What do certain things you dream about mean?

Answer 1

The Short Version - dream imagery has meanings that are ultimately determined by YOU. Think about an image or person from a dream and try to remember the dream in detail. Try to feel how this image or person 'felt' to you, and this will likely point you in the right direction. A simple thing you can ask yourself is, "what does this (symbol/image) mean to me in general, and what did it mean to me in this dream?"

The Longer Version - every person has symbols in the subconscious, but each person's symbols may have different meanings. Flowers, for example, can mean anything from life or happiness to death and mourning. The context is always important. If I Have a Dream in which flowers are prominent, but when I look at them I feel sad because they are wilting, this may be telling me that there are things in my life that are fading, and I am taking too much for granted instead of appreciating blessings that may not always be here. If, however, my dream is scary, and the flowers provide some sort of feeling of comfort or hope, the meaning is completely different.

You are the only person that can truly unlock the meanings of your dreams, because they are written in a subconscious language that you've unknowingly invented and revised throughout your entire life. If you really want to start figuring out your dreams, a good place to start is by keeping a dream journal. A simple notebook will do, right by the bed, within arm's reach your sleeping position. You should be able to grab the dream journal (and pen) without having to open your eyes. Record your dreams quickly, as they fade quickly from memory. After a while, you may notice certain patterns or common symbols in your dreams.

As an example, I have figured out general meanings for several of my dream symbols. For me, dogs in dreams tend to represent friends or friendly experiences, or even a friendly worldview. This makes sense, as I love dogs and have very positive, optimistic feelings associated with dogs. Funny enough, one of my friends does not like dogs, and for her, dogs in her dreams are always hostile, menacing, obnoxious, or horribly messy. For her, dogs in dreams represent unforeseen problems, catastrophes, and chaos. Again, you must figure out what these things mean to you!