Dream Symbol Comparison
How do these two dream symbols differ in meaning, psychology, and cultural interpretation?
Category: Nightmares & Fears
Frequency: Common
Cultural Views: 0
Category: Flying & Falling
Frequency: Very Common
Cultural Views: 0
Darkness
Unknown, fear, unconscious
Falling
Loss of control, anxiety, letting go
Darkness
Darkness in dreams represents the unknown, the unconscious mind, and fear of what you cannot see. Complete darkness suggests being 'in the dark' about something important. Fear of the dark reflects fear of the unconscious and its contents. However, darkness can also be a womb-like, protective state — a necessary emptiness before new creation. The response to darkness (fear vs. acceptance) is diagnostically important.
Falling
Falling dreams are nearly universal and typically reflect feelings of anxiety, loss of control, or insecurity. They often occur during times of stress, major life changes, or when feeling overwhelmed. Contrary to the myth, you can 'hit the ground' in a falling dream without dying — it often simply means the dream continues in a new form. Some researchers suggest falling dreams may also be related to the hypnic jerk that occurs during sleep onset.
Darkness
Falling
Darkness
Represents the vast unconscious mind and our fundamental relationship with the unknown
Falling
The most common anxiety dream; may reflect real-life situations where you feel unsupported