The sacred meal has always been an integral part of most systems of belief. Food is such a vehicle for the life force and for sharing in community that this type of meal becomes an important spiritual concept. It carries this significance in dreams. Banquets, festivals and feasts in dreams all represent man's capacity for enjoyment. A meal, whether in company or alone, signifies our appreciation of the gifts of nature. From a purely practical viewpoint a meal eaten alone represents an aspect of self-nurturing; when eating in company, a convivial social process. In dreams, such images help to widen our perspective to encompass the needs of others. Offering a meal to a beggar would signify our need to share what we have. You might also like to consult the entries for Festival, Food and Party.