Dream dictionary
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One page per dream symbol: several possible readings depending on traditions and psychology, the contexts that change the meaning and questions to reflect on. These are starting points for reflection, never predictions or diagnoses.
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Former LoverDreaming of a former love is common. Memory, mourning the relationship, the needs of the present: here are theSpiderA spider in a dream evokes patience, creation, fear or entrapment. Myths (Arachne, Anansi), readings by Freud TreeIn a dream, a tree suggests growth, family roots, strength or the cycle of the seasons. Symbolic readings, traRainbowA rainbow, in a dream, evokes hope after an ordeal, a promise, a passage between two worlds. Symbolic readingsMoneyDreaming about money: finding it, losing it, receiving it, owing it, coins or banknotes. Symbolic readings of WeaponDreaming of a weapon: a pistol, rifle, sword or bow, being threatened or defending yourself. Symbolic readingsLiftDreaming of a lift: going up, going down, getting stuck, a car out of control. Symbolic readings of levels of AeroplaneWhat can an aeroplane dream evoke? Take-off, turbulence, a missed flight or a plane falling: symbolic readings
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RingDreaming of a ring: wedding band, engagement ring, lost ring, too small or given away. Traditions (the ring ofBoatDreaming of a boat: a calm crossing, a storm, a shipwreck, a rowing boat or a large vessel. Symbolic readings BabyCarrying, forgetting, losing or hearing a baby cry in a dream: what this symbol of fragility and renewal evokeJewelleryDreaming of jewellery: receiving it, losing it, seeing it shine or break. Symbolic readings of adornment, valu
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GiftA gift in a dream speaks of giving, recognition, debt or surprise. Mauss, Freud and Jung: possible readings, cNightmares and Night TerrorsNightmares and night terrors are not the same thing. What sets them apart, what triggers them, what to do in tCelebrityDreaming of a star is common. Media image, “parasocial” bond, an ideal to reach or a wish for recognition: posCatA cat in a dream can evoke independence, intuition, mystery or distrust. Traditions (Egypt, the Middle Ages), ShoesDreaming of shoes: losing one, walking barefoot, shoes too tight or new. Symbolic readings of the path, role aHorseA horse in a dream can evoke strength, freedom, momentum or instinct. Myths (Pegasus, Epona, Sleipnir), readinHairHair cut, falling out, tangled or very long: what traditions (Samson, the nazirite, mourning) and psychology sDogA dog in a dream can evoke loyalty, protection, instinct or, at times, a threat. Traditions, readings by FreudFallingFalling in a dream is very common. Here is what is known about the hypnic jerk, what Freud and traditions say,CemeteryDreaming of a cemetery evokes memory, the end of a stage or grief, and sometimes reassures. Traditional and psKeyFinding, losing, giving or searching for a key in a dream: access, secrets, solutions, trust. Janus, Saint PetBell and MusicHearing a bell or a melody in a dream may come from waking, memory or emotion. Traditions, outside noises thatHow to use a dream dictionaryA dream dictionary offers clues, not verdicts. How to read an entry, choose the element to look up, compare reThe colour whiteWhite in a dream evokes clarity, purity and a new beginning, but also emptiness, mourning or the blank page, dThe colour blackBlack in a dream evokes night, the unknown and mourning, but also elegance, fertility and rest. Cultural symboThe colour redRed in a dream evokes life, love, anger, danger or celebration, depending on the culture. Symbolism, Jung's reKnifeDreaming of a knife: a kitchen blade, a dagger, a knife held out or threatening. Traditions (Artemidorus, folk
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Dolphin and whaleDolphin and whale in dreams evoke joy, depth, the unconscious or immensity. Arion, Jonah, Moby-Dick, readings TeethTeeth falling out, breaking or rotting: a very common dream. Traditions, folklore, psychology and a recent stuThe DepartedDreaming of a deceased parent or friend is very common during grief. What traditions and psychology say, how tDragonIn dreams, the dragon evokes power, fear, a guarded treasure or inner strength. Western and Chinese dragons, S
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WaterWater is one of the most common symbols in dreams. Here is what it evokes in traditions and in psychology, andChildDreaming of a child can point to childhood, a project taking shape, a parent’s worry or the inner child. ReadiStaircaseClimbing, descending, falling or never arriving: the staircase in dreams, from Jacob's ladder to Jung's house.ExamSitting an exam unprepared, arriving late, not understanding the subject: why this dream returns in adults, anSchoolWhy do adults dream about school, long after their studies? Psychological readings of returning to class, the ChurchDreaming of a church evokes the sacred, memory, refuge or values. Traditional and psychological readings, presStarsStars, in a dream, evoke hope, ideals, guidance or immensity. Symbolic readings, shooting stars, contexts and Being LateWhy do we dream of being late, missing a train or an appointment? A very common typical dream: symbolic readinBeing chasedBeing chased is the dream theme most often reported in surveys. Scientific hypotheses, symbolic readings, cont
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GhostA ghost, a presence or a figure in the bedroom: dream, memory or sleep paralysis? Traditions, psychology and tWindowLooking out of a window, closing it, breaking it or seeing someone behind it: gaze, distance and openness in dFire and blazeFire and a blaze in a dream evoke passion, transformation, anger or destruction. Symbolic readings, contexts tFlowersIn a dream, flowers evoke beauty, desire, the cycle of life or memory. Symbolic readings, the language of flowForestIn a dream, the forest suggests the unknown, the unconscious, a test or a chance to recharge. Symbolic readingFreud and Jung on dreamsFreud sees the dream as a disguised wish, Jung as a language of the unconscious. Their ideas, their differenceFruitFruit in a dream suggests maturity, abundance, desire or what is being harvested. Traditions (Eden, pomegranat
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PregnancyDreaming that you are pregnant, that you are expecting a child or that someone close is: projects in gestationWarDreaming of war can evoke conflict, tension or fear. Here is what traditions and psychology say, the contexts
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History of dream interpretationFor more than four thousand years, people have sought meaning in their dreams. Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, IslHospitalDreaming of a hospital often evokes care, fragility or worry. Traditions (the temples of Asclepius) and psycho
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StrangerA stranger appearing in a dream can be a part of you, a face glimpsed in passing, or a fear. Readings from FreFloodA flood in a dream evokes overflowing: emotions, tasks, memories. Symbolic readings, flood myths, contexts thaInsectsDreaming of insects evokes small worries, an invasion or collective work. Scarab, bee, ant, cockroach, reading
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RabbitDreaming of a rabbit evokes gentleness, fertility, vulnerability or cunning. Here are the readings from traditLucid DreamsA lucid dream is one in which you know you are dreaming. What has been proven, the techniques tested, what remRecurring DreamsBeing chased, falling, exams, lost teeth: some dreams keep coming back. What researchers say, traditional readLionIn dreams, the lion evokes courage, authority, pride or threat. Myths (Nemea, Judah, Sekhmet), the Strength caWolfIn dreams, the wolf evokes instinct, wild freedom, threat or the pack. Myths and fairy tales (Romulus, Little MoonThe moon, in a dream, evokes intuition, cycles, the night, the feminine or daydreaming. Symbolic readings, pha
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HandsHands that give, hold, tremble, are dirty or injured: the symbol of hands in traditions, psychology, and lucidHouseThe childhood home, unknown rooms, a cellar or an attic: the house is one of the richest settings in dreams. JWeddingDreaming of a wedding, your own, a former love or fleeing the altar: inner union, commitment, fears. TraditionSea and oceanIn a dream, the sea and the ocean evoke vastness, the unconscious and the journey. Explore their symbolic meanMotherDreaming of one’s mother touches on care, origins, dependence and separation. Artemidorus, Freud, Jung: three DoctorDreaming of a doctor evokes help, authority or worry about one's health. Traditions, the readings of Freud andMirrorSeeing yourself in a mirror, not recognising yourself, a broken mirror or one with no reflection: self-image, MountainA mountain, in a dream, evokes effort, the goal to reach, elevation or an obstacle. Symbolic readings, sacred DeathDreaming of your own death or that of someone close is a frequent and distressing dream. Traditions, Jung, Fre
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BirthDreaming of a labour or the birth of a child, an animal or a project: renewal, passage, worries. Traditions anSnowSnow, in a dream, evokes silence, purity, cold, childhood or a pause. Symbolic readings, contexts that change NumbersSeeing numbers or digits in a dream may come from waking life, memory or a personal symbol. Numerology, Freud,FoodDreaming of food speaks of need, pleasure, sharing and care. Readings from tradition and psychology, contexts NudityFinding yourself naked in public in a dream: shame, vulnerability, a need for authenticity? What Freud, Jung,
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BirdA bird in a dream evokes freedom, a message, the soul or fragility. Traditions (the dove, the Egyptian ba, theGoldDreaming of gold: ingot, coin, treasure, gilded object, gold that tarnishes. Ancient symbolism (Midas, alchemyBearIn dreams, the bear evokes strength, protection, withdrawal or threat. Callisto, Artio, bear festivals, readin
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BreadBread in a dream evokes the essential, sharing, subsistence and the sacred. Traditions, readings from Freud anButterflyA butterfly in a dream evokes metamorphosis, lightness, the soul or fragility. Psyche, Zhuangzi's dream, readiLosing an ObjectDreaming of losing your keys, bag, wallet or a treasured object. Symbolic readings of loss and searching, possFatherDreaming of one’s father points to authority, protection, law, inheritance and sometimes absence. Readings froRainRain in a dream can evoke tears, renewal, sadness or the washing away of worries. Here are its symbolic readinFishIn dreams, the fish evokes the unconscious, abundance, faith or instinct. Ichthys, the carp, the sign of PisceBridgeDreaming of a bridge: crossing, hesitating, a bridge that collapses or stretches on. Symbolic readings, ancienDoorAn open, closed, locked or non-closing door: the threshold in dreams. Janus, rites of passage, psychology and PrisonDreaming of prison or confinement can evoke constraint, guilt or the need for freedom. Traditional and psychol
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Dreams and sleepWhen do we dream? The sleep stages, the role of REM sleep, what we know about the usefulness of dreams, and siProphetic dreams: what science saysCan a dream foretell the future? What research has tested, why some dreams seem to come true, famous cases, anRiverA river in a dream evokes the passing of time, movement, a passage to cross. Discover its symbolic readings anRoadWhat can a road dream evoke? A clear path, a crossroads, a dead end, a road that disappears: symbolic readings
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BloodSeeing blood, bleeding, having blood on your hands: a striking dream, but not an omen. Symbolism of life, kinsDrowningDreaming that you are drowning is a common anxiety dream. What traditions, psychology and common sense say aboRemembering Your DreamsEveryone dreams, but we only retain a small part of it. What research says about forgetting dreams, and simpleSnakeThe snake in a dream evokes fear, shedding, wisdom or a hidden threat. Traditions (the Bible, Greece, India), SunThe sun, in a dream, evokes light, vitality and consciousness, but also dazzle or burning. Symbolic readings, Mouse and ratMouse and rat in dreams evoke the small worries that gnaw at us, cunning or infestation. Ganesha, the plague,
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Storm and thunderA storm in a dream, with its thunder, lightning and rain, evokes strong emotions, a conflict or a crisis. SymbKeeping a Dream JournalA dream journal helps you remember your dreams, spot what keeps coming back, and read them without losing yourTelephoneDreaming of a phone: ringing, a number you cannot dial, a flat battery, a missed call. Symbolic readings of coTrainDreaming of a train: station, platform, crowded carriage, missed train or derailment. Symbolic readings, conteWorkDreaming about your job: colleagues, boss, lateness, endless tasks, dismissal. Why these dreams are so frequenEarthquakeAn earthquake in a dream evokes the loss of bearings, an upheaval or a fear of instability. Symbolic readings,
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SuitcaseDreaming of a suitcase: packing it, being unable to close it, losing it, carrying it. Symbolic readings of depClothesDreaming of clothes: badly dressed, an ill-fitting garment, a new outfit, a uniform, dirty or lost clothing. SWineWine in a dream suggests celebration, ritual, blood, intoxication or moderation. Traditions (Dionysus, EuchariCarWhat can a dream about a car mean? Driving, brakes that fail, being a passenger, breaking down: symbolic readiFlyingFlying in a dream often brings a sense of freedom. Here is what traditions, Freud, Bachelard and lucid dreams
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The meanings mentioned belong to tradition and symbolism. They are neither promises of results nor medical advice.