The Symbolism of Trains in Dreams
Your future is going forward. Given that the train follows a fixed route, this dream suggests that you are receiving help and direction in your vital life. As a means of collective transportation, on the other hand, this image symbolizes the need to share projects, ideas, and thoughts. From it, you can deduce the need to speak more often with your loved ones, fleeing from the isolation that threatens you. On the contrary, being the only occupant of the train is a sign of great timidness or ego.
Missing a Train
If you miss a train, it indicates the frustrated hope for change or the desire to leave a real situation, but without a clear sense of direction. For Jung, the figure of public vehicles expresses that the dreamer has not found her own way yet, and that her behavior is the same as everyone else’s.
Jung's Interpretation
According to Jung, missing a train or being on one reflects a lack of personal direction or conforming to societal norms without personal growth. This is a strong symbol of needing to find one’s individual path.
Freud's Interpretation
According to Freud, dreams that imply movement represent sexual relations. Freud believed the train to be a phallic symbol, connecting it to deep sexual desires and expression.
Ancient Symbolism
In antiquity, dreaming of voyages presaged a change in fortune. This would be better if the destination were at the top of a hill or a mountain. If the voyage continued at large in a straight line, the good luck would appear very soon in your life.
See Also: Archetypes, Freud, Jung.
[1]This dream symbol can be very complicated and its meaning is specific to the dreamer (as all dream symbols are).
If you normally take the train to work and it is a part of your daily experience, closer attention should be paid to the other details of the dream. Going on a train ride may be symbolic of your life’s journey.
If you are the engineer, you may be reassuring yourself in the dream state that you are in control of a specific situation or life in general.
The train could also be symbolic of your need to move on and to do things in an orderly and sequential manner. Freud said that the train is usually a phallic symbol and that a train going through a tunnel represents intercourse. Freud also said that there are other possibilities to this symbol.
For example if you missed the train in your dream, you may be fearful of missing important opportunities. Jung thought that the train ride represented the way a person moves and behaves just like everyone else and that you the dreamer may be striving for wholeness.
[2]Vision: In a man’s dream, a train is often a sign of fear—fear of having missed something.
The train you have missed in the dream is the equivalent of a missed opportunity in real life. Traveling in a train: you are advancing quickly in life. Watching a train leaving the station: a separation is unavoidable. Seeing a train: you will have to say goodbye to someone. Being on a train that goes through a tunnel: you are giving away one of your secrets. In a woman’s dream, a train is a sexual symbol, particularly if it is driving into a tunnel.
Depth Psychology: Riding in a train is symbolic of your life’s journey. You are changing your emotional bearings—don’t miss your connections! The lead engine symbolizes your vitality; the railroad cars your experiences and adventures: the tracks the values that guide you and give you direction.
The trip itself is a symbol of how your life will unfold.
See Also: Train Station.
[3]As with trams and buses and other forms of public transport, dreams about trains suggest that you are no longer controlling your life and have become too dependent on someone or something else, such as your parents, your partner or a job. According to Freudians, trains with their huffing and pumping are phallic symbols, and a train entering a tunnel is a symbol of sexual intercourse. A broken-down or cancelled train may actually be a positive sign in dreamland, as it suggests that you are considering making your own way under your own steam. To dream of missing a train or passing a destination may also suggest missed opportunities.
If the train is stuck on a platform, this may suggest a problem that needs ironing out before any further progress can be made in waking life.
If the train makes an emergency stop, this warns against moving too fast and if the train stops at a crossing, this suggests the need for patience.
[4]To see a train of cars moving in your dreams, you will soon have reason to make a journey. Dreams of riding a train symbolize your journey along life’s path, especially in the realm of romance.
If you dream of riding on top of a train, you will be or have been wasting time with an unpleasant companion, who you will eventually seek to avoid.
If you dream of missing a train, you may have missed an opportunity recently in real life.
Dreaming of driving a train is a good omen, meaning you are on the right course in your life.
To dream about people getting killed by a train, or of being in a train wreck, suggests that progress towards your goals is not going according to plans. This may be because you lack the self-confidence to pursue them whole-heartedly.
[5]To see a train of cars moving in your dreams, you will soon have cause to make a journey.
To be on a train and it appears to move smoothly along, though there is no track, denotes that you will be much worried over some affair which will eventually prove a source of profit to you.
To see freight trains in your dreams, is an omen of changes which will tend to your elevation.
To find yourself, in a dream, on top of a sleeping car, denotes you will make a journey with an unpleasant companion, with whom you will spend money and time that could be used in a more profitable and congenial way, and whom you will seek to avoid.
[6]You are undergoing a pretty significant change or transformation. Any vehicle that moves you from one location to another signifies that big shifts are occurring.
A train is much faster than a car but slower than a plane. In this way, being on a train in your dream means that there is a medium amount of transformation going on in your life.
A train is a type of public transportation, so the changes that are taking place are more likely to relate to your public rather than your private life.
The state of the train, such as its age and the shape it is in, will offer you more distinctions to add to your interpretation.
[7]See Also: Railroad Station. Vacation or business trip? Fear of “missing” the train; or it is high time (if you want to catch the train).
See Also: Haste. Developing ones personality, striving for success and being sociable. Fleeing from the present situation.
Are you observing the train or are you traveling on the train (you are either wanting to move or you are part of the movement). What is happening on the train and how would you characterize the action?
According to Freud, leaving on a train and traveling on a train means death. However, Freud suffered from a phobia about trains.
[8]The train as a dream symbol is often linked with the Freudian interpretation of the train (phallus) going through the tunnel (vagina), representing intercourse. Yet even Freud gave trains alternative meanings (e.g., missing a train might represent missed opportunities or even missing one’s death (rather than missing intercourse). Being the engineer on a train and traveling smoothly down the track may mean staying “on track” in one’s life.
As with all such symbols, the dreamer’s prior associations with trains determines their meaning in a particular dream.
[9]Freedom, especially in regard to instinctive drives.
Freudian: An emblem of the male penis, primarily when combined with tunnel imagery.
Similar to other vehicles in terms of movement and transitions (See Also: Bus, Car, Horse).
Each car of the train may represent aspects of yourself, including hidden talents, knowledge, fears, hopes, and memories. So, exploring the train symbolizes introspection and integration of some of these portions.
For example, searching the caboose may symbolize routing out your feelings about death or endings.
[10]Dreams of a train signify that you have drive, momentum, and you are moving boldly through life by making connections with other people. This dream is a message either revealing to you that you are already on track you’re your goals and desires or if you are not, then this is a message for you to get on track with your goals and desires. Consider the feeling tone of this dream.
See Also: Conductor, Railroad Tracks, Track.
[11]To see a train going by is a sign of missed opportunity To be riding on a train means you will achieve goals even though you don’t work especially hard towards them.
A freight train is indicative of manual labor, while a passenger train points to mental work.
See Also: Engine.
[12]If in the engine, tremendous power to accomplish your goals.
If a passenger train you are carrying many people, pulling them along, which may be an unnecessary weight.
If freight train, you are moving with a heavy load.
See Also: Passenger.
[13]A train transports a large group of people or products on a track laid by others. Dreaming of-a tram may .indicate that you have adopted the values ot a large group of people and therefore are on track.
[14]1. Unceasing work or business;
2. Large Church; And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers (Acts 2:42)
[15]If the train was standing in the station or on a side track, it forecasts an unexpected hitch or delay in your plans; otherwise, see Travel.
[16]1. Social conformity.
2. Progress of the dreamer’s life.
3. Progress of business deals.
[17]Symbolic of going from one place to another
[18]See “railroad”
[19]See Also: railway.
[20]See Also: transport
[21]See Also: Vehicles.
[22]See Also: Journey
[23]See Also: TRAVEL.
[24]Train Dream Meanings: Interpretations of Travel, Ambitions, and Life Changes
lucky numbers: 14-20-27-46-48-49
Common Train Dream Scenarios
Brakeman turning the switch: All changes for the better will happen eventually.
Buying tickets for a train: You are restless and yearn for the open road.
Cargo train: Present complex concerns will ultimately prove beneficial to you.
Cogwheel, a broken one: Approaching money will change your outlook.
Many trains: Plans will succeed from now on.
Occupations and Roles
Conductor, being a: Your ambitions are overburdened with too many steps to your goal.
Engineer: Your ambition will be crowned as difficulties are overcome easily.
Freight train: Improved business circumstances if you stay on track.
Train Movements and Symbolism
Locomotive: Ask to be allowed precious time to observe travel.
Train coming toward you: Your desire to relive an experience can’t be done.
Train going away from you: You will be jilted by a lover after your deceptive actions are revealed.
Train going full speed: Quick rise to wealth for a contented life.
Two trains hooked together: You wish to move forward and solidify the relationship.
Wrecked train: Loss of prosperity has left you with nothing but a movie of your life.
Mail, Missing, and Connections
Mail train: You are frustrated at a letter unanswered, or never sent.
Missing a train: Opportunity will pass you by if you are not prepared.
Missing a connection: Something to blame your inferiorities on; stop running others’ lives.
Sleeping Cars and Stations
Sleeping cars, being in: Your lewd actions taint your selfish struggle to amass wealth.
Spending all night on a train: You will arrive at the decision on another’s timetable.
Train station, arriving at one: Take a deep breath and proceed with your journey of life.
Train station, leaving: Check all systems and slowly gain momentum.
Subways, Wrecks, and Track Changes
Subway, riding in one: You must keep a stiff upper lip through irritating incidents.
Being in a train wreck: You will have a car full of friends to support your next venture.
Switching tracks in a train: An outside source will cause your change of direction.
Traveling on a train: You are optimistic that a lawsuit will be ruled in your favor.
Family, Friends, and Life Journey
Train through a tunnel: You can avoid a mass of work by following your instincts.
Traveling with the family: Take advantage of your life; do not let yourself be taken advantage of.
Traveling with friends: A major professional move is imminent; keep your approach to it rational.
Wrecks and Disappointments
Watching a train leave: Your broad vision deters you from accepting the first offer.
Wreck with another train: Distress and many disappointments are ahead.
See Also: Locomotive, Travel, Journey.
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