Want to uncover the possible hidden meanings of your most common dreams? The Running Press Cyclopedia of Dreams: More than 350 Symbols and Interpretations by David C. Lohff (Running Press) is a great bedside guide to keep on hand.
Here are some common dream symbols and themes and the meanings usually ascribed to them.
Flying
If your bike or car suddenly flies off (with you in it!) to avoid a crash, it may hint that you don't take danger very seriously. It could also be a 'hero' dream in which you excel with special skills or power – which can be wonderfully empowering if you're about to take on a real-life challenge of some sort.
If you fly on your own steam – by flapping your arms or mysteriously levitating – you may be seeking to transcend circumstances or gain a safer perspective.
Falling
Falling and can't stop yourself? It may reflect a feeling of loss of control in your own waking life. You may have feelings of inferiority, like you're not measuring up to your friends or peers – or that you're not being supported by people in your life. If this could be the case, take note of the context of the fall in your dream. Who was present? Friends, business colleagues, or your spouse? Do you feel unsupported by them in your day-to-day life?
Being naked in public
Public nudity (or being clad only in underwear) is associated with vulnerability, and also a fear that if our full personalities were known, people might not accept us. (Although ironically, in these dreams, others often seem to take your exposure completely in stride!)
Your subconscious may be trying to tell you it's time to re-evaluate your public persona. You may want to ask yourself whether it's worthwhile to continue hiding whatever personality traits you've got ferreted away in your proverbial closet.
Or… you may be an exhibitionist in a major wish-fulfillment dream. In which case – enjoy!
Colours
Colours in dreams are very symbolic. The list below pairs colours with their commonly associated meanings.
• Blue: Nobility, tranquility, depression
• Black: Power, death
• Brown: Earth, nature
• Grey: Neutrality, a lack of passion, death
• Green: Fertility, renewal, wealth, greed, envy
• Red: Sacrifice, sex, taboo sex, humiliation, physical injury
• Orange: Adventure, challenge, forced change, disruptiveness
• Purple: Royalty, positive personal growth, injury
• Yellow: Enlightenment, cowardice, illness
• White: Purity, wholesomeness, sacred ritual, emptiness
Page 2 of 2 – Learn what experts believe our dreams have in common with our waking lives on page 1.
