The physical as opposed to the spiritual body is sometimes represented as a cradle or babys crib. An empty cradle can represent a woman?s fear of childlessness or her fears of motherhood, depending on the other aspects of the dream. It may also suggest a lack of creativity or new ideas. A crib was initially a food receptacle, although today it can suggest a new life. To dream of a cradle or crib can represent new life or new beginnings. As a precognitive dream a cradle can represent pregnancy, while in a mans dream it can represent the need to return to a womblike, protected state.