Symbolic representation of mother in a dream, security and care

Dream Meaning:Mother

The mother is a universal symbol for security, for care, and for the maternal archetype that dwells within us. It connects the feeling of safety with the longing for love. Freud interpreted it as the first object of love, Jung as the Great Mother, spiritual traditions as divine care.

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Dream Interpretation by Freud

Freud interpreted the mother as the first object of love and desire (Freud, 1900). The mother is the source of all security.

The mother in dreams shows, according to Freud, the longing for lost security. Conflicts with the mother reflect inner conflicts.

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Freud, S. (1900). The Interpretation of Dreams. Franz Deuticke, Vienna.

Dream Interpretation by Jung

Jung understood the mother as the Great Mother, as the archetype of the caring (Jung, 1964). The mother is the birther and the nourisher.

Whoever sees the mother in a dream receives a message from the caring. Jung saw the invitation to integrate one's own maternal side.

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Jung, C. G. (1964). Man and His Symbols. Doubleday, New York.

Spiritual Interpretation

In spiritual traditions, the mother is considered divine care, the force that nourishes and protects all. She is the mother of the universe.

Dreams with the mother are read as an invitation to let oneself be carried by divine care.

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Bulkeley, K. (2016). Big Dreams. Oxford University Press. Fromm, E. (1951). The Forgotten Language. Rinehart & Company, New York.

Cognitive Continuity

According to Domhoff, the mother in dreams reflects relationships and security (Domhoff, 2003). It appears when the dreamer seeks safety.

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Domhoff, G.W. (2003). The Scientific Study of Dreams. APA. Domhoff, G.W. (2018). The Emergence of Dreaming. Oxford University Press.

Neurobiology & Emotion

According to Walker, REM sleep activates emotional memories and attachment processing (Walker, 2017). Mother dreams arise when the brain links security with positive emotions.

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Walker, M. (2017). Why We Sleep. Scribner. Walker, M.P. & van der Helm, E. (2009). Overnight therapy? The role of sleep in emotional brain processing. Psychological Bulletin, 135(5), 731-748.