Unlocking the Meaning of Artistic Dreams

Dreams about drawing or painting can be rich with significance, often serving as a window into our inner selves and emotions. They are expressions of our desire to create, to communicate feelings, and to find clarity in our experiences. In many cultures, particularly within the Islamic tradition articulated by scholars like Ibni Sirin, dreams are seen as reflections of our truth and a connection to the divine.

Engaging in artistic activities in dreams often mirrors our waking life desires and struggles, highlighting the importance of creativity as a means of personal expression and emotional release. Whether you are actively engaged in art or simply wish to explore your own creative impulses, these dreams can be profound. They encourage us to delve into our subconscious and might even offer guided insight into areas of our lives that seek creativity and healing.

Understanding these dreams can help illuminate your path toward greater self-awareness and fulfillment.

• Dreaming of drawing or painting often signifies a desire for self-expression.
• These dreams can reflect your creative potential and personal growth.
• Artistic endeavors in dreams may highlight emotional healing and clarity.
• Drawing or painting dreams may represent the need to clarify thoughts or feelings.
• Always interpret dreams in the context of personal spirituality and emotional states.

Symbols

• canvas
  • Illustrator:

    (Artist; Illustrator) In a dream, a painter represents knowledge, archi¬ tecture, wisdom, writing poems, writing love songs or telling lies. A painter in a dream also represents someone who conceals his acts, or hides his true face. He also could represent alcoholism, falling in love, marriage, or having children.

    Some of the painter’s works are beneficial while others are harmful. All depending on the quality of his work, its objectives, balance, resemblance to the object painted and authenticity. The characteristics of such a person in the dream may be that of a hypocrite in wakefulness, or an ostentatious person, a toadying person, a hypocrite, a panegyrist, or a lauding person, though he mostly looks as a good, sincere and a hard working person.

    The value of his paintings varies depending on the subject treated. A painter in a dream also represents a person who loves flattery, self-adulation, an eloquently speaking person, a liar, one who fails his promises, or he could represent strength and authority.

  • Portrait:
  • Pencil:

    (Pencil; Tongue) In a dream, a pen represents knowledge, learning, a child, a tradesman, or commanding what is good and forbidding what is evil. If a tradesman or a craftsman sees a pen in his dream, it means that he will be successful in his trade, or that he will preside over people of the same trade. If a tradesman earns something with a pen, or writes an invoice with it in a dream, it means that he will be protected from poverty through his trade.

    If a writer sees himself carrying a pen, or holding a paper, or an inkwell in a dream, it also means having a source of income, protection against poverty, earning one’s DICTIONARY OF DREAMS 325 livelihood from writing, or from working under someone in authority. A pen in a dream also represents one’s manager, his controller, a cosigner, a witness in an agreement, entering into a marriage agreement, or it could represent an intelligent son who will become a famous writer. Owning a pen or receiving a one as a gift in a dream means acquiring knowledge.

    Then, if one proceeds to write with it in his dream, it means receiving an appointment, or occupying a position of authority. Looking at a pen one is holding in his hand and seeing another pen laying beside him in a dream denotes having a half brother, or if one’s mother is pregnant, it means that she will deliver a new son. A pen in a dream also means a guarantee.

    If one’s wife is pregnant, then if he sees a pen laying beside an inkwell in his dream, it means that she will beget a son. Holding a pen in a dream also means making an oath. If one’s pen is broken or scratched in a dream, it will reflect on his business, trade and livelihood.

    Moistening a pen from an inkwell in a dream means committing a sin. A pen in a dream also represents virtues by which one is known, or it could mean complying with a court judgement, or signing a court order, or it could represent a scholar, a judge, one’s tongue, a sword, one’s penis, a railway, generosity, abundance, human¬ kind, one’s confidant, or winning victory over one’s enemy. If one’s pen looks in good condition in the dream, it means that one’s oath or covenant is true.

    Otherwise, a defective pen in a dream represents a false oath, or a biased agreement. A pen in a dream also means longevity and prosperity.

• painting
  • Portrait:
  • Illustrator:

    (Artist; Illustrator) In a dream, a painter represents knowledge, archi¬ tecture, wisdom, writing poems, writing love songs or telling lies. A painter in a dream also represents someone who conceals his acts, or hides his true face. He also could represent alcoholism, falling in love, marriage, or having children.

    Some of the painter’s works are beneficial while others are harmful. All depending on the quality of his work, its objectives, balance, resemblance to the object painted and authenticity. The characteristics of such a person in the dream may be that of a hypocrite in wakefulness, or an ostentatious person, a toadying person, a hypocrite, a panegyrist, or a lauding person, though he mostly looks as a good, sincere and a hard working person.

    The value of his paintings varies depending on the subject treated. A painter in a dream also represents a person who loves flattery, self-adulation, an eloquently speaking person, a liar, one who fails his promises, or he could represent strength and authority.

  • Trousers:
• drawing
  • Portrait:
  • Illustrator:

    (Artist; Illustrator) In a dream, a painter represents knowledge, archi¬ tecture, wisdom, writing poems, writing love songs or telling lies. A painter in a dream also represents someone who conceals his acts, or hides his true face. He also could represent alcoholism, falling in love, marriage, or having children.

    Some of the painter’s works are beneficial while others are harmful. All depending on the quality of his work, its objectives, balance, resemblance to the object painted and authenticity. The characteristics of such a person in the dream may be that of a hypocrite in wakefulness, or an ostentatious person, a toadying person, a hypocrite, a panegyrist, or a lauding person, though he mostly looks as a good, sincere and a hard working person.

    The value of his paintings varies depending on the subject treated. A painter in a dream also represents a person who loves flattery, self-adulation, an eloquently speaking person, a liar, one who fails his promises, or he could represent strength and authority.

  • Pencil:

    (Pencil; Tongue) In a dream, a pen represents knowledge, learning, a child, a tradesman, or commanding what is good and forbidding what is evil. If a tradesman or a craftsman sees a pen in his dream, it means that he will be successful in his trade, or that he will preside over people of the same trade. If a tradesman earns something with a pen, or writes an invoice with it in a dream, it means that he will be protected from poverty through his trade.

    If a writer sees himself carrying a pen, or holding a paper, or an inkwell in a dream, it also means having a source of income, protection against poverty, earning one’s DICTIONARY OF DREAMS 325 livelihood from writing, or from working under someone in authority. A pen in a dream also represents one’s manager, his controller, a cosigner, a witness in an agreement, entering into a marriage agreement, or it could represent an intelligent son who will become a famous writer. Owning a pen or receiving a one as a gift in a dream means acquiring knowledge.

    Then, if one proceeds to write with it in his dream, it means receiving an appointment, or occupying a position of authority. Looking at a pen one is holding in his hand and seeing another pen laying beside him in a dream denotes having a half brother, or if one’s mother is pregnant, it means that she will deliver a new son. A pen in a dream also means a guarantee.

    If one’s wife is pregnant, then if he sees a pen laying beside an inkwell in his dream, it means that she will beget a son. Holding a pen in a dream also means making an oath. If one’s pen is broken or scratched in a dream, it will reflect on his business, trade and livelihood.

    Moistening a pen from an inkwell in a dream means committing a sin. A pen in a dream also represents virtues by which one is known, or it could mean complying with a court judgement, or signing a court order, or it could represent a scholar, a judge, one’s tongue, a sword, one’s penis, a railway, generosity, abundance, human¬ kind, one’s confidant, or winning victory over one’s enemy. If one’s pen looks in good condition in the dream, it means that one’s oath or covenant is true.

    Otherwise, a defective pen in a dream represents a false oath, or a biased agreement. A pen in a dream also means longevity and prosperity.

• illustration
  • Portrait:
  • Frame of a person:

    (Build; Contour; Frame; Profile) Having a tall figure in a dream signifies pride, arrogance, stinginess, ostentatiousness or pretending to be tall. . If one sees his figure shorter than his normal size in a dream, then it denotes losing respect or nearing the end of one’s life.

    Seeing oneself beyond the common human size in a dream also denotes the near end of one’s life, or it could mean falling in rank. If someone in authority sees himself shorter in size in a dream, it means that he will lose his post, or fail to render a just verdict, or it could mean a political fight. Being smaller than usual in a dream means 158 lUii uujjim t u defeat in a war or losing a fight.

    If a politician sees himself tall in a dream, it means that he will win his political battle. (Also see Body')

  • Contour of a person:

    (Build; Contour; Frame; Profile) Having a tall figure in a dream signifies pride, arrogance, stinginess, ostentatiousness or pretending to be tall. . If one sees his figure shorter than his normal size in a dream, then it denotes losing respect or nearing the end of one’s life.

    Seeing oneself beyond the common human size in a dream also denotes the near end of one’s life, or it could mean falling in rank. If someone in authority sees himself shorter in size in a dream, it means that he will lose his post, or fail to render a just verdict, or it could mean a political fight. Being smaller than usual in a dream means 158 lUii uujjim t u defeat in a war or losing a fight.

    If a politician sees himself tall in a dream, it means that he will win his political battle. (Also see Body')

• artwork
  • Portrait:
  • Engineer:
  • Glazier:

    (Coating; Glazier; Pride) In a dream, an enamelist represents someone who is proud of himself or who is arrogant and deceives himself about his greatness, wealth and attainments, or who mixes with and befriends stupid people and opens his heart to them.

• sketch
  • Pencil:

    (Pencil; Tongue) In a dream, a pen represents knowledge, learning, a child, a tradesman, or commanding what is good and forbidding what is evil. If a tradesman or a craftsman sees a pen in his dream, it means that he will be successful in his trade, or that he will preside over people of the same trade. If a tradesman earns something with a pen, or writes an invoice with it in a dream, it means that he will be protected from poverty through his trade.

    If a writer sees himself carrying a pen, or holding a paper, or an inkwell in a dream, it also means having a source of income, protection against poverty, earning one’s DICTIONARY OF DREAMS 325 livelihood from writing, or from working under someone in authority. A pen in a dream also represents one’s manager, his controller, a cosigner, a witness in an agreement, entering into a marriage agreement, or it could represent an intelligent son who will become a famous writer. Owning a pen or receiving a one as a gift in a dream means acquiring knowledge.

    Then, if one proceeds to write with it in his dream, it means receiving an appointment, or occupying a position of authority. Looking at a pen one is holding in his hand and seeing another pen laying beside him in a dream denotes having a half brother, or if one’s mother is pregnant, it means that she will deliver a new son. A pen in a dream also means a guarantee.

    If one’s wife is pregnant, then if he sees a pen laying beside an inkwell in his dream, it means that she will beget a son. Holding a pen in a dream also means making an oath. If one’s pen is broken or scratched in a dream, it will reflect on his business, trade and livelihood.

    Moistening a pen from an inkwell in a dream means committing a sin. A pen in a dream also represents virtues by which one is known, or it could mean complying with a court judgement, or signing a court order, or it could represent a scholar, a judge, one’s tongue, a sword, one’s penis, a railway, generosity, abundance, human¬ kind, one’s confidant, or winning victory over one’s enemy. If one’s pen looks in good condition in the dream, it means that one’s oath or covenant is true.

    Otherwise, a defective pen in a dream represents a false oath, or a biased agreement. A pen in a dream also means longevity and prosperity.

  • Illustrator:

    (Artist; Illustrator) In a dream, a painter represents knowledge, archi¬ tecture, wisdom, writing poems, writing love songs or telling lies. A painter in a dream also represents someone who conceals his acts, or hides his true face. He also could represent alcoholism, falling in love, marriage, or having children.

    Some of the painter’s works are beneficial while others are harmful. All depending on the quality of his work, its objectives, balance, resemblance to the object painted and authenticity. The characteristics of such a person in the dream may be that of a hypocrite in wakefulness, or an ostentatious person, a toadying person, a hypocrite, a panegyrist, or a lauding person, though he mostly looks as a good, sincere and a hard working person.

    The value of his paintings varies depending on the subject treated. A painter in a dream also represents a person who loves flattery, self-adulation, an eloquently speaking person, a liar, one who fails his promises, or he could represent strength and authority.

  • Defraud:

Practical Steps to Embrace Your Dream's Message

• Reflect on Your Current Emotions

  Start by noting your feelings when you wake from such dreams. Write down your emotions and specific images, as these can provide context for understanding what your subconscious is trying to convey. Are you feeling stagnant or unexpressed in your waking life?

  A dream about painting may be a nudge from your inner self encouraging you to find creative outlets or engage more deeply with your emotions.

• Explore Your Creative Side

  Consider taking up a creative hobby. Whether it’s drawing, painting, or journaling, engaging with art can unlock different pathways of expression. This not only cultivates personal fulfillment but can also act as a therapeutic process, helping you to process emotions and thoughts emerging from your dreams.

• Connect with Nature

  Spend some time outdoors in natural environments. Nature can inspire creativity and calm the mind, providing a backdrop where your new ideas can flourish. A simple walk or an afternoon in the park might spark the creative ideas waiting to be drawn or painted.

• Discuss Your Dreams with Someone You Trust

  Engaging in conversation about your dreams with a friend or mentor can provide new perspectives. Sharing interpretations can yield insights you might not see alone, and it can reinforce the notion that creativity and self-expression stem from community connection and support.

FAQs

• What does it mean to dream about drawing or painting?

  Dreaming about drawing or painting often symbolizes your inner desire for self-expression and creativity. It can indicate that you are seeking to clarify your thoughts and emotions or that you have unexpressed feelings that need an artistic outlet. Engaging with these themes in your dreams may show your journey towards personal growth.

• Are dreams about painting indicative of my emotional state?

  Yes, such dreams can reflect your emotional state. If you dream of vibrant colors and joyous scenes, it may indicate positive emotional health. Conversely, dark colors or chaotic imagery can symbolize underlying anxieties or a need for emotional healing.

• Can dreams about drawing or painting help me in my waking life?

  Absolutely! These dreams can inspire you to pursue creative activities in your waking life. They encourage you to express yourself more freely and may guide you to explore new avenues for personal expression that promote happiness and fulfillment.

• Is there a spiritual significance to dreaming about art?

  In many cultures, including Islamic traditions, dreaming about art can signify a deeper spiritual message, reflecting your connection to the divine and your creative spirit. These dreams remind you to harness your inherent potential and to seek beauty in your life through creation and expression.

• What should I do if I frequently dream about painting?

  If these dreams recur, consider exploring your creativity more seriously. Evaluate how you express your emotions in your waking life and whether you may be stifling your artistic inclinations. Journaling about your dreams may also enhance your understanding and connection to your creative urges.

References