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.

The symbolic figures that appear in dreams are related to figures that exist in an individuals waking life. Each major archetype is assigned a specific meaning. There are seven archetypes, which are explained here.

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.

Next there is The Shadow, a symbol of your own worst side. You attempt to suppress this while awake. This figure may show up in your dreams as a a thief or murderer. In the morning if you recall the dream you know that The Shadow made you feel angry in some way.

According to Jung the woman has masculine aspects and the man a feminine side. He named this Anima-Animus. In dreams the man may play a female role, such as a caregiver. The woman, on the other hand, may take on a masculine one. While a female shows aggression this way, a male may step into a more emotional, thus feminine, role.

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 Divine Child is the fourth archetype. A baby or young child represents this pure part of your personality when you dream. You are innocent and still reaching for your full potential and a place in the world.

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 was someone who nurtured you and would appear as your own mother or grandmother. This archetype would provide reassurance. He theorized that a mother might become jealous when her child turned away from her as he matured. He theorized that this negativity would appear as dominance or death.

The seventh and last is The Trickster. He shows up to highlight some mistake that embarrassed you during the day. His mocking attitude stresses your weakness and vulnerability.

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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