Ten Thousand Dream Interpretation

by Gustavus Hindman Miller
To dream of handling dishes, denotes good fortune; but if from any cause they should be broken, this signifies that fortune will be short-lived for you.

To see shelves of polished dishes, denotes success in marriage.

To dream of dishes, is prognostic of coming success and gain, and you will be able to fully appreciate your good luck. Soiled dishes, represent dissatisfaction and an unpromising future.

See Crockery

New American Dream Dictionary

by Joan Seaman - Tom Philbin
1. A measure of good fortune, sometimes financial security, depending on how full the plate is.

2. Domestic difficulties (broken dishes).

3. Feelings of being overwhelmed—usually with powerful emotions, often responsibilities.

4. Repressed feelings of sexual attraction to another (old-fashioned word­play on “dish”).

5. Domestic bliss (washing dishes).

The Complete Guide to Interpreting Your Dreams

by Stearn Robinson - Tom Corbett
The portent here depends on the condition of the dish (or dishes).

If it was full, it signifies good fortune; empty, the augury is of a static period of marking time unless the beauty of the empty dish was the main feature, in which case the dream predicts luck in love affairs.

Broken, damaged, or dirty dishes are a forerunner of family quarrels or domestic problems.