Discover the meanings behind dreaming of head, face, and other body parts, and how they reflect intellect, emotions, and self-image
Head
Represents thoughts, opinions, intellect, decisions, intentions, and self-image. This is understandable from the many idioms about the head and face, such as "lose one's head" or "lose face." Dreaming of a headless figure could symbolize losing control or facing an identity crisis.
Face
Represents self-image and concerns about how others perceive you. It also relates to the expression or concealment of inner feelings and attitudes. Idioms: "above one's head," "over one's head," "enter one's head," "get something into one's head," "lose face," "face the facts," "face the music," "poker face," "long face," and "blue in the face."
Ears
Represents receiving subtle information or rumors. Idioms: "an ear for," "all ears," "reach one's ears," "gain the ear of," "ears burning," "long ears," "lend an ear," "hearing things."
Eyes
Represents how we see the world and ourselves. Dreams involving eyes often relate to insight and awareness. Lack of eye contact may suggest avoidance of intimacy. Closed eyes can signify introversion or unwillingness to face a situation. Dreams of blindness or losing sight in one eye might represent being unaware of something significant in your life. Idioms: "I see," "can't you see," "turn a blind eye," "eye opener," "evil eye," "sheep eyes."
Mouth
Represents the area of pleasure and hunger, including sexual pleasure. Because we speak with our mouth, it also symbolizes communication and the expression of feelings. Dreams of the mouth being closed or restricted may indicate regret for something said. Idioms: "all mouth," "big mouth," "nasty taste in the mouth," "mouth-watering."
Nose
Represents curiosity, intuition, and sometimes the penis in dreams. Idioms: "smell a rat," "nose for trouble," "nose out of joint," "rub one's nose in it," "up one's nose."
Teeth
Teeth often represent maturity and the process of aging. Dreaming of losing teeth may reflect fears of aging, loss of attractiveness, or concerns about independence and responsibility. False teeth can indicate lies or broken promises. Idioms: "get one's teeth into," "grit one's teeth," "show one's teeth."
Tongue
Represents speech and expression of deep feelings, often those unknown to oneself. The tongue may also symbolize the penis in some contexts. Idioms: "sharp tongue," "hold one's tongue," "forked tongue."
Dream Examples
Eyes
Example: "I saw a young soldier with a gun, but as our eyes met, we were attracted to each other, and he put his arm around me." (Pauline B.) This dream reflects the importance of eyes in relationships, as eye contact symbolizes connection.
Example: "A black bird pecked at the baby's eye, and the eye was gone completely." (Heather C.) This dream represents damage to self-identity, reflecting a deep emotional wound.
Teeth
Example: "I felt a tooth was loose, and I pushed it with my tongue. Then I pulled it out, followed by more teeth. Running to the bathroom, I looked in the mirror, horrified as all my teeth came out." (Eve) Eve's dream reflects fear of aging, loss of youth, and the challenges of independence and responsibility.
Example: A Palestinian woman dreamt of losing three teeth. The next day, she learned her son had been shot in the head three times. This dream connects the loss of teeth with fear and anxiety about loved ones.
Dream Idioms Related to Body Parts
- Head: "lose one's head," "above one's head," "swollen head."
- Face: "face the music," "long face," "flat on one's face."
- Ears: "all ears," "gain the ear of," "ears burning."
- Eyes: "turn a blind eye," "eye opener," "evil eye."
- Mouth: "big mouth," "mouthwatering," "hold your tongue."
- Nose: "smell a rat," "nose for trouble," "rub one's nose in it."
- Teeth: "show one's teeth," "grit one's teeth," "teething troubles."
- Tongue: "sharp tongue," "tongue in cheek," "forked tongue."
The Symbolism of the Head in Dreams
In dream interpretation, the head can symbolize leadership, intelligence, authority, and knowledge. It reflects a person's capital, ambitions, and often represents their position in life. Whether the head is exaggerated, changed, or manipulated in some way, it holds strong significance regarding the individual's identity and life circumstances.
Leadership and Status
(Balance, Beauty, Capital, Craft, Death, Father, Knowledge, Life, Measuring cup, Oven, Parents, Teacher, Tent)
In a dream, the head represents leadership, presidency, or one’s capital. If the head appears larger than usual, it symbolizes rising rank, respect, and honor, often connected to a father figure. A smaller head suggests the opposite—loss of rank, honor, or even intelligence.
If an intelligent person sees his head smaller in a dream, it indicates a loss of knowledge or position, possibly even ignorance. Seeing oneself with multiple heads (two or three) in a dream is a sign of victory, prosperity, and achieving one’s goals.
Personal Reflection and Self-Discipline
Seeing oneself without a head covering in a dream indicates disobedience or disregard for authority figures. A head hanging low signifies confession, guilt, and perhaps living a life of humiliation in an attempt to please others. A head that is bent backward symbolizes delays in achieving goals or stalled travel plans.
If one sees his head severed without actual beheading, it suggests the possibility of impending death, though it could also symbolize freedom from current circumstances.
Transformation of the Head
The transformation of the head in dreams can carry various meanings:
- A lion’s head means leadership and prosperity.
- A sheep’s head represents fairness and justice.
- A donkey’s head indicates a return to ignorance.
- A dog’s, donkey’s, or horse’s head signals toil and hardship.
- A bird’s head symbolizes frequent travel.
- An elephant’s, wolf’s, or tiger’s head signifies ambition beyond one's means, though some benefit may be gained.
Injury and Pain
If one’s head is struck with a stone in a dream, it reflects neglect of spiritual duties such as night prayers. Experiencing pain in the head or neck suggests illness or physical affliction.
Anointing and Cleansing
Anointing the head with fragrances or oils represents good deeds and piety. Eating someone’s head raw in a dream points to backbiting, while eating it cooked may indicate theft, particularly from someone familiar to the dreamer. Holding one’s head between their hands signifies a need to reassess financial matters or debts.
Blood and Leadership
Seeing someone’s head on a tray drenched in blood symbolizes a leader who is either deceitful or being deceived. Blood in a dream represents lies or falsehoods.
Turban and Crowns
A turban in a dream represents a crown or even a flying ship, while the head symbolizes knowledge, wisdom, and respect. Losing one's head can indicate carelessness, neglect, or an inability to manage one’s responsibilities.
Severing the Head
Cutting off one’s own head may suggest feelings of betrayal, especially towards one’s family or teachers. It can also symbolize self-destructive tendencies, such as severing important connections.
Wealth and Profits
Seeing cattle heads gathered together represents profits and wealth. If a money changer dreams of losing his head, it suggests financial ruin or bankruptcy.
See Also: Body
[2]The significance of a dream featuring the head, will also depend on the other details of the dream. But as a general guide, here are some interpretations: A disembodied head predicts a new situation in which you will have to stay calm and “use your head.” A small, narrow, or pointed head indicates more work and less profit than expected.
A very large, wide, or round head means you will find easy success on a project.
A swollen head is a warning against overconfidence.
To dream of yourself (or another person) having more than one head foretells that you will have a sudden rise in social status.
To see yourself (or anyone else) with the head of an animal is a warning not to indulge too much in material or sensual pleasures. Be more modest, and remember that an ounce of restraint can frequently prevent a pound of regret! If you dream of having part of your head missing, this is positive, because it means your achievements will be greater than you expect.
Dreaming of an accident or blow to the head suggests tension and overwork - try to take it easy for a while.
If you dream of having your head chopped off, you will be successful in life.
If you dream of someone else being beheaded, you will still be successful, but only after discouraging delays.
[3]Vision: Seeing a head in a dream is a warning: be more attentive and alert. Seeing a torso without a head: you have run headlong into a situation from which you need to extract yourself in a hurry.
If the head on your body belongs to someone else: whether you like it or not, others will decide for you what to do next.
If the head on your body faces the back: thoughdess actions and wrong decisions have created severe problems for you!
Depth Psychology: The head indicates that your good sense is controlling the rest of your body. Smashing your head in a dream means many problems and conflicts with no resolution in sight. Did you “lose your head”? Why, to whom, and in what circumstances? Are you running around like “a chicken with its head cut off? Dreams about the head may also be a sign of an actual illness in that area. Decapitating another person: you are now ready to use your head to solve your problems. One- eyed head: dreaming about eyes might be a hint that you are too occupied with yourself.
If the image has the right eye missing, you might try to gain more insight in emotional areas. Prominent teeth: you are looking for material tilings or “biting” into them.
[4]The head embodies the soul and intelligence.
It is your conscious.
If your head is separated from the body and the feeling is nice, the image indicates changes in your personal situation, resulting in an increase of creative power. When the feeling that it produces is unpleasant the dream can manifest split personality. The Jungian psychoanalysis maps the head with the highest part of the subject; instead, the Freudian one assimilates it to the penis and recognizes in the beheading an analogy with castration.
If in your dream you have an oversized head it is a sign that you will receive good news. Conversely, if it is smaller and lighter it indicates servility and dishonor. To have someone else’s head foresees a change of mind; and to have it turned backward, a change of house.
Headache To suffer a headache in dreams announces mild but recurring sorrows.
Healing Usually, they are positive dreams. They indicate that, after passing hardship, things are back to normal. The person who is healing you will have a special significance, because with her help she demonstrates her unconditional support.
A feeling of comfort will soon pervade the dreamer’s life.
[5]To see a person’s head in your dream, and it is well-shaped and prominent, you will meet persons of power and vast influence who will lend you aid in enterprises of importance.
If you dream of your own head, you are threatened with nervous or brain trouble.
To see a head severed from its trunk, and bloody, you will meet sickening disappointments, and the overthrow of your dearest hopes and anticipations.
To see yourself with two or more heads, foretells phenomenal and rapid rise in life, but the probabilities are that the rise will not be stable.
To dream that your head aches, denotes that you will be oppressed with worry.
To dream of a swollen head, you will have more good than bad in your life.
To dream of a child’s head, there will be much pleasure ill store for you and signal financial success.
To dream of the head of a beast, denotes that the nature of your desires will run on a low plane, and only material pleasures will concern you.
To wash your head, you will be sought after by prominent people for your judgment and good counsel.
[6](1) A head may be a symbol of intellect: rational as distinct from intuitive thought.
(2) It may symbolize the conscious ego as distinct from the unconscious (which might be represented by the abdomen or solar plexus).
(3) It may be a symbol of masculinity.
(4) A monstrous, horrifying head probably represents negative - because repressed - drives or processes in your unconscious. Try to follow Perseus’ example. The Gorgons’ eyes turned to stone anyone they looked at; but when Perseus succeeded in cutting off Medusa’s head, the winged horse Pegasus sprang from her body. This may be seen as symbolizing the psychic or spiritual development that results from facing up to whatever is fearsome in one’s unconscious.
(5) A two-headed creature may symbolize either duality, antagonistic opposites in your psyche or the (needed) union, or bringing together, of opposing psychic qualities / functions / forces - for example, masculine and feminine; conscious and unconscious.
See Also: Beheading.
[7]1. Jesus Christ;
2. Authority;
3. Leadership;
4. Father;
5. Blessed;
6. Foundation;
7. Disapproval or disgust (shaking of the head).
8. Mind; Exod. 18:25; (3-4) Exod. 6:14; Num. 1:4;
• Hitting Head
- speaks of Mocking Christ or leadership; (9) mind; Exod. 18:25; (3-4) Exod. 6:14; Num. 1:4;
• Head Anointed
- Being set apart; well-being and joy.
• Head Covered
- A grieving person; to be in submission.
• Head Covered with dust
- To be appalled or dismayed.
• Head Covered with the hand
- Deep regret and sorrow.
• Head Uncovered
- Sin nature revealed.
• Head Swaying
- To suffer disdain Sam. 13:19; 15:30; Jos. 7:6; Ps. 23:5; 27:6; 83:2; 140:7; Luke 21:28.
[8]The head is where the brain is and therefore is the symbolic home to thoughts and thinking.
A dream that features a head may connect to the thoughts and ideas of the person whose head it is.
A dream that features the head in a significant way could be pointing out that you are “too much in your head” and would benefit from giving a rest to overthinking things.
The head also houses the face, which relates to your persona and how you present yourself to the world. Such a dream image may be expressing ideas about how you are being perceived. To “rip someone’s head off” is an expression that relates to great anger, so a disembodied head in a dream may be the result of unexpressed rage.
[9]To see a head in your dream signifies wisdom, intellect and logic; it may also represent your accomplishments. That the head stands for the themes of decision making, intellect and thought is fairly obvious, given the huge number of idioms for head and face; if we think of an idiom such as ‘to lose one’s head’ or ‘to lose face’, it is fairly clear what dreams of headless or faceless bodies might mean. Dreams may also use the image of a head to show that you are in two minds about something, or in the process of changing your mind. For example, if you change your head in your dream, this indicates a change of attitude, being uncertain about something, or even being two-faced.
[10]Dreams of a head represent your thoughts, opinions, critical functions, higher wisdom, awareness, -perception, and ability to think, reason, be logical, and make sense out of situations.
If your head is down, then this represents shame, embarrassment, and inferiority.
If your head is held high, then you are feeling confident and proud.
If your head is disconnected from the body, then this reflects a lack of integration between your thoughts and feelings.
If something is over your head, then it may feel too lofty or difficult to understand.
If your head is bigger than normal, then you are feeling cocky, over confident, and having an overblown ego.
See Also: Chakra-Crown.
[11]Consciousness, a person s wealth. Mind and reason.
The head almost always wants to rule. Ask yourself if you are repressing your intellect or using it at the expense of other functions—the emotions, for example. Or are you trying to go “headfirst through the wall” Is it wise to Lose your head, or is it best to prevent that from happening.
Ancient Indian dream interpretation speaks about the need to be a ruler. According to Freud, the head is a symbol of masculinity. According to Jung, it is the archetypal symbol of self.
ASTROLOGY: The head is ruled by Aries.
[12]The mind or the head is the maestro that controls one’s thoughts, feelings, and behavior.
To dream about your head refers to your notion that human beings are the masters of the universe. This can include your perception about the world, yourself, your accomplishments, dreams and identity.
If you dream that someone is trying to rip off your head, it signifies that you’re not thinking straight or seeing things as they really are. This may be due to lack of knowledge or denial. Face your fears because avoidance is only a pain killer, and the pain will eventually be back.
[13]The head is considered to be the principle part of the body. Because it is the seat of the life force, it denotes power and wisdom.
Dreaming of the head suggests that we should look very carefully at the way we deal with both intelligence and folly.
To dream of the head being bowed suggests supplication. When the head is covered we may be covering up our own intelligence or acknowledging somebody else’s superiority.
A blow to the head in a dream can indicate that we should reconsider our actions in a particular situation.
[14]The head represents the observer’s leader or patron. This could well be his father, brother, employer, chief, husband, king etc. Thus, any defect in the head points to a similar defect in the leader or patron. Sometimes, the head represents a persons’ capital.
[15]1. The conscious mind, the intellect.
2. Fortunes and fortunate love relationships are in the offing.
3. Slang for oral sex.
4. A need for control, calm in difficult or desperate circumstances (as in “to keep one’s head”).
[16]To dream of something being on your head can be symbolic of God’s blessing or a curse, Prov. 10:6.
The head is also symbolic of a wise and honorable person, Isa. 9:15.
A faceless head can symbolize the flesh and humanity
[17]The head symbolizes the source of all wisdom. Being made the “head” of an organization, or being sent to the “head of the class” denotes that one has accomplished much.
[18]a vision of a head is indicative of 12 sides: leader, big group & father, mother, Imam, prince, scholar, wealth, child, boy, young girl, woman.
[19]Pains in your Head, or dreams about accidents are warnings of difficulties ahead of you. Persevere, but be prudent, and do not take any risks.
[20]You are intellectualizing too much. Used humorously, means get out of your head.
[21]Refers to one’s mental state and/or head authority
[22]See Also: body parts metaphors.
[23]See Also: Body
[24]To dream you have a great head or a head bigger than ordinary, and very highly raised, that signifies dignity, esteem. If a sick person dreams thus, it prognosticates both the headache and violent fever. If one dreams his head is cut off by robbers and murderers, that signifies loss of children, relations, estate, or wife; and to the wife so dreaming, the loss of her husband. To dream that one cuts off another's head, signifies assurance of effecting business, or revenge upon your enemies. To dream you cut off the head of a pullet, or a green goose, signifies joy and recreation. To dream one hath the head of a lion or yolf, or some other cruel beast, it is a good sign to the dreamer. To dream one hath the head of a dog, horse or ass, or such four-footed beast, is servitude, pain and misery to the dreamer. To dream one hath a bird's head, argues, one shall not stay long in his country. If Öne dreams that he is careful to comb and trim his head, it is a sign he shall dispose well of his business. To dream vou wash your head, signifies deliverance from danger.
[25]lucky numbers: 04-05-34-37-40-55
ache: keep your business plans to yourself or they wil cause violent fever.
migraine, having a: your pet project wil succeed, if you keep your own counsel.
bald, being: have disregarded virtuous teaching and are envious of another’s hair.
back of the, on the: your ideas are barred to the public.
going: society’s esteem increases for an attraction emanating from an internal source.
left side of the, on the: death of a relative who squandered his life on il icit pleasures.
right side: death of a friend who committed indiscretions and did not return to favor.
woman going: after 50, who you are cannot be hidden from your face.
cut off, having your: trust your intuition or you wil create new enemies.
another’s: wil surpass your friends in success.
chicken with its: others wil decide what to do next.
in half, a: wil win legal conflict with powerful people of vast influence.
stranger’s, a: wil defeat an unknown adversary.
dead person’s, a: wil discover the secret of servitude, pain and misery.
facing your back, your: your thoughtless stunts create long-term pain.
foreigner, of a: wil take a long journey and be unduly influenced by others.
holding own, in hands: wil have a brain disease and subsequent nervous disorder.
hunter, being captured by a: be wary of associating with wild unruly savages.
large rounded: dignity and esteem from good business transactions.
many: must meet dishonor in love with fortitude and good sense.
of own: wil receive something good unexpectedly.
being turned sideways, a one-eyed Jack: are too preoccupied with seduction.
round, having a: extract yourself from your involvement before it defeats your heart.
savage, of a: your base desires wil keep you hovering at the bottom.
severed, a: fresh bitterness over dashed hopes.
sick person dreaming of a large: wil get wel soon if you are not obsessed with worry.
small: beware of those whose pleasure is undermined with ulterior motives.
smashing your: resolve conflicts one step at a time.
three-headed person, of a: honor and money immediately upon changing your occupation.
torso without: your rapid rise is based on unstable probabilities.
without a body: a mildly amusingly experience wil prove your future.
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