Dream Interpretation - Understanding Dream Archetypes
The word archetype is actually derived from the Latin and Greek
languages, but the world of psychiatry, particularly the work of
Carl Jung, is what brought the word into common usage. Simply
stated, an archetype is a prototype, or an original model. An
archetype can also be used to mean the ideal example of a type.
Carl Jung used the word archetype to mean an instinct pattern of
thought or imagery that was derived from collective experience.
Jung believed in the existence of the collective unconscious -
that is that people are born knowing things learned from their
ancestors.
There are several archetypes used in dream interpretation, and
one of the most common of these archetypes is that of the child.
The child is quite a common symbol in dreams, and it is probably
the most easily recognized archetypes. After all, everyone can
remember what it was like to be a child - the freedom of being a
child, the unconditional love received from parents, the
laughter and the innocence of the imagination.
In the world of dreams, the child reminds us of our past and our
childhood. Dreams involving children, or dreaming of ourselves
as children, often symbolizes an unconscious desire to go back
to a simpler time. People in need of unconditional love often
dream of being children or being surrounded by children.
Every psychology student is familiar with the concept of the
inner child, the part of everyone that refuses to grow up, and
is constantly in need of encouragement, comfort and
unconditional love.
There are several other child archetypes and metaphors, and one
of the most powerful of these is the Divine Child. The Divine
Child archetype is often encountered in mythology, and there are
examples of the Divine Child in almost every major religion and
belief system in the world. This worldwide appearance is one of
the hallmarks of a true archetype.
The Wounded Child, like the Divine Child, is also an archetype
that is seen in cultures and religions all over the world. The
wounded child archetype is most closely associated with children
who have been neglected or abused. Dreaming of a wounded child,
or dreaming of yourself as a wounded child, is often the
manifestation of a desire for a loving, wonderful childhood.
In addition, the Wounded Child archetype may appear when you are
facing something that reminds you of being a Wounded Child. For
instance, being blamed for something you did not do at work can
take you back to the times a parent treated you unfairly.
Therefore, such a negative event in the workplace could trigger
the appearance of the Wounded Child archetype in a dream.
There is no question that children are powerful dream symbols,
and dreams about children can have many interpretations. When
interpreting any dream, it is always important to consider the
context of the dream, and to take it into account when examining
the dream.
Recurring dreams involving children can have their own meanings
as well, and they can often be triggered by memories of
childhood. Often a return to a hometown, a grade school reunion,
or running into a childhood friend you have not seen in years,
can trigger dreams of being a child again. These types of dreams
are among the most common in the world of dream interpretation.