Understanding Dream Interpretations
Famed psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud described dreams as the “royal road” to the unconscious and suggested that by studying the obvious content of dreams, we could bring to light the hidden and unconscious desires that lead to neurosis.2
Analyzing dream symbols and ascribing meaning to them has become a source of both entertainment and self-reflection in popular culture. Do dreams mean anything? Can you learn your unconscious wishes and desires by interpreting your dreams?
Dreams are the time in our life when we’re creating new neural connections and processing the experiences we’ve had in our waking life.
What your dreams tell you and whether they reveal your true feelings depends on various factors. While some modern theories of dreams suggest that the answer is no—that dreams may have a more biological component3 or even be due to sleep position4—this hasn’t stopped interpreters and analysts from attempting to identify what common dream themes and symbols mean.
7 Most Common Dreams
Researchers have found that the seven most common dreams involve being attacked or chased, being late, loved ones dying, falling, flying, school, and sex
.5
Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common dreams and what dream interpretation books have to say about them.