Seeing strung pearls signifies the Qur'an, knowledge, or a child. Drilling a pearl signifies understanding the Qur'an well and interpreting it correctly. Swallowing or selling a pearl, by contrast, signifies forgetting the Qur'an. Pearls also signify knowledge. Receiving a bowl full of pearls signifies abundant knowledge, honor and distinction, and fame among people. Throwing pearls into a well or river signifies doing good and showing generosity to people.
Ibn Sirin said that pearls signify a beautiful wife or beautiful servant. Possessing many pearls signifies abundant wealth and blessings. Being given pearls signifies greatness and honor, while counting pearls signifies hardship and toil.
Ja'far al-Sadiq said that pearls are interpreted in eight ways: knowledge, the Qur'an, wisdom, skill and broad learning, lawful wealth, a beautiful wife, noble children, and a faithful friend. Pearls coming from one's mouth signify preaching and counsel, piety, and scrupulousness.
Finding a string of pearls signifies reading the Qur'an and teaching it to others. Pearls may also signify wealth, a servant, and beautiful speech. Swallowing a pearl signifies knowledge and wisdom. Nabulsi said that many pearls signify servants and, for someone awaiting an inheritance, abundant property that will become his. Many pearls signify knowledge for a scholar, continuation in office for a governor, trade for a merchant, and their crafts for artisans. Large pearls are better than small ones and may signify the long surahs of the Qur'an. For a pregnant woman, large pearls signify a male child. Pearls signify goodness and blessing for women: an unmarried woman marries; a married woman has a child; and a woman who already has a child gains wealth.
Seeing oneself take a pearl from one's wife, hide it in a chest, and cover it with cloth signifies having a daughter by that woman.