Dream Meanings from A to Z
Explore the meaning of dreams from A to Z in our complete online dream dictionary.
From flying to falling, teeth to tornadoes — uncover the hidden messages and psychological insights behind your dreams using our easy alphabetical list.
Browse dream symbols and their meanings organized alphabetically. Click on any letter to explore dreams starting with that letter.
How to Use the Dream Dictionary
Our Dream Dictionary contains common dream symbols and their interpretations from various spiritual and psychological traditions. Click on any letter above to explore dreams that start with that letter. Each symbol includes its general meaning and significance.
How to Distinguish Prophetic Dreams from Ordinary Ones: The Key to True Interpretation
When a Dream Truly Matters: Conditions for Prophetic Dreams
To interpret your dreams you must bear in mind that the first step is to learn to distinguish between a valid prophetic dream and one that has no subconscious or clairvoyant significance.
Deep Sleep Phase: The Time When Prophetic Images Appear
Dreams of a prophetic nature usually occur to you during the deepest part of your night’s sleep; for most of you this will be between 2:00 A.M. and 7:00 A.M. By this time digestion has usually been completed, your body muscles are normally relaxed, and your mind is mainly free of the day’s events. Dreams which occur under these conditions are generally worth your efforts at interpretation.
Recurring Dreams: Are They Always a Sign from Above?
When a Dream Repeats Several Times — Pay Attention!
Persistent or recurring dreams can be traced, almost invariably, to some physical or psychological cause and as a rule have no prophetic significance. However, a dream that recurs only two or three times is a different matter and should be seriously considered.
Dreams Not Worth Interpreting: Examples and Explanations
External Influences: Food, Alcohol, Noise, Temperature
Dreams which have no significance (although they may be more vividly recalled than meaningful ones) are:
Those that you have after you have overeaten or overindulged in alcohol before going to bed.
Those that can be traced to external physical conditions, such as a man who dreamed he was being attacked by a tiger and awoke to find that his bridgework had somehow come out and his teeth were actually pressing into his thigh. Or you may dream that you are adrift on a floating iceberg and wake up to find the heat has gone off in your room and your blankets are on the floor.
There are also various noises: for instance, traffic, hammering, an aeroplane flying low, loud music, and so forth which may not actually awaken you but which can nevertheless influence your dream. You have, no doubt, at some time dreamed you heard bells ringing and you woke up to realize that your telephone or doorbell has been or is ringing.
Emotional Pressure and Daily Experiences
If you have been deeply grieved or very frightened, it can influence your dreams, and dreams that occur during illness, fever, or following a shock must be discounted.
Also dreams that you have after seeing a disturbing play, movie, or TV programme.
And, obviously, dreams connected with people, things, or situations that have actively concerned you during the current day should be ignored.
Most Common Disturbing Dreams: Are They Always Prophetic?
A certain group of common dreams, which occur to almost everyone at some time, appear to be more easily recalled than others. This is because they produce decidedly unpleasant sensations, and dreams of this type should be considered as prophetic only when they cannot be attributed to external physical conditions as listed above.
Top 6 Dreams Everyone Experiences
They fall into the following categories:
• Falling
• Being helplessly pushed or drawn into danger
• Being nude and unable to find clothing
• Floating or flying through space
• Being unable to cry out for help
• Being unable to move away from approaching danger
Important Note: Physical Causes Invalidate Symbolism
Unless the dreamer can be absolutely certain that no extraneous physical cause existed during these dreams, they should be ignored.
Categories of Prophetic Dreams
Prophetic dreams usually fall into one of the following categories:
- PRECOGNITIVE – the interpretation of which usually foretells important events.
- WARNING – the interpretation of which may suggest the nature of an impending danger.
- FACTUAL – the interpretation of which simply confirms or emphasizes a situation that the dreamer knows about.
- INSPIRATIONAL – the interpretation of which suggests a solution or course of action in regard to a personal or business problem.
How to Interpret Dreams Correctly: General Guidelines
The interpretation of dreams, like any other skill, becomes more interesting with practice. Dream symbols are a language of the subconscious mind, and perseverance is key.
Observer vs. Participant
As a rule of thumb:
• If you are merely an observer in the dream, it is likely a warning.
• If you are actively involved, the dream affects you personally.
Dream Symbols: Basic Interpretation Rules
• Clean or shiny = good omen; dirty or dull = obstacles.
• Going up = success; going down = setbacks.
• Success in the dream = success in real life (unless it’s a dream of contrast).
• Illness in a dream may mean you need a real-life medical checkup.
• Positive family interactions = business success; negative ones = potential trouble.
The Importance of Details in Dream Interpretation
Focus on the Most Memorable Element
Every dream consists of multiple symbols. Start with the one you remember best — the “main feature” — but don’t ignore the rest.
Example: How to Read Complex Dreams
• If your dream involves a party — look up food, flowers, strangers, clothes.
• If you dream of an unfamiliar room — check furniture, color, carpets, materials.
Every small detail may change the meaning.
Basic Rules to Remember for Accurate Dream Reading
Key Dream Analysis Principles
• Make sure the dream could be prophetic — not caused by food, stress, or illness.
• The clearest, most vivid image is usually the most important.
• The clarity of the dream suggests its importance.
• Timing matters: the closer you are to the key symbol in your dream, the sooner the event it predicts is likely to occur.
• If minor symbols contradict the main one — it suggests a delay or modification of the main dream meaning.
Final Thought: Cultivate the Skill of Interpretation
The purpose of this section is to help you make the most of your dreams. As Aristotle said:
“The skilful interpreter of dreams is he who has the faculty of observing resemblances.”
Try to develop that faculty, and you’ll become skilled at unlocking the language of your subconscious.