Interpreting common dream images
The images encountered in dreams can sometimes be confusing, and
many dreams seem to defy logical explanations. One reason this
is so is that dreams tend to often use symbolic language to tell
their story, and the stories told by the unconscious mind can be
quite different from those experienced during waking hours. It
is helpful to understand some common interpretations of some of
the most frequently encountered dream symbols.
Arms Dreaming of arms, or of being enveloped, can represent an
unconscious desire to live your desires. This kind of dream
often represents a type of wish fulfillment. If you dream of
your arms being tied or otherwise obstructed, you may be feeling
"tied down" or restricted in your waking life.
Boss Many people assume that dreaming about the boss is due to
anxieties about their job, but more often the boss in your dream
represents a different authority figure in your life. In some
cases, the boss may represent part of your own psyche that is
controlling other parts.
Cats Cats in a dream can have many different meanings, depending
on their context within the dream and on the individual dreamer.
Some common interpretations of cats include representations of
intuition, magic, femininity and sexuality. The dreamer's
personal feelings about cats are a key part of discovering their
meaning in the dream world.
Death and drying Many people think that dreams about the death
of themselves or a loved one are prophecies, but that is rarely
if ever true. Dreams about death or dying are often
manifestations of other fears and anxieties.
Eating Dreams about eating are most commonly metaphors for
needing intellectual or emotional nourishment, not physical
nourishment. As always, the context of eating in the dream will
provide important clues to its meaning.
Fire Dreaming about fire often symbolizes passion or sexuality.
Carl Jung felt that fire was a symbol of transformation.
Garden Dreaming about a blooming garden may symbolize the growth
of the soul, whereas a dream about a weed infested or dead
garden may indicate that the dreamer is seeking additional
spiritual nourishment.
Hands Hands can be either a positive or a negative symbol,
depending on their place within the dream and the context in
which they appear. The appearance of clasped hands can symbolize
agreement or unity. A dream featuring washing hands can indicate
that the dreamer has unresolved issues that must be addressed in
the waking world.
Job Dreaming about being at work can indicate a feeling of being
overworked, or of being overwhelmed by career issues. It can
also be a sign that you need to be more productive at work.
Lock A lock in your dream may represent the dreamer's inability
to obtain what he or she needs. It can also be an indication
that something is locked up inside, things like emotions, talent
or memory.
Nurse Dreaming about a nurse can indicate an unresolved need to
be taken care of.
Ocean Dreams about oceans or other large bodies of water are
often representations of the subconscious. The state of the
water in the dream is indicative of the dreamer's emotional
state. Therefore, dreaming of calm seas can indicate a quiet
emotional life, while dreams of high tides and tidal waves can
indicate emotional disturbance.
Purse The interpretation of this symbol depends on its context.
A purse can represent a place to keep secret possessions safe,
but losing your purse in a dream can indicate that you fear the
loss of your power or possessions.
School Dreams of school or classrooms can represent learning
experiences in the dreamer's waking life. Classroom dreams can
also indicate that spiritual learning is taking place. In
addition, school or classroom dreams can indicate a yearning for
the simpler life that childhood represents.
Train Sigmund Freud viewed trains as phallic symbols and this
interpretation is sometimes valid. Dreaming about missing a
train may mean you feel you have missed an important opportunity
in your waking life, while dreaming of being a conductor can
mean you feel you are in control of your life.