For those interested in analyzing their dreams, there are strategies that can improve dream recall and assist with interpretation of the symbolic meanings of dreams.
Do dreams have meaning or are they simply jumbles of random imagery without theme or purpose? This issue has sparked significant debate. However, most people perceive their own dreams as meaningful.
The Purpose of Dream Analysis
People choose to analyze their dreams for a variety of reasons. Dreams may give access to suppressed emotions or indicate areas of life where changes need to be made. Some people believe that their dreams can give them insight and guidance. Others derive generative ideas and creative inspiration from their dreams. In some cases, people engage in dream analysis simply because it is interesting.
Dream Symbols
Numerous websites and books claim to offer comprehensive and accurate dream symbol interpretations, but in reality, the meaning of dream symbols will vary from one person to another based on a number of factors, including values, life experiences, culture, preferences and personality. For example, dreaming of snakes will have a very different meaning for a person who is phobic of them than one who loves snakes and keeps them as pets.
However there are a few themes or archetypes that are considered nearly universal. These show up in fairy tales and other early literature and include death, rebirth, gods, demons, wise old men or women, earth mothers, tricksters, heroes and magic.
When interpreting symbols in your dreams, it is important to think about what these symbols mean to you personally. How do you instinctively respond to a given symbol? This can provide insight as to what your subconscious mind may be attempting to convey.
Dream Recall
People forget approximately 50% of dream content within just five minutes of waking, and nearly all of it within 10. Thus, to improve dream recall, you need to keep either a pen and paper or a means of recording audio next to your bed and record everything you remember immediately upon waking.
There are a number of substances that can decrease dream recall, including alcohol, marijuana and sedatives. There are also supplements that some people claim improve dream recall, including B vitamins, Ginkgo, Zinc and Choline.
Recurring Dreams
Many people have recurring dreams, which usually represent subconscious attempts to resolve longstanding issues or solve problems that the dreamer faces in his or her waking life. Such dreams may point to an area of life that requires conscious attention and perhaps the implementation of changes. A recurring nightmare may represent an area of life that causes significant anxiety in the waking world.
The Significance of Color
Just over four-fifths of people dream in color, but only about one-quarter remember these colors. Color certainly has significance in human psychology. Researchers have found that the color blue induces relaxation, while red inspires arousal and alertness. Carl Jung associated green with sensation, red with feeling, yellow with intuition and blue with thought. Other color associations that have been established include:
- Black – the unconscious realm, need for extreme action, the unknown
- Blue – tranquility, sensitivity, belonging, calmness
- Brown – need for physical satisfaction, need for security
- Gray – anxiety, compensation, barriers, isolation, detachment, shielding
- Green – retreat, meditation
- Orange – adventurousness
- Red – desire, excitement, passion, focus, energy, aggressiveness
- Violet – intimacy, fantasy, mysticism
- White – isolation, transformation, rebirth, newness
- Yellow – joy, hope, need for escape
Further Information
For theories on dreaming, please see Why People Dream. To read about gender and age differences in dreams, visit Gender, Age and Dreaming. For information about nightmares and sleep disturbances such as night terrors and sleepwalking, see The Dark Side of Dreaming.
References
- Bixler-thomas, G. (1998). “Understanding Dreams: Perspectives from the Ancients through Modern Times.” Dreamgate.com.
- Hoss, B. (n.d.). MS. “FAQ” and "Working with Color in Dreams." Dreamscience.org.
- International Association for the Study of Dreams. (2003). “Common Questions About Dreams” Asdreams.org.
- The Dream Tree. (1998). “Famous Dreams & Dreamers,” “FAQs” and “Thoughts on Dreams.” Dreamtree.com.
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