Well known for their single-minded roles and cooperative behavior, bees epitomize industry and teamwork. They are bred for performing a single task and they live only to carry it out. These amazing little creatures play an invaluable role in the distribution of pollen to aid in the bearing of fruit and vegetables around the world. But, unlike other insects or animals with similar traits, bees have two unique identifying characteristics: They transform nectar into honey, and they defend their hive, honey and queen with a sacrificial sting. They can sting only once in their lifetime and stinging brings about their own demise.

Seeing a single bee in your dream differs from seeing a swarm. A single bee is not a threat. In waking life, a swarm of bees is rarely a threat either because swarming bees are in the process of relocating their hive and their bellies are full of honey which interferes with their stinging reflex. Not that swarming bees can’t sting, but they’d prefer not to—they have to transport their valuable honey! But because most people aren’t aware of this, they associate a swarm of bees as a serious threat.

As with other dream symbols, it is very important to consider your feelings that they elicit. Are the bees threatening to you? Are you getting stung? Or are the bees or bee simply appearing before you?

Also, listen to your intuition and higher self. Is this bee *you* the dreamer? You will sense an inner knowing.

Common bee dream symbols
Being stung by a bee. Getting hurt (emotionally, psychologically, spiritually) by someone or some event.
Being attacked by a swarm of bees. Getting hurt by a large group of people. Common dream of those who feel their fellow co-workers are gossiping about them or sabotaging career efforts.
Seeing a swarm of bees. If the bees seem angry, then the dreamer fears being attacked. If the bees are simply moving their hive, this indicates that there will be some changes in one’s work environment.
Seeing bees going about their work. Simply observing bees working and gathering nectar is a positive dream about productivity and cooperation.

Seeing a single bee. Reflect to see if this bee represents a person in dreamer’s life or is the dreamer himself. Clues will be found in the other symbols in the dream and overall feeling of the dreamer.
Seeing a bee on a flower. If you work hard, you’ll find resources for wealth.
Seeing a golden bee. Gold is an auspicious omen so a golden bee often indicates abundance, wealth, positive reputation, power, spiritual goodness along with the other attributes of bees.
Seeing a bee of a different color. Consider the color and its meaning and relate it to the other qualities of a bee. For example, a yellow bee could indicate cheerful industry.

A sick or weak bee. Losing one’s ability to work.
Africanized bee or bees. Although the actual sting of an Africanized honeybee is no more potent or painful than a European honeybee, Africanized bees have more aggressive personalities and tend to sting in larger numbers. They also will pursue a victim over longer distances. To dream of an African honeybee in particular indicates a threatening person, possibly a co-worker.

Common idioms and sayings
“Busy as a bee.”
“Stings like a bee.”
“Got a bee in your bonnet?”
“Like a swarm of bees.”
“The birds and the bees.”
“The Queen Bee.”
“He who would gather honey must endure the sting of bees.”
“No bees, no honey, no work, no money.”
“The buzzing of flies does not turn them into bees.”