Carl Jung Symbols Appear In Dreams And Your Waking Hours

By Dominique Martin


Some dream symbols are universal and apply to men as well as women. In Jungian theory, this is called the collective unconscious. Carl Jung is the famous psychoanalyst and author responsible for creating his theories of Jung symbols.

Great emphasis was placed on the figures who appeared in dreams and the figures who existed in the waking hours. They represented people who were part of the dreamers waking life. He defined seven major archetypal characters and correlated their symbolic meanings to actual people.

Each person has a Persona which serves to represent you as the world perceives you. In a dream you are represented symbolically. When you wake, if you recall the dream, you automatically know that the famous singer or beggar at the airport is representing you.

The next archetype is The Shadow and he symbolizes your worst traits. These are the ones you try to hide from the world. In dreams, this Shadow appears in the role of some kind of monster. Seeing him in a dream makes you very angry.

According to these theories each person has a male and a female side. These are called Anima-Animus. These traits are not acknowledged while awake. While asleep a woman may be seen acting in a masculine way, growing a beard for example. A man may dream of wearing womens clothes.

Dr. Jungs concepts came from a different era since he died in 1960. The roles filled by male and female were sharply delineated in those earlier days. Men were considered weak if they cried. Women were raised to fill largely non-aggressive roles.

The fourth symbol is The Divine Child. In your dreams this purest part of yourself appears as a baby or child. It embodies your innocence. It also represents the aspirations you hold and the full potential you can hope to reach.

The main authority figure in your life is represented by a Wise Old Man or Woman. Any knowledgeable individual who offers help can fill this role. It might be a teacher you depend on for guidance. The Wise Old Man represents that character.

The Great Mother appearing in your dreams may be your own mother or other caretaker. As a nurturing entity she will be reassuring. Jung believed that the mother grows jealous of a child who grows distant as he grows older. This may give off negativity expressed in the dream as dominance or death.

The Trickster is the seventh archetype. His name describes exactly what he does. His appearance might signify an error made foolishly during the day. He would embody your extreme embarrassment. This Trickster is a troubling influence and may leave you feeling vulnerable and weak.

The writings of Jung included early works such as Psychology of the Unconscious. His theories have an impact on psychiatry to this day. His final book, Man and His Symbols, gave a vivid portrayal of the complexity of the theories he held to be true.

His books, written in German, have been translated into English and other languages. A few of his works were written in English. He left behind a large body of work detailing the theories he created.




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