Dreams are a window into the subconscious mind. Each dream can carry deeper meaning that points to different parts of your waking life — and dream interpretation is how we read that meaning.

Different cultures and traditions have read dreams in different ways. Some symbols are nearly universal (water for emotion, for example), while others depend on personal context and experience.

How to interpret a dream

Write the dream down — Capture the dream right after you wake up — small details fade fast and writing them down helps you remember the texture of the dream.
Look up the symbols — Find the meaning of the symbols you saw. Each symbol can speak to a different part of your life.
Layer in your personal context — Beyond the general meaning of a symbol, factor in your own experiences and feelings — they shape what the symbol means for you.
Pay attention to the emotion — How you felt in the dream matters. The emotion often points to the truest meaning of the dream.