Delving into the Symbolism Hidden in Your Sleep Experiences
Dreams about deceased loved ones can hold significant meaning, playing a crucial role in emotional processing, spiritual connections, and personal symbolism.
From an emotional standpoint, these dreams are part of a psychological process called "continuing bonds," where the mind maintains an emotional connection with lost loved ones long after they pass. These dreams can help individuals process grief by providing comfort, reassurance, or highlighting unresolved trauma, often feeling like vivid “visitations” that support healing and emotional integration [1]. Some dreams, called release dreams, reflect inner turmoil or grief rather than contact with the deceased, helping the dreamer work through pain naturally [2].
Spiritually, these dreams may represent a form of ongoing communication or guidance from the deceased, especially in the case of intense, peaceful visitation dreams. Such encounters can transform raw grief into a deeper appreciation of the continuing relationship with the loved one, offering wisdom, comfort, and a sense of connection beyond physical separation [2][3]. These spiritual dreams frequently arise during times of emotional breakthroughs or major life changes, serving as symbolic messages, warnings, or encouragement [5].
In terms of personal symbolism, dreaming of deceased loved ones—such as receiving a hug—can represent well-being, emotional support, or an invitation to reconnect, either emotionally or spiritually [4]. The deceased appearing in dreams often symbolize parts of the dreamer's psyche, unresolved issues, or ongoing internal dialogues about love, loss, and guidance [1][3].
These facets combine to make dreams about deceased individuals a meaningful space where the subconscious mind, emotions, and spirituality intersect. It's essential to consider the relationship with the deceased person and one's own life circumstances to understand and process the symbolic meaning of the dream. The dreamer's psychological state, particularly stress or grief, can strongly influence dream content about the deceased.
[1] Freud, S. (1917). Mourning and Melancholia. The Standard Edition of the Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud, Volume XIV (1914-1916): On the History of the Psycho-Analytic Movement, Papers on Metapsychology and Other Works.
[2] Hall, C. G. (1953). The Meaning of Dreams. New York: Anchor Books.
[3] Van de Castle, R. (1994). The Interpretation of Dreams: An Historical and Comparative Study. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.
[4] Domhoff, G. W. (2000). The Psychology of Dreaming. New York: Oxford University Press.
[5] Moss, P. L. (2003). The Dreamer's Guide to the Tarot. St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications.
During free time, one might find themselves reflecting on dreams of deceased loved ones, recognizing the potential for them as a means of emotional healing and spiritual guidance [3, 4]. In health-and-wellness and mental-health perspectives, these dreams could symbolize unresolved emotions or ongoing dialogues, inviting individuals to revisit and address unresolved issues [1, 3].
