The Meaning of Dreams
Everybody dreams. It is a matter of remembering our dreams. The question “Why do we dream?” still eludes science. Approximately every 90 minutes during the night we enter a period of light sleep. This may be for 20 minutes or just a few seconds. This part of the sleep-cycle is when we dream.
Serious sleep research began in the United States in the 1950s, and soon spread to specially designed sleep laboratories all over the world. By attaching electrodes to volunteers’ faces and scalps, scientists were able to measure brain-wave activity and other physical cycles through the night. One of the discoveries is that eyes (even of the blind) move about rapidly beneath closed lids during a dream. This was established by waking subjects at intervals. If volunteers are woken during rapid eye movement (REM) then they report dreams.
More recent experiments have established that dreams are essential to mental and physical well-being. When people have been deliberately denied dream-sleep they become quite disturbed, experiencing hallucinations and a range of psychotic symptoms.
October 27th, 2007 at 1:08 pm
Elephant:
A dream about an elephant is a favourable indication, suggesting strength, health, and also a possible association in the future with somebody important.
October 27th, 2007 at 1:12 pm
Bear
Dreaming about a bear is a reminder of major problems and the possible presence of an adversary or rival in your life. However, killing a bear in the dream is a symbol of overcoming difficulties and defeating the adversary.
October 28th, 2007 at 2:29 pm
Monkey:
Dreaming about a monkey is an inauspicious sign, indicating that you are surrounded by lies and deceit.
October 28th, 2007 at 2:34 pm
Eagle:
If you dream of this beautiful bird soaring through the air it shows that you have high expectations of yourself and will one day see your ambitions realised. However, if the eagle is wounded or dead, your reputation will suffer.
October 28th, 2007 at 2:38 pm
Pheasant:
A pheasant is a favourable sign in dreams, and coming back from the hunt with a brace of pheasants shows great honours in prospect.
October 29th, 2007 at 3:42 pm
Maybe, it would be a good idea to create a dream discussion forum where people could post the content of their dreams and everyone could discuss the symbolism of the dreams?
Do you think a dream forum would be a good idea?
October 29th, 2007 at 7:33 pm
Crow:
To dream about a crow is not a good omen. With its black wings & body it is the harbinger of disappointment, financial worries & health problems. Hearing its cawing in your sleep is a symbol of unpleasant occurrences to come.
October 29th, 2007 at 7:39 pm
Eel:
Dreaming about an eel indicates either finding work, or changing jobs, at sometime in the near future. A dead eel in the dream symbolises getting the upper hand over someone who is trying to create problems for you.
October 30th, 2007 at 9:25 am
Nightingale:
This is a very happy omen to appear in a dream, it foretells joy, success and riches. If lovers dream about a nightingale, theirs will be a happy marriage. If you dream about a nightingale when you are ill, you will soon be on the mend. If you dream that you hear the song of the nightingale, you can expect fortune to smile on you in business matters and an advancement in your career.
October 30th, 2007 at 9:30 am
Rats:
Dreaming about these animals means that a large number of relatively small problems are on the way. For someone in love who dreams of rats there is an additional but much greater problem: you have an implacable rival who will stop at nothing to win your partner. If you are married, you can expect minor upsets by people who are supposed to be your friends.
October 31st, 2007 at 7:09 pm
Vulture:
Dreaming of a vulture has various meanings. If the vulture is flying, it indicates the harmful activities of enemies or rivals in love, but if it is devouring carrion, it suggests that fortune will smile on you and you will stop being plagued with worries. Killing a vulture is a good sign in a dream: it shows that you have finally overcome your misfortunes.
October 31st, 2007 at 7:17 pm
Snake:
The snake is widely regarded as a symbol of ill-fortune in dreams. If you see one in a dream, it means either an enemy is trying to harm you financially, or a rival in love is trying to destroy your happiness. If you manage to kill the snake, you will be able to prevent this person from damaging you.
More specifically, like all biting or stinging animals, the adder is a symbol of evil. Dreaming about one symbolizes suffering in love: your partner will prove unfaithful and deceitful and may bring you into discredit with his or her wayward behaviour.
November 1st, 2007 at 3:39 pm
It’s interesting reading the interpretation of specific animals in dreams, but I suspect that many of your examples have a cultural bias to the West, particularly Britain.
Is it likely that other people cultures may dream of some of the same creatures, but ascribe a different meaning to them?
November 2nd, 2007 at 7:12 pm
I concur. The dream examples are pro Western. Some animals may have different connotations in the East.
November 2nd, 2007 at 7:48 pm
Unicorn :
A unicorn is not a favourable sign in a dream: it suggests that you are facing problems which are being caused by people who are less pleasant and trustworthy than they seem on first acquaintance.
November 2nd, 2007 at 7:51 pm
Peacock :
This magnificent bird has long been a symbol of pride and vanity, though in dreams it can also show that you are particularly aware and appreciative of someone else’s beauty at the moment.
November 3rd, 2007 at 12:26 pm
Crocodile:
An crocodile or alligator in a dream is warning that you need to watch out for a powerful enemy who may be creeping up on you behind your back.
November 3rd, 2007 at 12:27 pm
Lizard:
This is an unfavourable dream, indicating enemies lying in wait for you.
November 4th, 2007 at 8:46 pm
Tiger:
A sleeping tiger, or one in a cage, is harmless, and hence dreaming of one in this state is a sign of social advancement, but a tiger attacking a person or animal in a dream means there is serious danger on the horizon.
November 4th, 2007 at 8:46 pm
Octopus:
Any dream with an octopus in it signifies your spirit of adventure, while an octopus being killed or caught reflects your strong sense of moral right and wrong. An octopus attacking anyone in a dream represents trouble in store.
November 5th, 2007 at 11:11 am
Animals in Dreams
Dog:
Most dreams involving dogs mean that we can expect agreeable events to occur as the result of a friend’s actions. A growling dog in a dream indicates that a friend cannot necessarily be trusted, and a dog that bites someone means you are making things difficult for yourself by being obstinate. A barking dog signifies imminent danger! Seeing a howling dog while asleep is a warning of impending misfortune or calamity.
November 5th, 2007 at 11:21 am
Cats
The well-known black cat crossing one’s path also brings good luck if seen in a dream. Generally speaking, though, cats are not a good omen, suggesting unfaithfulness in love and complications in one’s working life. killing a cat means you are causing your enemies discomfort.
Although a kitten is normally a good omen in dreams, this is not the case if it bites or scratches anyone: it shows that your partner is deceiving you in some way.
November 6th, 2007 at 6:19 pm
Zebra:
Dreaming about a zebra is a warning sign: you should be very careful and keep your eyes open, otherwise something unpleasant could happen to you.
November 6th, 2007 at 6:23 pm
Swan:
Seeing a swan in a dream shows that pleasant news is on the way, while a swan swimming on a lake or pond indicates future prosperity and material well-being. Feeding a swan signifies happiness in love. A black swan in the dream, however, indicates that the future will be less pleasant.
November 8th, 2007 at 12:05 am
Horse:
A dream involving a horse is always a good sign, unless the horse is black all over, in which case mourning or grief is indicated. Riding a horse is a sign of both independence and happiness. Finding a horseshoe in a dream is an extremely good omen.
November 9th, 2007 at 7:02 pm
Beetle:
Seeing a flying beetle in a dream is an indication of good fortune in everything you do (love, work, finances) and with everyone you meet, from shop assistants to lovers. A beetle beating against some kind of obstacles and falling to the ground is a sign that projects you are involved in will not be completed until much later than expected.
November 9th, 2007 at 9:14 pm
Pig:
A pig in a dream can symbolise both good and bad luck. It suggests that something you are involved in will go wrong, but another venture, which you perhaps did not have very high hopes of, will be a surprising success. Be careful with members of your family, as they may cause you some distress. If you dream about a pig just before you go off on a journey, it might be better to postpone it for a while.
If you dream about a sow coming towards you, there is good fortune on the way; but if it is walking or running away, then the future holds little luck for you.
November 10th, 2007 at 12:25 pm
Rabbit:
Dreaming of a rabbit usually brings good luck, and in many countries its foot, whether in real life or in dreams, is regarded as a particular symbol of good fortune. A rabbit in a dream also symbolizes prosperity and fertility. Sometimes it foretokens a move to a big city, or anywhere else which is crowded. A married woman dreaming about a rabbit can expect a new child. A rabbit crossing a road, on the other hand, denotes imminent danger.
Dreaming about a hare is a sign of good luck: if it running towards you close friends will soon be coming to see you, and a girl who dreams about a hare is likely to be on the verge of meeting her husband-to-be. A hare being coursed, however, means serious risks being faced.
November 13th, 2007 at 12:11 am
Dove :
Dreaming of a turtle dove in its nest is a sign of unexpected gains and emotional happiness, especially if it is cooing. A wounded turtle dove means there are problems to be sorted out in your life. If it is dead, these problems may be major ones.
November 13th, 2007 at 7:59 pm
Magpie :
These elegant black and white birds with their thieving nature are not an auspicious omen in dreams, they foreshadow problems within your family, which are likely to increase in seriousness in proportion to the number of magpies you see in your dreams.
November 14th, 2007 at 4:14 pm
Wolf :
A wolf is a distinctly bad omen if it appears in a dream. Hunting a wolf means there is danger on the horizon, and being chased by one means you are anxious and worried. Killing a wolf, on the other hand, means success of some kind is imminent.
November 14th, 2007 at 4:14 pm
Jackal:
Dreaming about a jackal is not an optimistic sign. A jackal in a dream symbolizes an enemy waiting for a weak moment to attack, though if you move carefully, you can turn things against him.
November 15th, 2007 at 8:50 pm
Stork:
Despite its connotations, dreaming about a stork is not a good sign: it foretells change, possibly a move, which will leave you worse off than before. If the stork is flying, there is the risk of your committing a crime, and if it is sitting in its nest, then you are likely to have family problems.
November 15th, 2007 at 9:14 pm
Lion
A lion is generally an animal which brings good luck, and if you dream about one it indicates a personal success or gain, although not necessarily a financial one. If the lion is roaring because it is enraged, you are anxious about the jealousy of someone close to you. Fighting with a lion indicates a fight or argument in real life.
Dreaming about a lioness is also a hopeful sign in dreams, especially if she is lying down with her cubs, in which case your family relationships will be happy ones.
November 16th, 2007 at 10:10 am
Seagulls.
Seagulls in a dream indicates recent bold, daring, behaviour.
November 16th, 2007 at 10:15 am
Swallows.
A flight of swallows in a dream is an omen of unexpected and not necessarily good news.
November 16th, 2007 at 10:18 am
Ducks.
A flight of ducks in a dream symbolizes an unbelievable stroke of good fortune, and any other large group of birds is likely to bring pleasant news of some kind.
March 21st, 2008 at 11:41 am
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Regards. John.