Understanding Dream Analysis and Interpretation

While it is true that no one knows the exact origins of dream analysis and interpretation, it is safe to assume that there has been some sort of dream analysis going on as long as their have been dreams. It is also a safe bet that dreams have been around as long as human beings have, and maybe even before. For instance, some animals, such as cats and dogs, are known to dream, so it is probably true that our ancient ancestors had dream worlds of their own.

No one knows the content of these early dreams of course, or how early humans reacted to them. At first, humans probably reacted with fear to find themselves in unfamiliar territory, facing unfamiliar objects and places. It is known that many ancient cultures saw no distinction between the world of dreams and the world of physical reality. In these cultures, the dream world was simply an extension of the physical world.

As a matter of fact, many cultures throughout history have placed a greater level of importance on the dream world than on the physical world. Dreams were often imbued with magic powers, and many people thought that dreams were a way for the soul to commune with the spirit world while the body got its much needed rest.

Dream interpretation may have been around for as long as dreams have been, but archeologists have discovered that dream interpretation is at least 5000-6000 years old. That is because clay tablets dating back to 3000-4000 B.C. have been found, and these tablets detail dreams and their interpretation.

Even in today’s world, dream analysis and interpretation continues to be a source of wonder, inspiration and even healing. Psychologists and therapists often use dream analysis as part of their careers, and dream interpretation has been used in modern times to treat victims of trauma and help them heal.

In the ancient world, dream interpretation has a long and storied history. Some of the earliest mentions of dreams and dream analysis occur in the Bible, and the Bible contains more than 700 references to dreams and their meanings.

The world of the ancient Greeks and Romans was also fascinated with dreams and what they meant. The Greeks and Romans often saw dreams as a way for their gods to connect with mortals, and the messages contained in dreams were carefully examined and taken very seriously.

Greek and Roman politicians and warriors employed dream interpreters to provide analysis of the dreams of soldiers, generals and politicians, and the results of this dream analysis was used to influence political and military decisions.

The ancient Egyptians also saw religious significance in dreams, and those who could interpret and analyze dreams, as well as those whose dreams were particularly vivid or significant, were given special status in Egyptian society.

Dream interpretation and analysis continues to enjoy a special place in the modern world. After Sigmund Freud revolutionized the world of dream analysis more than a century ago, a new era of dream interpretation was ushered in, and dream research continues to evolve and grow at a rapid pace.

What you always wanted to know about dreams and their meanings?

Every dreamer has asked questions about why we dream, and what those dreams mean. While every dream is unique to the person who dreams it, the world of dream interpretation is a rich, fascinating and exciting one. We have included here some of the most commonly asked questions about dreams and their analysis.

What is the significance of dreams?

Yes. Dreams to have significance in the real world. Dreams are told in a symbolic language, and the images in dreams tend to contain hidden meanings and hidden messages. When analyzing and interpreting dreams, it is important to understand that the stories told in dreams are symbolic and not meant to be taken literally. The significance of dreams for each dreamer is a personal matter related to each person’s experience and emotions.

Why do recurring dreams happen?

Recurring dreams are among the most common types of dreams. Most often, recurring dreams indicate that the dreamer has some issue that is not being confronted in his or her waking life. Examining these recurring dreams, and understanding what triggers them, can often allow the dreamer to resolve the underlying issue and banish the recurring dream.

Do most people dream in color?

Most people do dream in color, but many may not notice the colors in the dream world. Since color is such a natural part of our normal day to day experience, color may be overlooked in the dream world. In addition, because dreams fade so quickly, the sense of color may be the first thing to leave the conscious mind.

Do animals dream as well?

All mammals studied have exhibited the same brain activity that humans exhibit during dream sleep. Many scientists see this as proof that animals do in fact dream, although what they dream about is likely to remain a mystery.

How are dreams affected by our daily lives?

Any feelings or thoughts repressed during the day are likely to make an appearance in your dreams during the night. For example, if you wanted to show your anger to someone but were unable to do so, you may express anger to that person or a similar figure in a dream. In addition, those who have experienced traumatic events are often troubled by nightmares in which they relive that trauma.

Do men and women dream differently?

Men and women both experience the same brain wave activity during dream sleep. The content of the dreams of men and women do differ, however. Studies of dream content have shown that men tend to dream more about other men than about women, while women tend to dream about men and women equally.

Why do I remember only bad dreams and never good ones?

One reason is that the most vivid dreams tend to be those that are remembered, and nightmares are generally more vivid than good dreams. In addition, sleepers are often awakened by a particularly vivid nightmare, and waking during dream sleep means that the dream will most likely be remembered in its minutest details.

What does it mean to dream about dreaming?

Experiencing a dream within a dream may be a way to deal with items from the subconscious mind. A dream within a dream may prevent the dreamer from waking up prematurely, and they often are reflections of a critical issue that the dreamer needs to confront and gain control of.

Will I really die if I hit the ground during a falling dream?

The many people who have described hitting the ground during a dream about falling are proof positive that hitting the ground in a dream is not a terminal experience. It is true, however, that dreams of falling often wake the dreamer, and that is probably where that old legend got its start.

The importance of the sleep cycle

It is important to understand the sleep cycle in order to understand the dreaming process. Before we can gather information from our dreams, we need to understand where those dreams come from, and to do that we must understand the various stages of sleep and how they fit together.

The sleep cycle consists of four individual stages, and every person goes through all four stages each and every night. The length of each cycle varies from person to person, but every human being experiences all four stages of sleep every night.

In general, the dreams that are most likely to be remembered are those that take place the closest to waking. Dreams that take place earlier in the night are almost never remembered. The one exception to this rule is those dreams that are disturbing enough to wake the dreamer. If a dreamer awakens in the middle of dream sleep, as with a particularly vivid nightmare or a dream about falling, he or she will most likely remember vividly every detail of the dream.

Let us take a look at the four individual stages of sleep, starting, logically, at stage one.

Stage 1:

The initial stage of sleep is a very light sleep, and the slightest disturbance can wake the dreamer at this stage. The first stage of sleep usually lasts for only a few minutes, and most sleepers move on quickly to stage two.

Stage 2:

The second stage of sleep is much deeper, and it is much harder to wake the sleeper up at this point. While the dream state begins in stage two, there are usually no clearly formed images at this point. Instead dreams in stage two consist mainly of vague ideas and images floating around the mind. After stage two is completed, the dreamer moves quickly on to stage three.

Stage 3:

The third stage of sleep is even deeper than the second stage. At this stage, the muscles in the sleepers body have relaxed, and the heart rate and respiration rate have both slowed down. The sleeper's blood pressure also drops off at this point, and breathing is typically even and steady. A sleeper in stage three sleep is very difficult to awaken, and typically waking can only be accomplished by a very loud startling noise or by shouting the sleeper's name repeatedly.

Stage 4:

Stage four is the deepest stage of sleep, and the one in which most dreaming takes place. During this stage of sleep, it is almost impossible to wake the sleeper. During stage four of sleep, the sleeper moves in and out of REM (rapid eye movement) sleep several times. It is during REM sleep that dreaming is occurring. The eyes move back and forth rapidly under their lids, the heart beat and respiration spike, and brain wave activities increase. As a matter of fact, studies have shown that brain wave activity is higher during dream sleep than it is during normal consciousness.

Most sessions of dream sleep last for about 10 minutes, after which the sleeper returns to the normal deep sleep of stage four. The dreamer will cycle back and forth between stage four sleep and dream sleep several times each night, usually repeating the process from four to seven times on an average night.

Keys to interpreting your dreams successfully

The exact meaning of dreams is up to each individual dreamer, since each dream is unique to the mind that created it. There are many interpretations of virtually any object, place or person encountered in a dream, but each of those objects, people, and places are open to alternate explanations as well.

Those wishing to analyze their own dreams often do so out of a desire to use those dreams to make decisions or gain control over issues in their working life. Whether you wish to analyze dreams simply for the fun of it or to gain access to your subconscious mind, it is important to capture your dreams properly in order to analyze them.

Keeping a dream journal is a great way to keep track of your dreams, and to look for patterns that may emerge after a few weeks. Even those who do not have recurring dreams often notice the same themes popping up again and again, and a dream journal can help uncover these connections.

This article will provide you with some times for getting the most out of your dream world, and using that world to improve your waking life.

- Immediately upon awakening, play the dream back in your head several times. Playing the dream back in your mind will help you remember those all important details that are so quickly forgotten.

- Be sure to move quickly when recording your dreams. The dream world is one of the most ethereal, and one of the most easily forgotten. It is estimated that as much as half of the dream can be forgotten in as little as five minutes, and after as little as ten minutes almost all of the dream can be lost.

- Write a quick description of the dream as quickly as possible, focusing on the key symbols and themes of the dream. Write down any words or descriptions that jump out at you. It is not necessary to write a full narrative of the dream at this point; simply record how the dream felt, some of the objects that were encountered, and similar details.

- After the initial impressions of the dream have been recorded, read over your notes and start filling in the gaps. The dream narrative can be recorded at this point.

- Look for a quiet place in which to start interpreting and analyzing your dream. It is important to choose an area free of distractions, and to concentrate on what the dream really means. If no quiet room is available at the moment, take a last look at your notes and come back to them later when you can find a quiet place.

- Pay close attention to your feelings as you review your dream notes. First impressions about the meaning of a dream are often quite accurate. Also pay attention to the context of the dream, where it took place, and the feelings it engendered both while in the dream world and upon waking.

- If you meditate, that can be a big help in trying to capture the deeper meaning of the dream. A few minutes of quiet meditation can reveal much of the nature of the dream.

- In reviewing your dream notes, examine the emotions they stir in you. Pay attention to the emotional state that existed in the dream.

- Pay particular attention to any details that stand out. Vivid parts of your dream, or those that can be remembered long after the dream, are often the most important.

- When examining you dream and looking for the meaning of symbols, it is important to not limit yourself to the most common interpretations. Remember that each dream is as unique as the person who dreamt it.

Dream Analysis - Common Symbols Seen in Dreams

The objects, symbols and people we see in our dreams can be baffling and confusing at times. Dreams seem to contain their own particular language, and that language can be difficult to read for those who are unfamiliar with dream symbolism. There are a number of symbols in dreams that are thought to be universal. Some of these universal themes include flying, falling, losing teeth, and failing a test. In addition to these universal symbols, however, there are a number of other important symbols encountered in dreams.

Angels

Angels are typically seen as symbols of goodness, purity and wisdom. The appearance of angels in a dream can be a representation of the quest for spiritual goodness, or a desire to improve your live. Angels can also be symbols of enlightenment. Angels often appear in dreams as guides or teachers. The more spiritually minded often see the appearance of angels as omens or messages.

Animals

Animals encountered in dreams are often symbols of our own animal nature or baser instincts. Animals can also be used by the dreaming mind to symbolize repressed desires.

The exact interpretation of an animal dream depends in large measure on the type of animal in the dream. The key to interpreting an animal dream is to examine the nature of the animal dreamed about.

Black

Dreams about black objects can symbolize a fear of aging and death. Black can also represent a perceived void in the dreamer's life.

Blood

Blood in the dream world can represent power and vitality, but the exact meaning of blood in a dream is depending on the context of the dream. Violent dreams where blood is spilled can represent an emotional upheaval or a loss of control. On the other hands, blood on the hands can represent feelings of guilt.

Cars

Driving a car in your dream can represent the joy of freedom, while dreaming of a car out of control can symbolize danger or a loss of control.

Dancing

A dream dance can have many different meanings, depending on the nature of the dance and its context. Dancing can be a symbol for sex, or for romance. Dancing in a dream can also be a symbol of freedom.

Eggs

Dreaming about eggs can mean a striving for renewal or rebirth, or a feeling of wholeness and unity. Dreaming of broken eggs, on the other hand, can represent a shattering of faith or a shattering of illusions.

Fog

Dreaming of fog can mean the dreamer is confused. Fog in a dream can also mean you are ready to explore unexplored parts of your life or your personality.

Gate

A dream gate can be either an entrance or an exit, deepening on which way it is swinging.

Illness

Dreaming about sickness can be an indication that you need to seek help for a physical ailment. The unconscious mind can be more aware of the body's condition than the conscious mind.

Keys

Finding keys in a dream can indicate you have been keeping a secret, or that you are locking away a secret life.

Mountains

Dreams in which you are climbing a mountain can symbolize achieving a goal or reaching for higher levels of success. Dreams in which you are climbing down a mountain can mean that you have reached your goals.

Owl

Dreams of owls can represent the need for knowledge and wisdom. In some cases, the owl can be a physical representation of the subconscious mind. In many cases, owls are used to deliver messages in dreams.

Road

The road seen in a dream can indicate the direction the dreamer is headed, and the nature of the road can indicate the perceived nature of the journey. A long straight road can mean smooth sailing ahead, while a winding or bumpy road can indicate perceived difficulties along the way.

Stairs

Dreams of climbing stairs can mean a reaching or a yearning for higher levels of awareness, while deems of descending stairs can mean you fear a diminishing status.

Underground

Dreaming of going underground can symbolize a journey to the subconscious, or it can mean that the dreamer is wrestling with issues he or she is afraid to face. In addition, venturing underground during a dream can mean the dreamer is ready to explore previously hidden issues.

A word about dream analysis and interpretation

It is quite likely that dreams have existed for as long as their have been humans to dream them. Dreams are an integral part of the human experience, and every person dreams at least four times, and as many as seven times, each and every night for their entire lives. It is even thought that unborn babies dream while they are still in the womb.

With such an important place in human history, it is no wonder that dream interpretation has such a long and storied history. Everyone wants to know what his or her dreams mean, and dream interpretation and analysis is likely as old as dreams themselves.

The interpretation and analysis of dreams is known to go back at least as far as 3000-4000 B.C., since a number of stone tablets containing dream interpretations have been discovered by archeologists.

People in primitive societies were often thought to make no distinction between the world of dreams and the waking world. Indeed, many people thought of the dream world as more real than the physical one, and thought that the world encountered in dreams was merely an extension of the physical world.

Many ancient peoples thought of the dream world as the time when the soul left the body to commune with the world of the spirits. It was thought that the soul departed the body each night, and visited the world of the ancestors. During this time the dreamer's soul was gathering knowledge and wisdom from departed ancestors, both recent and ancient.

In other societies, those who could interpret and analyze dreams were held in very high regard, and given a special place in their societies. The Romans and Greeks in particular paid much attention to the analysis of dreams, and they used the analysis of dreams to determine the best course of action in matters ranging from politics to warfare.

The ancient Egyptians as well saw knowledge, power and spirituality in dreams, and gave those who could analyze and interpret them an honored place in the world. The ancient Egyptians often saw dreams as a way for the gods to communicate with the mortal world, and those dream messages were taken very seriously.

Many societies placed special emphasis on dreams that were seen to be prophecies. The dreams of generals on the eve of battle were given special analysis, and those interpretations often figured into the decisions made on the battlefield.

The ancient and modern world are both full of dreams seen to be prophetic. The Bible in particular is a rich source of information on all kinds of dreams and prophecies, and there are many dreams and interpretations of dreams contained within the pages of the Bible. The prophets of the Old Testament often consulted with dream interpreters for advice on politics, warfare and other relationships.

During the early part of the 19th century, the interpretation of dreams fell out of favor, and dreams were given little significance during that time. During this period of time, dreams were thought to be the result of bad food, indigestion, anxiety or even noises in the night.

Later in the 19th century, however, Sigmund Freud would start his psychiatric practice and revolutionize the interpretation of dreams. Freud's work on dreams is still considered a seminal work even today, and many of Freud's theories of dream interpretation are still studied and followed over a century later.

Dreams about arms

Seeing arms, either your own or someone else's in a dream is very common. While arms do not always have special significance in dreams, arms can be very significant under some circumstances. Dreams in which details about arms remembered are likely to be significant, since it tends to be the most significant details that are remembered upon waking. Since dreams fade so quickly, if you are able to remember how arms figured in your dreams, chances are the dream had something important to tell you.

When you see your arms in a dream, especially when they represent an important part of the dream narrative, those arms may be symbols for your nurturing side, and for your desire to reach out and care for the people around you. Dreaming about arms is particularly common in people who are currently caring for, or worried about, a sick friend or family member. Reaching out with the arms in a dream is your mind's way of telling you how important it is to connect and care for those around you.

Dreams about arms can also be indications of the challenges and struggles in your life. Again, the exact meaning will depend on the context of the arms within the dream narrative. Using your hands and arms for defense can indicate you feel like you are under attack, or that you need to defend yourself.

The impetus for this kind of dream about arms could come from many sources. For instance, perhaps you feel like you are being unfairly singled out for criticism in your job, and you feel a desire to strike back or defend yourself against the onslaught. Or perhaps you feel overwhelmed by events in your life, and you feel the need to struggle against those challenges.

Dreams in which your arm is injured, or dreams in which you appear with your arm in a cast, can signify that you feel an inability to care for yourself. These kind of injured or broken arm dreams an also mean that you are feeling helpless in being able to care for others. People who are caring for a friend or family member whose medical condition is beyond their control may experience dreams in which their arm is injured, or they may see themselves in a cast.

A dream about a broken or injured arm can also mean that the dreamer has been feeling restricted or limited in his or her activities. Seeing yourself constrained in the dream, by a cast or a broken arm, can be a symbol of your perceived restriction of freedom or movement.

The specific arm featured in the dream also carries a significance. The right arm is often seen as a symbol for an outgoing nature, and the right arm is often associated with the masculine side of the dreamer's nature. The left arm, on the other hand, is more associated with female characteristics, such as nurturing and caring.

A dream in which the dreamer injures someone else's arms, or even rips them from their sockets, indicate that the dreamer has been repressing anger towards another person, but has been prevented from expressing that anger for one reason or another. Like most dreams about violence, this type of dream stems from a repressed anger and a perceived inability to do anything about it.

Understanding Dream Imagery

Interpreting and analyzing dreams can be great fun for the adventurous dreamer. Simply keeping a dream journal for a few days can sometimes provide you with valuable insights into both the meaning of your dreams and unresolved issues in your waking life.

Dream interpretation can even be part of many people's careers. In particular, therapists and psychologists often used dream analysis as part of their practices, especially when working with people who suffer nightmares as a result of trauma and stress.

This article, though will take a more lighthearted approach to dream interpretation. Let's start with an examination of the colors often seen in dreams, and what those colors may symbolize.

Dreaming in color

Most dreamers report dreaming in color at least some of the time, and for many the colors encountered in the dream world are even more vivid than those encountered in the real world. A quick dream color quick is listed below.

- Pink - Pink is generally understood to be a symbol of love, and dreaming of pink objects can symbolize a happy love affair.

- Red - Red has several different meanings, including passion and anger. The actual meaning of red objects in a dream is dependent on its context within the dream.

- Black - Black is often seen as a negative symbol. Black can symbolize the a void in the dreamer's life, or a fear of death or aging.

- Grey - Grey is a color midway between black and white, and therefore grey is often seen as a symbol of fear or of confusion. People struggling with an important decision will often dream in shades of grey.

- White - White is generally understood to be a symbol of purity, but like black it can also symbolize a fear of aging or death. Dreaming of white objects can also indicate a fear of change or of new surroundings.

- Green - Green can be a symbol of the yearning for spiritual or physical renewal, or for growth and healing.

- Blue - Blue can often symbolize spirituality, but in some circumstances it can indicate sadness as well. To understand the true meaning, it is important to look at the context of the dream.

- Yellow - Yellow is often seen as a symbol for calm, peace and hope. Yellow is the color of sunshine, and dreams of yellow are often sunny, happy dreams.

Dreams about numbers

Numerologists probably have their own interpretations of every possible number encountered in a dream, and every number can mean several different things depending on the context of the specific dreams. Many people put great stock in dreams about numbers, even going so far as to play those numbers in the lottery. While we can't guarantee you a winning lottery ticket, we can provide some common explanations for dream numbers.

- One - The number one can be a symbol for wholeness or unity. Dreaming of the number one could mean that you feel your life is complete.

- Two - The number two can stand for balance, such as spiritual balance. Dreaming of the number two could indicate a life in balance.

- Three - Three is one of the most commonly seen numbers in dreams, and it is often thought to symbolize spiritual fulfillment, harmony or unity.

- Five - The number five can be an indication of an upcoming change. How the number is encountered in the dream could indicate whether the change in your real life is welcomed or feared.

What Dreams About Houses Mean?

Dreams of houses, both familiar houses and unfamiliar ones, are very common. Dream researchers and dream interpreters generally understand the various rooms dreamt about to have individual meanings. For instance, climbing to the attic might signal a yearning for spiritual growth, while a trip to the basement may mean you are searching for something you have forgotten.

This article examines each room that may be encountered in a "dream house", and examines what each room may mean. Of course everyone's dreams are unique, and the meaning of a single room can and does change from person to person.

The Attic

Dreams about the attic often provide clues to the higher self, or to your spiritual development. In particular, dreams in which the dreamer climbs up to the attic can symbolize a yearning for spiritual or religious growth.

The Bathroom

Entering the bathroom in a dream often signals a need for cleansing, or the need for a fresh start. A dream bathroom can be a signal that something in your life needs to be changed.

The Kitchen

Entering the kitchen in a dream can signal a need for nourishment of the spirit or the soul. The dream kitchen can symbolize a need for additional spiritual pursuits, or for a spiritual renewal.

The exact meaning of the kitchen in a dream can depend on the state of that kitchen. While a well stocked, bountiful pantry can indicate that your life is complete and that you have all you need, while a bare kitchen can indicate that your soul or spirit needs additional nourishment.

The Dining Room

Dreams about the dining room, like those about the kitchen, indicate a need for spiritual nourishment, but dreams of the dining room, or dreams of eating, indicate a more immediate need than do dreams of kitchens.

The Living Room

The living room in a dream can be seen as a symbol of normal daily life, or of interactions with others in your life. Dreams with lots of people, whether they are family members, friends or strangers, often take place in the living room of a dream house.

The Bedroom

The meaning of a dream bedroom can vary depending on the nature of the room in the dream. Dreams of bedrooms can express repressed sexuality, or a need for rest, depending on the situation.

The Upstairs

Climbing the stairs of your dream house can symbolize a search for your higher self, or a struggle for spiritual meaning. The upper floors of the house is where the religious and spiritual learning takes place.

The Downstairs

The downstairs of a house, and particularly the basement, can symbolize the subconscious mind and also hidden or repressed desires. Disturbing dreams featuring frightening basements are often an attempt to come to terms with disturbing aspects of your psyche.

The Ground Floor

The ground floor of the house can be seen as a symbol of what is currently happening in your life. The ground floor is often a representation of the daily life, or the mundane and everyday events in life.

Visits to Old, Familiar Houses

Visits to old and familiar houses, or to the house you grew up in, can represent a longing to return to a happier time. Dreams of childhood homes or familiar houses often take place when people are going through transitional times. Dreams of childhood homes can also be triggered by events in real life, such as a school reunion or an unexpected meeting with a childhood pal.

The Hallway

A hallway encountered in a dream can be a symbol for the need to journey to a new place in life. It can also symbolize a need to explore issues you have kept hidden away.

The Porch

A porch can often be a symbol of not knowing what to do, or of being unsure about an important decision.

What dreams about eyes mean?

Eyes are one of the most important distinguishing characteristics of any person, so it is no surprise that eyes often play such a prominent role in our dream lives as well.

One of the most intriguing dreams about eyes is the one in which the dreamer sees his or her own eyes in the dream. Seeing your own eyes in a dream, in a mirror for instance, or even symbolically, is often a representation of knowledge, enlightenment, intellectual awareness, understanding or sudden comprehension.

Dreaming about one's own eyes can often mean that unconscious or repressed thoughts and images are breaking through to the surface. The eyes are often seen as the window to the soul, so dreams about eyes can often be seen as meaning that hidden desires of the soul are coming through to the surface.

Dreaming of only one eye, or seeing only one eye in a dream, is very significant. The left eye is often seen as a symbol of the moon, while the right eye is seen instead as a symbol of the sun.

Some people have reported dreams in which their eyes turned around in their heads. This kind of dream can symbolize insight and spiritual awareness. Dreaming about inwardly turned eyes can indicate a desire on the part of the dreamer to examine themselves and their psyche. These kinds of dreams often accompany psychological turning points in the life of the dreamer. This type of dream about eyes can also mean that your subconscious is trying to warn you to be aware of something, or that you need to look within yourself for answers. This kind of dream can be a warning to the dreamer to trust his or her instincts and intuitions.

On the other hand, dreaming that you have something in your eye can mean that there are obstacles in your path. Dreams in which the dreamer has something in his or her eye can be the subconscious way of telling the dreamer that they need to overcome the barriers in their path. These kinds of dreams can also be representations of the dreamer's tendency to take a critical view of the actions of others.

Dreams in which the dreamer has only one eye can symbolize the dreamer's refusal to accept or see other points of view. It can mean that the dreamer suffers from a jaded and stubborn way of thinking.

Dreaming that you have a third eye can mean that you should pay attention to your insight and inner vision. Dreams about a third eye are often warnings for the dreamer to look within themselves.

Dreams of injured or closed eyes can symbolize a refusal to confront the truth about something you have been hiding from. This kind of dream is often about avoiding intimacy, or avoiding looking at something you should. Dreams about closed or injured eyes can also be expressions of pain or hurt feelings.

Dreaming about crossed eyes can mean that you are not seeing things properly. Dreams about crossed eyes can indicate that you may be getting mixed up.

The Importance of Remembering Your Dreams

Dream interpretation and analysis can be anything from a fun and interesting diversion to a serious, full time pursuit. Many people have been able to analyze their dreams and use the clues found there to address important issues in their waking lives, and dream analysis has been an important subject throughout the ages, from the earliest Greek and Roman philosophers to modern day society.

Before any dreamer can set about analyzing and interpreting his or her dreams, however, those dreams must first be remembered and recorded. Remembering your dreams is an often overlooked part of dream analysis, but it is the basis upon which all dream analysis stands or falls.

It is important to record dreams quickly, since dreams are one of the hardest things to capture. Half of a dream's content can be lost in as little as five minutes, and up to 90% of the dream can slip away within less than ten minutes.

Therefore, it is vital that anyone seeking to interpret or analyze his or her dreams keep a dream journal as close to the bed as possible. Keeping a notepad on the night stand or under the clock radio is ideal.

It is important to get into the habit of playing your dream back in your mind before you even open your eyes. That is because the clock is ticking as soon as you wake up. Running the dream back through your mind will serve to strengthen and reinforce some of those little details that will soon be forgotten.

Write down as many of those details as you possibly can, even if it just means jotting down a quick word of phrase. You can always fill in the gaps later, the goal is to get as much recorded about your dream in as short a period of time as possible.

After you have written down as many details as possible of your dream, it is a good idea to read what you have written, fill in as many gaps and details as you can, and try to make sense of it. If there are meaningful symbols in your dream, or things you recognize from real life, you may want to circle them or otherwise point them out.

It is best to keep a dream journal over a period of a few nights, in order to look for patterns and similar elements. There are often recurring themes in dreams, and those recurring themes can provide valuable clues to the root causes of the dream elements.

When interesting and analyzing your dreams, it is best to keep it a fun and exciting exercise. While dream interpretation can be used by experts such as psychologists and therapists to treat and diagnose issues, that part of dream analysis is best left to the experts.

It is of course possible to use your dreams as healing tools, or as ways to examine underlying issues in your life. For instance, dreams about being naked are often metaphors for being exposed in a lie, or having a secret revealed. If you see such a pattern in your dreams, it may be worth examining what parts of yourself you have kept hidden, and for what reasons.

Likewise, dreams of falling are often indications of feeling out of control. If you see a pattern of falling dreams emerging, you may want to examine your life and try to take better control of your waking hours.

What dreams about the back mean?

The back is one of the most commonly dreamed about parts of the body, and depending on its context within the dream the back can hold a great significance.

Backs can be symbols for many things, including your strengths, burdens, attitude and standing in the world. Dreaming of a back that hurts, or a back that feels as though it is breaking, can mean the dreamer feels overwhelmed or overburdened by the events in his or her life. Thus the dream is a manifestation of feelings of being asked to do too much with too little support.

Dreaming about a back can also indicate that the dreamer is feeling undue stress or pressure, especially from an outside source. Those who are feeling overworked or pushed to hard on their jobs often dream that their back is hurting. Stress is real life can cause back problems, and psychological stress can often manifest in dreams of an aching back.

If someone in your dream world turns their back on you, it can indicate that you harbor feelings of hurt, envy or jealousy toward that person. The identify of the person who turns their back to you can be quite significant and it should be heeded. Repressed feelings of anger or resentment often manifest themselves in dreams, and the turning of a dream character's back toward you is one of the clearest manifestations of repressed feelings of this nature.

Seeing a back in your dream, or being afraid to turn your back on a person in your dream, may also indicate that you fear a betrayal, either of a personal or professional nature. Dreaming about being afraid to turn your back to a coworker may indicate that you feel someone at work (not necessarily the person in the dream) is plotting against you. If the character you refuse to turn your back on is a friend, you may feel the betrayal of a friend. Again, the friend you fear will betray you may not be the one who appeared in the dream. Dreams are symbolic, and one friend can be a dream stand-in for another, especially if you do not want to face up to the possibility of their betraying you.

If you dream about a naked back, it can mean that you are keeping secrets from those in your life, and that you fear that those secrets could be revealed and you could be exposed. Dreams of any sort of nakedness, including an exposed back, are often manifestations of this type of fear. If you have been keeping secrets, dreaming of a naked back may mean your subconscious is telling you to come clean.

Fun Facts About Dreams and Their Meaning

Dreams have been around for at least as long as human beings, and dreams are universal, experienced by men and women, young and old, and people of all cultures and ethnicities. In some ways, dreams are a universal language, and there are certain themes, such as falling, flying, taking a test and finding yourself naked, that show up in dreams throughout the world. Dreams, it could be said, represent a kind of universal human language.

Dreams have been studied throughout history, and dream interpretation is an old art form indeed, dating back at least as far as 3000-4000 B.C. Even today, dream interpreters are highly sought out for their help untangling the sometimes puzzling world of dreams.

You may think you know everything there is to know about dreams and dream interpretation, but did you know that:

- A third of our lives is spent in sleep, and a good amount of that time is spent in dreams.

- The average person dreams from between four to seven times every night. That means that by the time you reach the age of 80, you will have had between 116,800 and 204,400 dreams.

- That number may be even larger, since there is evidence that dreaming begins even before birth. No one deigns to know what unborn babies dream about, but there is evidence that they do dream.

- In the average lifetime, a person will have spent approximately six years in dream sleep, equivalent to more than 2,100 days of dreaming.

- There are records of dream interpretation, written on clay tablets, dating back more than 4,000 years.

- Those who could interpret dreams were held in high regard in Roman and Greek societies, and their counsel was sought before making significant political and military decisions.

- Everyone dreams every night, even though only a tiny fraction of those dreams are remembered upon waking.

- Many animals dream as well, although no one has been able to ask them what they dream about.

- People have to dream, though no one really knows why. What we do know is that preventing people from dreaming can cause irritability, mood changes and even hallucinations.

- The average person spends about one quarter of his or her sleep time in dream sleep, and dreams an average of four to seven times during that time.

- The average episode of dream sleep lasts about 10 to 15 minutes.

- Dreams slip away very quickly upon waking. It is estimated that as much as half the dream's content is forgotten within five minutes, and after only ten minutes up to 90% of the dream can be gone forever.

- Men dream more about other men than about women, but women tend to dream about men and women equally.

- The brain is actually more active, not less during dream sleep than during wakefulness.

- People who are awakened during dream sleep are able to recall their dreams vividly and in great detail, while those who wake normally generally are not.

- Both men and women experience sexual arousal during most dreams, regardless of whether the nature of the dream was sexual or not.

- Smokers who are quitting often experience more intense dreams than either non smokers or current smokers.

- Babies and toddlers dream just as adults do, but studies have revealed they do not dream about themselves. Toddlers generally do not appear in their own dreams until they are at least three or four years old.

- It is not possible to dream and snore simultaneously.

- Nightmares are a common trauma of childhood, with the first nightmares usually occurring by the age of three, and typically lasting at least until the child is seven or eight years old.

- Many people report having experienced D¨¦j¨¤ vu in their dreams, but dreams involving D¨¦j¨¤ vu are more common in women than in men.

Frequently Asked Questions about Dreams and Dream Interpretation

There are many, many questions about dreams, dreamers and dream interpretation, and just about everyone who has had a dream has one or more questions about that dream. This article contains some of the most frequently encountered questions about the world of dreams and dream interpretation.

How many dreams do most people have in a night?

The average person has between four and seven dreams every night. Between 15% and 20% of the average night is spent sleeping, therefore an eight hour night of sleep will contain up to two hours of dream sleep.

Do I dream every night?

Yes. Every human being dreams every night, whether they can remember their dreams or not. The dreams that are easiest to remember are those that take place closest to waking.

Do people dream the entire night?

No. The entire night is not spent dreaming, and it usually takes a person anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes to reach a sleep state deep enough for dreams to occur. During the final and deepest stage of sleep, the sleeper will cycle in and out of REM sleep.

How long do dreams last?

The average session of dream sleep lasts from 10 to 20 minutes, after which the sleeper cycles back into the deepest stage of sleep. After a time, the sleeper will reenter dream sleep. Each session of dream sleep will contain its own unique dream.

Do the dreams of children have the same meaning as adult dreams?

In many cases, dreams are reflections of the concerns and experiences of the waking world. Since those concerns and experiences are different in children than in adults, the differences are reflected in dreams as well. Studies have shown that the dreams of young children do not have either strong emotional content or a real storyline. Children between the ages of 3 to 7 are often troubled my nightmares as well. These nightmares are often reflections of their own real world fears, like noises, monsters, etc. The dreams of older children and teenagers more closely match those experienced by adults.

Do young children dream about themselves?

It is interesting to note that children generally do not dream about themselves until they reach the age of three. Children younger than three do not usually dream about themselves, and are not characters in their own dreams. This may reflect the fact that most children do not develop a strong sense of self until the age of three.

Can dreams predict the future?

While many people feel that their dreams can predict the future, there is no scientific proof that dreams are predictive. What many people mistake for prediction may actually be the fact that the subconscious notices many things that go totally unnoticed by the waking mind. When the dreamer sleeps, the items noticed by the subconscious are incorporated into the dream, and the dreamer may notice many things the dreamer missed during the day. These unnoticed clues may be misinterpreted as predictions of the future, when in fact they were simply missed clues to present events.

Why do we dream?

The exact function of dream sleep is still a matter of contention among scientists and dream researchers. One popular theory holds that dreams are a way for the subconscious mind to cleanse itself and make sense of the sensory inputs gathered during the waking hours. Another popular theory is that dreams are a sort of release valve. For instance, many people hold back or repress their feelings of anger and resentment during the day. Dreams, the theory goes, are a handy and safe outlet for those repressed feelings to express themselves.

Dreams and their interpretation

Dream interpretation as an actual profession goes back at least as far as ancient Greek and Roman society, but informal dream interpretation is likely as old as dreaming itself. There is good reason to believe that people have been experiencing dreams as long as their have been people, and we know that dreams and their interpretation date back at least as far as 3000-4000 B.C. We know that because the interpretations of various dreams were recorded on stone tablets and found later by archeologists.

Many scientists and anthropologists believe that ancient peoples were unable to distinguish the difference between the real, or physical world, and the dream world, or the world of the unconscious. To many of these people, there was no distinction, and the dream world was simply an extension of the physical world.

In fact, many of these ancient cultures, and some modern ones as well, felt that the dream world is more powerful and real than the physical universe, and that dreams are the soul's way of communing with the infinite, and gathering knowledge and wisdom from the past.

While science knows a great deal about dreams and their meaning, in many ways dreams remain as much a mystery today as when the first cavemen dreamed about the thrill of the hunt or the fear of running from faster predators.

For instance, scientists still do not know why we dream, or what the purpose of dream sleep is, but they do know that people need to dream. Volunteers deprived of dream sleep experienced all manner of psychological problems, ranging from problems concentrating to visual and auditory hallucinations.

Dream interpretation has a long and storied history, and dream interpreters have been in high demand throughout history. The interpretation of dreams was so important to the ancient Greek and Roman societies that they rode along with soldiers in battle, and advised rulers on the best course of action. Dreams were taken quiet seriously in these societies, and a dream thought to be an ill omen was enough to derail a piece of legislation or even put off a long planned battle.

The culture of ancient Egypt also gave dreams great importance, as well as religious significance. The Egyptians believed that dreams contained messages from the gods, and these messages were to be heeded. We know about the importance the ancient Egyptians placed on dreams, because dreams and their interpretations were recorded in hieroglyphs. People who had particularly vivid dreams were given a special place in society, and thought to be blessed by the gods. Those who had special abilities to interpret those dreams also enjoyed a blessed status and a special place in Egyptian society.

Egypt was not alone in the Middle East as a source of dreams and dream interpretation. The Bible contains over 700 mentions of dreams, and many dream interpretations as well. The dreams of prophets, and the interpretations of those dreams, played a large role in Biblical history.

Dream interpretation was often looked upon as a form of prophecy, and dreams were often analyzed to provide clues to future events. Dreams were seen to be messages from gods, spirits or from departed relatives.

Understanding various types of dreams

Dreams come in a wide variety of subjects and types, and almost anything in our waking lives can become fertile ground for reinterpretation in the dream world. Analyzing these various kinds of dreams can be fun and exciting, for both experts and normal dreamers alike.

Dream researchers through the years have discovered several types of dreams. Most people experience a variety of these dream categories through their lives, but some types of dreams are more common than others for many people.

Dream #1 - the Daydream

The daydream is not like other dreams, in that it takes places while the person is awake. It is important to note, however, that daydreams take place in a state of consciousness that is somewhere between full waking and full sleep.

Studies have shown that most people spend anywhere from 70 to 120 minutes daydreaming each day. During a daydream, the imagination is allowed free rein, and it often takes us to far off places and exciting adventures.

Dream #2 - the Lucid Dream

Dreams in which you know you are dreaming, or lucid dreams, are one of the most fascinating subjects for dreamers and dream researchers alike. In many cases, realizing it is a dream immediately wakes the dreamer and ends the dream.

Some people, however, learn to remain in the dream even after they have learned its nature. They may even learn how to take control of the dream and become an active participant in the dream world. These lucky people often have incredible adventures night after night.

Dream #3 - the Nightmare

Most people experience at least a few nightmares during their life, and nightmares are particularly common among young children. Most children experience their first nightmare by the age of three, and continue to be troubled by them until the age of six or seven.

In addition, people who have suffered traumas, or been through very upsetting experiences or upheavals, often suffer from very vivid nightmares during which they relieve the traumatic experience. The user of professional counselors or psychologists is often required to deal with these types of nightmares.

Dream #4 - the Recurring Dream

Recurring dreams are those that seem to repeat time and time again. In some cases, the exact same dream may repeat night after night, while at other times the theme will remain the same as the scenarios or details change. Recurring dreams are fascinating to study, and while often there is an obvious real life trigger, often there is not.

Some people may even experience so called narrative dreams. These dreams, which can play out like a soap opera, often pick up where they left off the night before. The people who experience these dreams are often anxious to get to bed and find out what happens next.

Dream #5 - the Healing Dream

Some people, especially the very spiritually minded, experience healing dreams. These types of dreams are often seen as messages from the body to the mind to seek medical attention.

Dream #6 - the Prophetic Dream

Most people have had at least one dream that appeared to come true, but many people claim to have prophetic dreams on a regular basis. Because of the symbolic nature of dreams, it can often be difficult to tell if the dream was really a predictor or simply a coincidence.

In some cases, what seems like prophecy actually has a rational explanation. For instance, the subconscious mind is able to absorb much more information than can be processed by the conscious mind. This information is then rearranged during dream sleep. It is possible that he subconscious picked up various clues about an event, and created a predication about that event that ended up coming true.

Dream #7 - the Epic Dreams

Some people experience, large, sweeping, epic dreams. These dreams can be likened to an epic or blockbuster film, and their details can remain vivid and memorable months, or even years, after the original dream.

Understanding your dreams - common dream symbols

People have been fascinated with dreams and what they mean almost as long as there have been people. From the earliest civilizations to the world of today, dreams have been imbued with great significance, and people have looked to these nighttime excursions for insights and clues into their waking existence.

While dreams are not magical keys to the waking world, they can provide valuable clues and insights into the mental and even physical state of he dreamer. Dreams can tell you a lot, like whether you feel in charge or out of control, whether you feel secure or anxious, and whether you feel ready to take on the day or set adrift.

Dream analysis ranges from writing down and analyzing your own dreams for fun to therapists, psychologists and others who analyze the dreams of others as part of their careers. When studying dreams, there are a number of basic symbols whose meaning has been interpreted through many studies of dreams.

As with all aspects of dreaming, however, these symbols are highly personal. Each dream is as unique as the individual who dreamed it, and no dream symbol is truly universal. All dream symbols will have shades of meaning, and the meaning is often dependent upon the context of the object within the dream.

Airplane

Dreaming about taking a trip on an airplane can mean you are ready to overcome your obstacles by rising above them. Dreaming about flaying a plane can indicate you are feeling in control and confident.

Alcohol

Dreams about alcohol can mean many things, depending on the dreamer's relationship to and experience with alcohol. For instance, a recovering alcoholic may express fear of relapse through dreams of alcohol, while a devout Catholic may dream of wine as a symbol of the blood of Christ.

Angels

Angels are seen to symbolize purity and goodness. Dreaming of angels bearing messages can mean there is something the dreamer needs to hear and pay attention to.

Beheading

Dreams about a beheading can mean that past poor judgment or bad decision are being recalled. Loss of ones head can also indicate a lessening or loss of intellectual capacity.

Cancer

Dreaming about cancer or other wasting conditions can be indications that the dreamer feels he or she is wasting his or her life and losing hope.

Couch

Dreaming about a couch can symbolize love and longing.

Doctor

Dreaming about a doctor can indicate anxiety about health. In some cases, the doctor can be used to represent another authority figure, such as a clergyman or teacher.

Drowning

Dreaming about drowning can indicate you feel overwhelmed or out of control.

Earth

Dreaming of earth, or of working the earth, often represents that your life has a firm structure.

Exam

Dreaming about failing an exam is very common. Dreams about an exam can represent anxieties in either work or school.

Father

Dreams about one's father have meanings that vary along with the relationship between father and child. Dreaming of an absent or estranged father can be manifestations of yearning for a lost childhood.

Fire

Dreams about fire can also have various meanings. Fire can symbolize destruction, but it can also symbolize passion.

Food

Dreaming of food can mean a desire for spiritual or mental nourishment, or a need to be taken care of.

Giants

Dreaming about giants can indicate that you fear obstacles in your life and see certain problems as insurmountable.

Globe

Dreams about a still globe can mean the dreamer's life is in control, while seeing a spinning globe can indicate that the dreamer's life is spinning out of control.

Gun

Dreaming about guns can indicate a desire for protection, or a fear of crime.

Hell

Dreams of hell can indicate a fear of being punished, or a manifestation of past guilt.

Joke

Telling a joke in a dream can mean you take life lightly and not too seriously.

Knife

Seeing a knife in your dream could indicate you fear being betrayed by a friend or family member.

Magic

Dreaming about magic, or performing a magic trick, can symbolize creativity and power.

Money

The meaning of dreams about money depends on the context. Dreams about wealth can indicate that the dreamer is powerful and in control, while dreaming about lack of money can be manifestations of low self worth.

Monster

Monsters in a dream can represent parts of the dreamer's mind of which he or she is ashamed.

Office

Dreaming of being at an office can indicate the dreamer is preoccupied with work and making money.

Understanding the world of dreams

Dreams provide us with a fascinating glimpse into the subconscious world, and many people see dream interpretation as a way to diagnose and treat real world problems.

This trust in dream analysis does have some basis in fact, and many psychologists and therapists use dreams in treating patients who are recovering from trauma. These trauma survivors often suffer from recurring dreams and nightmare scenarios, and the fact that dream therapy works proves the strong connection between the waking world and the world of dreams.

For most people, however, analyzing their dreams is nothing but a fun diversion and a source of insight into their everyday lives. In order to gain insight into your dreams, it is important to understand what some common dream objects symbolize.

Of course every dream, and every dreamer is different, and this list is by no means comprehensive. Every object encountered in a dream will have a different interpretation, depending on its context within the dream and the state of the dreamer.

Alien

There are several types of alien dreams. Dreams in which the dreamer is an alien can represent that he or she is unsure about a new house, new town or new job.

On the other hand, dreaming about being abducted or probed by an alien being can represent a fear of the unknown, or a feeling that your life is being invaded, perhaps by an overbearing relative, friend or coworker.

Baptism

Dreaming of a baptism, whether your own or someone else's, is generally thought to be a symbol of renewal or rebirth.

Burial

Dreams of a burial can be symbols for the disposal of unwanted habits, or even the breakup of an unhappy relationship.

Cemetery

Seeing a cemetery in your dreams, or visiting a grave site, can represent a longing for lost times or lost love ones. It can also represent a more generalized sort of grief.

Clouds

The meaning of clouds depends in large part on their nature. Dreams about white puffy clouds can represent contentment, while seeing storm clouds in your dream could represent fear about an impending change.

Digging

Dreams about digging can have many different meanings. Digging in a dream can mean you are trying to recover something that you have lost, or that you have been trying to understand yourself better.

Drinking

Drinking in a dream often symbolizes a longing, or thirst, for something that has not been attained. Dreamers should pay attention to what they are seeking in their waking lives.

Earthquake

Dreaming about being in an earthquake can represent a feeling that your life is not under your control. Of course people who have actually experienced earthquakes may recall the real event in dreams as well.

Fat

Dreams about fat can also have several meanings. Dreaming about being overweight can indicate anxiety about appearance and body image. On the other hand, fat can also symbolize knowledge and wisdom.

Flood

Dreaming about a flood, or dreams of drowning, often indicate that the dreamer is feeling overwhelmed by something in his or her life.

Hourglass

Dreams of an hourglass can symbolize that time is running out. Many people dream of an hourglass when pressed to make an important decision on short notice.

Judgment

Dreaming about a judge, or being judged, may indicate feelings of guilt or regret.

Map

Dreaming about a map, or about being lost, can symbolize a need for guidance, or a quest for leadership. It could indicate that the dreamer is unsure what decision to make.

Old Man

Dreaming about an unfamiliar old man can symbolize wisdom or forgiveness.

Prison

Dreaming of prison, or of being in prison, can be a manifestation of hidden feelings of guilt.

Sex

Dreaming about sex can indicate sexual desire or a longing for closeness and intimacy.

Zero

The number zero is a symbol for the infinite. The exact meaning of the number zero within a dream, however, is almost entirely dependent on its context within the dream.

Analyzing common dream world symbols

Dreams represent a fascinating alternate reality, and dream analysis is a fascinating subject for professionals and lay people alike. Many people feel that if they could just understand and take control of their dreams, all their real world problems would be solved.

While this position may be a bit of a stretch, it is true that many issues in dreams have their roots in the waking world, and when these daytime issues are solved, so to are the dreams they sparked.

When studying the fascinating and sometimes confusing world of dreams, it is a good idea to look at the symbols many other people have found in common dream objects.

Accident

A dream accident could represent fear of an actual accident, or it could represent fear of some sort of mental or physical breakdown.

Awakening

Dreaming about waking up can symbolize a realization of, or openness to, new ideas and new experiences.

Brother

Dreaming about a brother has different meanings depending on the relationship of the dreamer to his or her actual brother. If there is a strained relationship, a dream about a brother can represent an inner core of love and respect for the sibling.

Climbing

Dreams of climbing can be symbols for yearning or reaching, or for the attaining of new mental, spiritual or physical goals.

Desert

Dreaming of a desert, or of being lost in a desert, can represent loneliness and longing.

Door

A door can be a symbol for the possibility of a better opportunity. Being afraid to open a door in a dream can mean you are afraid to try new things.

Eating

Eating in a dream can represent nourishment, or the need to be taken care of.

Falling

Dreams of falling can represent a loss of control, or a feeling of being unable to maintain your position in life.

Gate

A gate in a dream is similar to a door, in that it represents an opportunity for movement and growth. Going through the gate can be a sign that you are ready to try new things.

Heart

The heart is seen as a symbol of love. Most dreams which include heart shapes center on love and romance.

Immobility

Dreams of being paralyzed or immobilized can be indications that the dreamer feels trapped. For instance, you may feel trapped or smothered in a relationship, or you may feel like you are unable to get ahead at your job.

Jumping

Dreaming about jumping can symbolize that the dreamer is open to achieving greater goals. Jumping is usually a positive symbol, and it can mean that the dreamer faces a bright future.

Ladder

A ladder can be a symbol for growth, or for spiritual learning. A ladder can symbolize a desire to reach higher, or to achieve greater happiness.

Military

Dreams about military figures often symbolize a desire for authority. Dreams about the military often represent a craving for the bravery engendered by the armed forces.

Noose

Dreaming about a noose can symbolize a guilt and a fear of punishment. Seeing a noose in your dreams may mean you are afraid of something in your waking life.

Pig

The meaning of the pig symbol depends on your cultural frame of reference. While to most westerners a pig symbolizes greed and filth, to the Chinese a pig is a symbol of strength.

Rain

Rain also has a number of meanings in the dream world. In some scenarios, rain can symbolize depression, while at other times it can represent a cleansing and a renewal. The meaning will depend on the context of rain within the dream.

How we dream and why we dream?

When investigating the interpretation of dreams, it is important to examine just what role dreams play in our lives. Dream research has shown that dreams play an important role, both physically and psychologically, and a thorough understanding of how we dream and why we dream is an important basis for anyone interested in dream interpretation.

The physical side of dreaming

During dream sleep, the body goes through some important changes. When in dream sleep, the level of adrenaline release goes up, the blood pressure rises, and the hear rate goes up as well. It is important to note the results that scientists have found on brain waves and dreaming. Dream research has shown that brain activity during dream sleep is actually higher than during normal waking hours. Therefore, dreaming could be thought of in many ways as a higher state of consciousness.

Dream sleep is also known as REM sleep, or rapid eye movement sleep. As the name implies, the eyes move rapidly beneath their closed lids during dream sleep. Dream sleep takes place in the final state of sleep and takes up between 15% and 20% of sleep time for the average person. Every person will dream between four and seven times during the average night, but the dreams most likely to be remembered in the morning are those that take place closest to waking.

Just because the dreamer does not remember the dreams, however, does not mean they did not occur. Every person dreams every night, whether they remember those dreams or not. It typically takes between 30 and 90 minutes from falling asleep to the start of dreaming. After the deepest stage of sleep is reached, the dreamer will cycle in and out of REM sleep during the rest of the night. During REM sleep, the blood pressure and heart rate both fluctuate and increase.

It is also important to know that the body is completely immobile during dream sleep. While we may toss and turn during other parts of the sleep cycle, the muscles remain completely relaxed during dream sleep. This is commonly known as "dream paralysis" or "sleep paralysis".

The psychological side of dreaming

While science still does not fully understand the function of dream sleep, we do know that dreaming is essential to our physical and psychological well being. Studies have shown that those who are deprived of dream sleep exhibit a variety of psychological symptoms. In one study, volunteers were awakened just before they could enter the REM sleep cycle, then allowed to fall asleep again. This cycle was repeated throughout the night.

Even though all the volunteers sleep the same amount of time as ususal, they exhibited an impairment in their daily activities The subjects exhibited disoriention, depression and other psychological ills. In addition, the dream deprived volunteers showed irritability and quick tempers as well. As the study continued thorugh several consectutive nights, the volunteers continued to become more and more agitated and psychologically unwell.

This study, as well as subsequent studies have shown that dreaming is an integral part of our well being. Further studies have confirmed the importance of dreaming, and the psychological effects caused by depriving sleepers of the ability to dream.