- The theme people has 8 symbols in the dream dictionary.
- The most searched symbols of the theme are demon, job, zombies.
- Every symbol is read three ways: folk dream books, psychology and sleep research.
- The details of the dream, the colour, the behaviour and how you felt, change the reading.
- Dream interpretation is a tradition of reading symbols; it does not predict events.
What people mean in a dream
In the 20th century psychology joined the tradition. Sigmund Freud read dreams as the expression of repressed wishes, Carl Gustav Jung as the psyche’s attempt to restore balance. Modern sleep research shows that the content of dreams is shaped largely by the day’s impressions and by sensations in the sleeping body.
If you cannot find the exact word, start from a theme. Inside each theme the symbols are grouped and compared with one another.
Most searched dreams about people
DemonPeopleA dream about demons is traditionally read as temptation, guilt or an enemy who works by deceit. Psychology reads the demon as the dreamer’s own disowned side made monstrous, and sleep research links demon and devil dreams to nightmares, fever, sleep paralysis and the fears a culture supplies.JobPeopleA dream about work is traditionally read as work itself: effort that will be rewarded, or a burden that follows the dreamer to bed. Psychology reads the workplace as the dreamer’s standing, competence and fear of judgement, and research finds work is the single most common setting of adult dreams in working people.ZombiesPeopleA dream about zombies has no place in the old dream books; modern folk reading treats the walking dead as burnout, crowds and things that will not stay finished. Psychology reads zombies as parts of life that move without feeling; research reads the zombie apocalypse as the newest form of the ancient chase dream.Unknown manPeopleA dream about an unknown man is traditionally read by his looks: Miller says a handsome, well-formed man means enjoyment and rich possessions, a misshapen one disappointments. Psychology reads the stranger as a part of the dreamer not yet known; research finds unfamiliar men in a large share of dreams.GhostPeopleA dream about ghosts is traditionally read as unfinished business: a memory, a person or a debt that has not been laid to rest. Psychology treats the ghost as a part of the past still acting on the present, and sleep research links the felt presence to a half-awake brain.WitchPeopleA dream about a witch is traditionally read as a warning about a scheming person or a bad influence close to home. Psychology reads the witch as a figure of power the dreamer both fears and wants, and research places her among the classic threat figures of nightmares.AngelPeopleA dream about angels is traditionally read as a message: protection, consolation or a call to change one's ways. Psychology reads the angel as the dreamer's own better judgment given a face, and research links such dreams to belief, comfort and periods of loss.GodPeopleA dream about God is traditionally read as a call: to repent, to change one's beliefs or to accept a great favour. Psychology reads the figure as the dreamer's highest authority given a face, and research finds such dreams most often among believers and at turning points.
All symbols: people
AngelA dream about angels is traditionally read as a message: protection, consolation or a call to change one's ways. Psychology reads the angel as the dreamer's own better judgment given a face, and research links such dreams to belief, comfort and periods of loss.DemonA dream about demons is traditionally read as temptation, guilt or an enemy who works by deceit. Psychology reads the demon as the dreamer’s own disowned side made monstrous, and sleep research links demon and devil dreams to nightmares, fever, sleep paralysis and the fears a culture supplies.GhostA dream about ghosts is traditionally read as unfinished business: a memory, a person or a debt that has not been laid to rest. Psychology treats the ghost as a part of the past still acting on the present, and sleep research links the felt presence to a half-awake brain.GodA dream about God is traditionally read as a call: to repent, to change one's beliefs or to accept a great favour. Psychology reads the figure as the dreamer's highest authority given a face, and research finds such dreams most often among believers and at turning points.JobA dream about work is traditionally read as work itself: effort that will be rewarded, or a burden that follows the dreamer to bed. Psychology reads the workplace as the dreamer’s standing, competence and fear of judgement, and research finds work is the single most common setting of adult dreams in working people.Unknown manA dream about an unknown man is traditionally read by his looks: Miller says a handsome, well-formed man means enjoyment and rich possessions, a misshapen one disappointments. Psychology reads the stranger as a part of the dreamer not yet known; research finds unfamiliar men in a large share of dreams.WitchA dream about a witch is traditionally read as a warning about a scheming person or a bad influence close to home. Psychology reads the witch as a figure of power the dreamer both fears and wants, and research places her among the classic threat figures of nightmares.ZombiesA dream about zombies has no place in the old dream books; modern folk reading treats the walking dead as burnout, crowds and things that will not stay finished. Psychology reads zombies as parts of life that move without feeling; research reads the zombie apocalypse as the newest form of the ancient chase dream.
Questions people ask
What does it mean to dream about people?
It depends on the symbol and the details. Folk dream books give each symbol a fixed reading, psychology asks what this image means to you, and sleep research reminds that dreams rework the day. Open a symbol for all three.
Does the same symbol always mean the same thing?
In dream books, mostly yes. In psychology, no: the same image can mean different things to different people, and your feeling in the dream is the key.
What if my symbol is not here?
Use the search. If nothing comes up, describe the dream in a few words on the search page; the editor reviews suggestions and adds the symbols that people ask for.
Sources
- Miller G. H. Ten Thousand Dreams Interpreted, 1901.
- Freud S. The Interpretation of Dreams, 1899.
- Jung C. G. Man and His Symbols, 1964.
- Artemidorus. Oneirocritica, 2nd century.
- Hall C. S., Van de Castle R. L. The Content Analysis of Dreams, 1966.
- Schredl M. Dream research: an introduction, in various editions.
How this page is made
Each symbol page sets three readings side by side and names where each comes from. A symbol is published only when its page has a full description with sources. Search volumes decide which symbols are written first.