Whether the person portrayed is a family member, friend, stranger, or someone famous, each carries a unique message in your dream.
A Dream Character as a Mirror: You See Only Yourself
The most common purpose of a dream person is to mirror your own behavior and traits. Many times, a person in your dream represents aspects of yourself.
Dream Example: My Sister Behaved Badly
A woman dreamed of her sister having a temper tantrum. In real life, her sister was known for her explosive outbursts. However, the dreamer realized that the dream was a reflection of her own recent actions, as she had lost her temper with a co-worker. The dream was not about her sister, but about herself and how she had behaved. Most people in dreams signify parts of yourself.
To See Whether a Person in a Dream is a Mirror of You: Play the “Two Plus Two” Game
A Dream Person as a Mirror of You
“Projection” is a psychological term that describes how easy it is to see in others what you may hide about yourself. In dreams, you might notice undesirable behaviors in others that are actually reflections of your own traits.
The "Two Plus Two" Game
- Select a dream person.
- Choose a prominent character from a recent dream, particularly someone who confused or strongly affected you.
- List two positive traits and two negative traits about this person, even if they are strangers or famous figures.
- Consider if the traits of the dream person reflect you.
- Examine whether the same traits exist in yourself, even if only in a limited situation or time.
- What if the person is not a mirror?
- If the traits don’t match yours, the dream person may represent something or someone else. Explore other interpretations.
Determine When a Dream Character is Not a Mirror
Sometimes a dream person mirrors your traits, but there are exceptions. Here are alternative interpretations:
Alternative 1: Characters Acting Out a Relationship Dynamic
People in dreams can represent relationships. The behavior of characters, along with the story line, can reveal hidden motives, dynamics, or advice on handling real-life relationships.
Alternative 2: A Dream Character Portrays an Actual Person
Occasionally, a dream truly is about someone else. You might recognize the person in the dream as acting and looking like themselves. In such cases, the dream may give insights into that person's life or your relationship with them.
Alternative 3: A Dream Character Offers Direct Guidance
Sometimes, dream characters provide clear, straightforward information. For example, a dream family member might show you where to find a lost object, or a mechanic in the dream might suggest a part that needs fixing in your car. These dreams do not require deeper interpretation.
See also: Dreams, Projection, Relationships
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