflect anxieties about losing control, wasting energy, or emotional turmoil, while applying oil suggests active self-care and maintenance of psychological health.

Spiritually, oil is a universal emblem of blessing, illumination, and sacred connection. Used in rituals for anointing and healing, it is seen as a conduit for divine energy and grace. Dreaming of oil may indicate a period of spiritual renewal, the flow of sacred energy, or a call to nurture one's inner light. A burning oil lamp, for instance, can symbolize enduring faith, guidance, and the steady presence of the divine within.