See also: Greed.
The wolf often symbolizes the shadow of male sexuality. Be glad to have had such a strong dream. You are powerful; you do not need to kill the wolf, hut you can dance with him.
In Steppenwolfy by Herman Hesse, the wolf becomes a symbol for the lonely seeker (and sufferer). Here it is not so much a reference to the meanness of the wolf, but rather the lonely search for the meaning of life.
In Christianity, the wolf is compared to the false prophet and heretic.
According to Jung, the wolf is wilder than the Lion and the Dog. Between 1910 and 1914, Sigmund Freud treated a patient who later would become famous as the “Wolfman.” As a small child this patient suffered from terrifying dreams about wolves, which was the reason why Freud gave him this name.
The earliest memories this man had about his nightmares involved six or seven White wolves that were sitting in a hazelnut tree in front of his window, and he was sure they had come to devour him. Freud here makes reference to two fairy tales: “Little Red Riding Hood” and “The Wolf and the Seven Little Goats.” In addition, Freud sees the wolf as a father substitute. As a young boy, the patient had observed his parents having intercourse from behind, and according to Freud, the patient transferred his repressed desire for sexual gratification by his father to a fear of wolves.
The female wolf symbolizes the nurturing power of nature, like Romulus and Remus, who were both nursed by a wolf. This is also the essence of the fairy tale “Little Red Riding Hood,” where the wolf is not only devouring Grandmother but he is Grandmother—the great mother symbol of wild nature. [1]
This next example from Oliver, a boy of six, illustrates how such fears can be met with a little courage.
It is a dream which recurred several times, so his descnption is of a series of dreams: ‘1 am in my bed in my own room and I hear what I know to be a wolf wearing the son of clogs worn in Lancashire. He (the wolf) gets to a certain point, there is a bang, and I wake terrified. My mother’s reassurances do not help. Each night he gets a bit nearer before my panicky awakening.
The night comes when I know he will reach me. Sure enough he arrives, and the bedroom door—in my dream—is flung wide open with a tremendous bang. There is no one there. I never dreamt it again.’ Idioms: wolf at the door, wolf in sheep’s clothing; cry wolf, throw to the wolves. [2]
It is nearly always a consequence of repressed instinct, usually sexual.
See also: Introduction, page43.
(2) In a woman’s dream it may symbolize male sexuality seen as threatening. Perhaps the dreamer needs to come to terms with her own sexuality. (This is probably the point of the original Red Riding Hood story; see Animal(s), section (6).)
(3) It may symbolize your unconscious, seen as something frightening.
See also: Animal(s)) It is just possible that the Christian symbolism of wolf as a devil, lamb(s) as Christian(s.) has found its way into your dream. In that case the dream may express a fear of losing your innocence (moral or sexual) or your sense of meaning and purpose in life, your belief system or convictions. [3]
The fairy tale of Little Red Riding Hood represents the onset of sexual maturity in young women, and the wolf represents the seductive “evil” male who tries to eliminate the protection of the wise old woman, Grandma.
The honorable “good” male figure of the woodcutter values the feminine principle by protecting Red with his strength.
The Native American values the wolf as a serene, majestic teacher, guide, and source of sacred wisdom. Some tribes relate the feminine lunar aspect of life to the wolf, while other tribal groups consider the wolf a strong warrior symbol for the male. Unless other dream elements point to a “big bad wolf ” interpretation, this dream symbol may well represent “good medicine.” [4]
The wolf indicates your solitary nature. It may also symbolize aggression, hostility, and a reflection of a situation or force in your waking life that you are powerless against.
A white wolf represents victory and valor and indicates your ability to see the light at the end of the tunnel no matter how dire the situation.
To see yourself killing a wolf in your dreams is an indication that you have been betrayed and your secrets have been revealed. [5]
Tilings that you fear about yourself, a situation, or others, and have been unwilling to face directly.
Some type of obscured threat (e.g., the “wolf in sheep’s clothing”). In Freudian analysis, this threat is construed as sexual intimacy.
The loss of innocence and naive outlooks.
In fables, the emblem of evil craftiness that threatens to devour all goodness.
AJchemically, a symbol of duality; the light and dark aspects of all things.
Howling at the moon: Discovering and announcing a secret alliance or treacherous plan. Alternatively, acknowledging the lunar / feminine aspect of self. [6]
If a pack of wolves threatens or attacks you, it is an indication that your repressed instincts and emotions are trying to come to light.
In the story Little Red Riding Hood, the wolf represents the cruelest part of man and the fear of sexual contact. In olden days, this story was told by mothers to their daughters to warn them of the danger of premarital sex. [7]
The wolf’s strong association with the moon also cements the relationship between the wolf as a symbol and the moon’s connection to cycles, changeability, and all things that relate to the movement of the unconscious mind. When the wolf appears in a dream, you are being guided by very strong forces that know their way around the darker recesses of the psyche. [8]
A wolf attacking: a well-known person will make a lot of trouble.
Depth Psychology: The wolf indicates that the dreamer is fighting his sexual urges. This animal is primarily guided by instincts, cravings, and aggression (See also: Predator), and the human, emotional side of you should be safe from it (see .Animals). Learn to control these instinctive urges. This is an important dream.
See also: Aggression. [9]
The appearance of a wolf in a dream may be to offer its keen senses to protect one’s individual boundari ;s.
A wolf may offer some self-defense to the dreamer whose psychic boundaries are too fuzzy.
The wolf may also speak to your untamed nature. On the other hand, it may point to someone who is like the wolf in “Little Red Riding Hood,” ready to deceive and devour a woman who trusts too much. [12]
Tenacity.
Being proactive.
Loyalty or steadfastness.
Family, connection, or mutual support.
Wildness or freedom.
Spirit, essence, or spirituality.
Dreaming of this animal can represent too much or not enough of one of those qualities, or someone or something you associate with the quality or animal.
Consider also the animal’s actions, context, and your feelings about it.
If you dream of taming a wolf, or being a wolf yourself, good physical health and new adventures are in your future.
If you are chased by a wolf, you may be uncomfortable around a male in your life, or it may be your own, highly feminine side that you are not at ease with.
To dream of hearing a wolf howling, symbolizes feelings of loneliness or solitude. [14]
To kill one, denotes that you will defeat sly enemies who seek to overshadow you with disgrace.
To hear the howl of a wolf, discovers to you a secret alliance to defeat you in honest competition. [16]
The she-wolf can be taken to represent the hussy, the unrestrained feminine, but also the carer for orphans and rejected young. [17]
2. The need for others, so one becomes part of a group.
3. Hated by some.
4. Someone who is devious.
5. Someone who is romantically very active. [20]
It is a sign that someone is trying to jeopardize your position. [22]
(To kill) success; (To pursue) dangers overcome; (Pursued by) danger. [23]
If one sees a wolf entering his house in a dream, it means that a thief will burglarize his house and that he will chase and capture him.
If one sees himself raising a wolfs cub in a dream, it means that he will raise an abandoned child of a thief who upon growing up will bring that family much pain, suffering, divisiveness and loss of property. Seeing a wolf in a dream also could represent false allegations one may fabricate to assault an innocent person. Ifone sees a wolfturning into a steer in the dream, it means that a boy who is used to stealing will repent for his sin, turn to honesty, trustworthiness and grow to become a good and a generous person. Seeing a wolf in a dream also means receiving praises from one’s superior at work, or it could represent profits from one’s job.
If a wolf chases someone in a dream, it means that the person will see happiness, or it could mean his martyrdom.
A wolf in a dream also represents the days of the year, or it could mean the four seasons.
If one turns into a gentle lamblike wolf in a dream, it means that he is a thief who will repent for his sin. Ifone turns into a wolf in a dream, it means that he will earn personal joy and happiness. Wolfs milk in a dream represents fear, stress, or forfeiture of a project.
A wolf in a dream also represents a tyrant, a weak thief, or a liar.
A clash with a wolf in a dream means a clash with a rival.
If a wolf and a dog make a pact of friendship in a dream, it means that one will witness hypocrisy and deceit. [30]
being attacked by a: secret enemies seek your destruction.
chased by a: friends save you from scandal.
frightened by a: are so anxious that you wil be robbed by thieves, that you wil be.
catching a: abundance of money.
dead, a: are confronted with insurmountable obstacles.
head of a: honor and an obscure success are imminent.
killing a: wil have dealings with smart and treacherous enemies.
pack of, following you: your game is wel played with your sharp scheming.
running, a: the majestic guide to the source of sacred wisdom.
several: employees are abusing your trust.
trained, a: wil be kissed often; your love is badly placed.
two, playing together: have false friends who wait for you to let down your guard.
with small cubs: disappointment and an end to love. [31]