Dream Symbol:
Crying
Carl Jung's Interpretation:
From Carl Jung's perspective, crying in dreams symbolizes a deep, often psyche-related, inner experience. It is a manifestation of the soul's attempt to negotiate and heal profound emotional upheaval, distress, or inner conflicts. Depths of the subconscious mind use the imagery of tears to communicate the grief that can’t always be acknowledged or processed during waking state. Jung might conclude that the dreamer is dealing with profound emotional turmoil not fully addressed in waking life.
James Hillman's Interpretation:
James Hillman would interpret crying in dreams as the soul's expression of sentiments and texture of feelings that are unprocessed or neglected in our awake world. The crying here isn't representative of the emotion itself, but a recognition or awareness of the archetypal undercurrents triggering such emotional responses. He would encourage the dreamer not to categorize such experience as 'negative' or 'positive', but to honour the emotional depth and layers the symbol of crying presents, realizing it’s an essential aspect of their psychological landscape.
Classical Interpretation:
From a classical interpretation, crying is often seen as a release of emotions or sorrow. It can represent a purging of feelings, or the need for the dreamer to cleanse himself or herself of burdens, regrets, and guilt. This could serve as a wake-up call for the dreamer to address these feelings in their waking life.
Ancient Greek Interpretation:
In Greek dream interpretation, crying symbolizes an emotional release, seen as a form of catharsis. Releasing pent-up grief in the form of tears is considered a healthy expression of sorrow and suffering. Greeks associated crying with the healing process, allowing for emotional turmoil to surface and ultimately leading to acceptance and progress.
Morphology:
Crying, as a symbol, is known to shift its form in various dream contexts, intensifying or lessening its emotional charge based on the dreamer's personal experiences. Its morphological variations may present themselves as silent tears, violent sobbing, or intermittent weeping, each carrying a unique emotional intonation for the dreamer.
Similar Symbols
- weeping willow, rain, ocean, river, foggy window, broken heart
Opposite Symbols
- laughter, celebration, sunrise, rainbow, uncontrollable smile
Curious what your dreams mean? Explore other Dream Symbols