Interpreting Dream Symbols... How do YOU do it?

Question

Does a certain dream symbol, mean the same in every dream, for every person? Like, if I dream of a horse, and so do you, does it mean the same thing? Can a dream dictionary REALLY decipher all our dreams? Or is it different for every individual? Or for different cultures and traditions?

How do you decide what a certain symbol means in a dream?

(Besides just looking it up in a dream dictionary?)

What are some sources of symbolism that you have found to be helpful?

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Have you guessed? You have found yourself participating in the 2nd forum of FAIRELIGHT SILVERWINGS' DREAM ACADEMY. Class in now in session!

Answer 1

Definitely different for every individual. To dream of a horse for me would be completely random because all of my dreams have something to do with what I just learned or experienced. I've never ridden a horse and have never had the desire to do so, so I can't imagine it would mean anything special. Every aspect in a dream must mean something to you. If it's seems random, maybe you don't remember the tie to this item or action. But really, who knows? I just think there is no air tight way to decipher something since every person on this Earth has had a different childhood and different life changing experiences. So, who knows?

Answer 2

I think dream symbols mean different things to different people. I think dream dictionaries are an OK source, but they aren't ALWAYS right, EVERY time.

For example, www.dreammoods.com says that dreaming of your own death means, "To dream of your own death, indicates a transitional phase in your life. You are becoming more enlightened or spiritual. Alternatively, you are trying desperately to escape the demands of your daily life", yet, I have heard many people say that death in your dream means you'll live a long life. So who do you go with? A website, or many people saying the same thing?

I decide what a certain symbol means by looking into what it would mean to ME. Then, I put that together with the dream and find a meaning that seems to make sense with everything else.

I think when people spend so much time trying to answer your question with their own insight (as in figure out a dream question, which can take along time to figure out, sometimes) then that is the best way to get an answer to a question.

Answer 3

I think the symbols and their significance are based largely on cultural interpretation first and the fact that we associate palaces etc with certain things,based on the cultural tattoos we have all been needled with.Most emblems will cross cultures,which lends a mystic quality to them,but all cultures know the difference between dreaming of a palace v a hut.I think dreams are really just the brains digestive system.What comes out is a compressed and somewhat tubular version of all the **** we witnessed while awake.

Answer 4

I promise to tell the truth! Some bits of Freudian dream theories and a bit of logic and the person's age, gender, ect. These are all taken into consideration plus intuition. A significant amount of knowledge in psychology and sociology is the biggest tool. One man's food could be another man's poison.

Answer 5

Hi Fairlight, Well, there are a lot of things that I do to interpret...

No, a dream symbol is not at all the same for every person, but I know you already know that.... A dream dictionary can offer ideas to reflect on, and get the ball rolling for inspiration, but a definition in a dictionary is not set in stone, and is an opinion of the person who wrote the definition in the first place. (Opinions are like belly buttons, everybody has one) But it's somewhere to start.  If you dream of a horse running through the woods, and I dream of a horse contently munching hay in a pasture, well, it might be the same symbol, but two very different dreams, the interpretation depends on the rest of the symbols around the horse, and what the horse is doing there.  Cultural differences and personal quirks need to be taken into account, and I often ask, if I think I am interpreting for someone from a much different culture, if they have particular ideas about a particular symbol.  A dream book definition can help, but so much of the interpretation depends on the action going on in the dream.  When I'm looking at a dream, a dream book definition might say one thing, but the action might be saying something completely different...I get a lot of my ideas by free association.  I like to study symbols in general, all forms of symbolism are fodder for dream interpretation, not just dream book symbols, religious symbols, the bible, world symbols, ads on television, but I'm kind of like the boy in "Lady in the water" I look for symbols everywhere, even in the secret language of a cereal box....I have a mind that relates to imagery as a language....There are a lot of great books out there about symbols just as symbols, not specifically about dream interpretation.... then there are the days when no matter what a symbol represents, I get a gut feeling on a dream, throw the book away, and just go with what my intuition is telling me....:)

Answer 6

im a litte p i s s e d right now because no one has answered my question.

Answer 7

all symbols have different meanings. It depends what your doing w/ that object or what that object is doing to you or itself.

The horse represents passion, sexual needs, boisterous energies. A damaged, starved, shackled, overly confined horse suggests that you are being hobbled by a restrictive condition or choice you've made. Seeing a rider on a horse or riding yourself predicts success of the project, if the reins are held firmly and a rider remains steadily in the saddle.

There you can see a horse represents a lot of stuff

Answer 8

I think that is an excellent question! I think in some cases yes certain symbols do mean the same for everyone like colors for example they are not tangible but they do hold a significant meaning to our dreams because they could describe our emotion depending on what we are dreaming about. I think if you dream of a car I think it is the same for everyone that it is about your life and the direction in life you are going and who is control so some things yes. But then there are other things that will not mean the same for everyone. Because we were all created different I don't think that God would intend for us all to have the same explanation of our dreams. Just because we all dream of flying doesn't mean that we are all going to go high in the same thing for example. We may all achieve something but it will be different for everyone.

Answer 9

some symbols can be considered archetypal and mean basically the same thing to most people. that's why dream interpretation books can really help. but a lot of people have personal associations for most things also, and you have to take your own into account when you analyse your dream symbols. like for me, a horse in a dream can be threaening because i once had a horse try to eat my hair.

the way you decide what dream symbols mean to YOU is to write a dream dictionary for yourself. start with just one dream at time. write down the dream as just a word or a phrase describing each important element. then spend some time thinking of every association and connotation you can possibly give it. that will be your basis for a symbol means to you. in every dream it is possible for the symbol to mean something a little different. in recurring dreams the symbols generally mean the same thing, but in other dreams  the meanings change with the tone  and supporting elements.

i find Wilda B Tanner's book the mystical magic marvelous world of dreams to be the most helpful book on dream symbology, but she doesn't have all the answers, so you'll need to do some thinking for yourself.

Answer 10

i used proven biblical symbols to interpret dreams.  the bible states that a mans dreams are to him as a mirror is to his reflection.  that means we can see our present selves and situations in our dreams.