Using a pan to 'cook something up' can symbolizes steps you are taking to be more fulfilled. Often the pan is associated with family members as you explore the dynamics of your upbringing that affect your self esteem. Since food is transformed in the pan, this symbol can be a message about recognizing how self limiting ideas might be transformed into optimism ie: food for thought. You can see this symbol as having heavy associations with the ideas you were taught in early life - and you will often dream of a pot or pan when you are attempting to move beyond this conditioning. See also Cooking.