Sleep Omens: What Your Sleeping Habits Mean
Old Thai households watched how people slept and read their positions and habits as small signs of what lay ahead. Here are the traditional sayings, for curiosity and fun.
Health note: snoring, teeth grinding, kicking or talking in your sleep can have medical causes such as stress or sleep apnoea. If they disturb your rest, talk to a doctor.
Sleeping positions
- Lying on your back, legs straight and arms by your side: happiness.
- Lying face down, or on your back with arms and legs spread wide: take care.
- Curled up with limbs all over the place: a period of trouble.
- Always on your back or always face down: making a living may take extra effort.
- Always on your left side: a time of worry. Always on your right side: you may live away from home for a long time.
- Kicking now and then: look after your money.
- A light sleeper: always content. A very heavy sleeper: prone to low moods.
Face and mouth in sleep
- Smiling in your sleep: the angels are smiling on you.
- Frowning in your sleep: someone will ask for your help.
- Moving the lips silently: success. Grinding your teeth: beware of being blamed by others.
- Chewing in your sleep: something may get lost. Sucking the lips: a disappointment.
- Mouth not quite closed: you will meet an old friend.
- Eyes not fully closed: one eye means a relative misses you; both eyes, a big job is coming.
- Eyes moving under the lids: a relative may feel unwell.
- Coughing without waking: progress for you and your parents. Waking from a cough: a patron will help you. Choking on saliva: small annoyances.
- Talking in your sleep: money is coming. Calling for help in your sleep: a long journey.
Scratching in your sleep
- Head: a gain. Back of the head: news of a relative. Neck: your siblings will prosper.
- Forehead: business will thrive. Cheek: wealth grows. Chin: you will overcome rivals.
- Ear: be careful in matters of the heart. Nose: you will find something you love. Mouth: victory.
- Shoulder: help from your boss. Chest: an important responsibility. Stomach: a senior position.
- Side of the body: someone will help you. Bottom: a comfortable life.
- Arm: peace of mind. Elbow: you will learn something important. Palm: a partner. Back of the hand: relief. Fingers: success at work.
- Knee: happiness. Shin: you will get what you wish for. Calf: a reward.
- Sole: a partner in your plans. Top of the foot: time with children or grandchildren. Toes: abundance.
Twitches in sleep
- Feet twitching: you will meet many people. Knees twitching: someone will get in touch.
- Arms twitching: success through patience and hard work.
- Eyes twitching: someone will come to you for help. Mouth twitching: be careful with strangers.