Dreaming Lens: Were you carrying a purse or a briefcase? Had you lost one? Was the dream focused on the carrying case or was it secondary? What was inside the purse or briefcase? Were you aware of its contents? Did the contents play a prime role in the dream?
Personal Focus: The key to this symbol is in what is carried inside of it. Whether it’s a pocketbook, briefcase or shoulder bag, the personal carrying case has become a fixture of necessity in our fast-paced world. They provide mobile access to important items, which may be needed for when you are out in the world, such as your wallet, driver’s license, credit cards, and all the things that represent your identity. Hence, there is a strong association for this image with what might be referred to as tools for life on a day-to-day basis.
A pocketbook, handbag, or purse is generally carried by women and often contains grooming products. This connects it symbolically to the feminine principle. The items found in a purse will likely be associated with self-care and nurturing. Whether being carried by a male or female, a briefcase is connected to the masculine principle by virtue of its association with work and career.
The interpretation of this as a symbol will depend largely on the Dreaming Lens relationship between the dreamer and the object as it appears in the dream. A solid connection to a purse or briefcase in a dream indicates effective access to the tools carried within. Losing, searching for, or being robbed of such an item points to difficulties in this area. One that is too heavy may indicate burdens with being overly cautious, just as one that is empty reveals issues of lack or being ill-prepared.
The function of the bag in question will also offer clues to the appropriate interpretation. This is most true in the world of women’s purses, as they come in a variety of styles that connect directly with the use intended for it. A dress clutch is not the same thing as a leather handbag. The first indicates having the bare essentials associated with looking good, while the later implies a more grounded ability to contain what might be necessary in any situation. The specific type of carrying case will indicate what area of your life is being highlighted by the dream.
Your waking life associations to a purse or briefcase are important. If you routinely carry some sort of bag, then your ongoing relationship with this object will feature highly in your interpretation. The more attached you are to your purse or briefcase, the higher the stakes of the symbolic meaning in a dream, especially in dreams that feature loss or separation. The items you generally carry with you each day should also be considered. [1]