The Powerful Dream of a Loved One's Return: A Reflection on Family and War

Dreaming of a family member returning from war is a profoundly moving event that resonates deeply within the psyche of the dreamer. Such dreams can evoke a range of emotions, from joy and relief to anxiety and longing. They often symbolize our innermost desires for safety, connection, and healing, particularly in the context of personal or family conflict.

Through the lens of tradition, as elucidated by Ibni Sirin, these dreams reveal a rich tapestry of meanings, reflecting both personal and universal truths. As we explore this dream more deeply, it is vital to understand that they invite a confrontation of our feelings surrounding love, loss, and the often-complicated nature of familial bonds. Dreams are not mere reflections of our waking life; they carry messages from our subconscious, urging us to address unresolved feelings and relationships.

This dream's significance may vary depending on individual experiences, cultural backgrounds, and personal beliefs, making each interpretation unique and meaningful.

• Dreaming of a family member returning from war may symbolize inner conflicts and resolutions within relationships.
• Such dreams can reflect yearning for reconnection and healing past wounds.
• Cultural and personal contexts play crucial roles in the interpretation of these dreams.

Symbols

• battle
  • Waving a sword:
  • Competition:
  • Contest:
• kin
  • Regent:

    (God Almighty; Governor; Mayor; President; Royalty; Sultan) The true King is God Almighty. If the king is pleased with someone in a dream, it means that God Almighty is pleased with him, and if the king is angry with him in the dream, it means that God Almighty is displeased with him. If one sees the king frowning in a dream, it means that he fails to properly perform his prayers or show true religious devotion.

    If one sees him smiling in a dream, it means profits in one’s material as well as spiritual life. If one sees that God Almighty has appointed him as a king over a land, it means that he will receive such a regency, should he qualify. Later on, unrest will bring tyrants, or dictators to justice, while people of knowledge and piety will survive and regain their authority.

    If one sees himself as a calif or as an Imam in a dream and should he qualify, it means that he will receive such an honor, rank, trust and fame in the land, though his vice-regency will not become hereditary. However, it is a bad omen if he becomes a calif in the dream and does not qualify for such an appointment. In such a case, and by contrast, he will be humiliated and dispersed, and his own helpers will become his superiors, while his enemies will rejoice at his misfortune.

    If one sees himself as a king in a dream, though in reality he does not qualify, DICTIONARY OF DREAMS 241 it means that he may die quickly, and the same is true if a sick person sees himself turned into a king. If he is healthy, it means that someone in his family may die shortly. Seeing a king in a dream also denotes exposing hidden secrets.

    If a philosopher or a fortuneteller sees himself transformed into a king in a dream, then it denotes glad tidings should he not complain about it in his dream. If a slave sees himself becoming a king in a dream, it means that he will be set free. If one sees himself becoming one of the great kings of this world in a dream, it means that he will attain worldly success in his life, though it will be accompanied with religious failure.

    If the person is a natural con artist, it means that he will be captured and imprisoned. If a man sees himself awarded a knighthood that is suitable only for woman, then it means his death. If one sees the kingreprimandinghim in a dream, it means peace between them.

    If one sees himself arguing a case with knowledge and wisdom before a king in a dream, it means that he will win his case and receive what he came for. If one sees himself complaisant with the king about his case in the dream, it means that he will lose his case and the judgment will go the king’s way. If one sees himself walking with a king and rubbing shoulders with him in the dream, it means that he will oppose the king or disobey him.

    If he sees himself following the king in a dream, it means that he will pursue the king’s traditions during his lifetime or after his death. If one enters the king’s palace prostrating in a dream, it means that he will be appointed in a leadership position and receive the king’s pardon. If one sees himself mixing with the king’s harem, or sleeping with them and should there be signs of comfort, trueness, or wisdom in his act in the dream, it means that he will enter the king’s inner circles.

    Otherwise, should he in the dream fear the consequences of what is happening, or if he lacks trueness, or if he slanders them, or indulges in what is unlawful for him to do, then should he reach the king’s door, it means that he will triumph against his enemies inside that palace, and they can cause no harm to him. If in his dream, the king gives him a gift, it means that he will win victory and honor in his life to equal the value of that gift. If the king gives him a brocaded silk garment in the dream, it means that he will give him a wife from the royal family.

    If the king speaks to someone in a dream, it means honor, fame, wealth after poverty, release from jail, expansion of one’s business, or victory over one’s enemy. If an appointed governor sees himself looking into a mirror in a dream, it means that he will be dismissed from his post. If an appointed king sees someone who looks like him sitting in his throne in a dream, it means that he will beget a son.

    If he divorces his wife in a dream, it means that he will abdicate his throne. To see oneself sleeping with the king in the same bed and without a curtain between them, and if the king leaves the bed while one remains resting therein in the dream, it means that his mixing with the king will incur jealousy, or that he will inherit him. If one leaves the bed before the king, it means that he will escape from a great danger.

    If one sees himself sleeping alone in the king’s bed in a dream, it means that he will marry a woman from the governing family, or that he may spend from his own money for the sake of a woman in that palace. If the bed is in the palace though unknown in the dream, it means that he will become a member of that government. If a king hears his subjects praising him in a dream, it means that he will show good qualities.

    If his subjects shower him with money in a dream, it means that they speak ill of him or cast blame at him. If they shower him with sugar in the dream, it means they speak nicely of him, and if they shower him with stones in the dream, it means that they will speak harshly of him. If one sees the people paying obeisance and bowing to him in a dream, it means that they will stand humbly before him.

    If they prostrate themselves before him in a dream, it means that they truly praise him. If a king sees himself following the opinion of a woman in a dream, it means that he will lose his 242 jLDI^I UUJUXlAll KJ kingdom or fall victim to depression, or that he will be thrown into jail. If he opposes her in the dream, it means that he will escape from a great danger.

    If a king sees himself walking in a dream when a common subject comes near him and whispers something in his ear, the commoner here represents the angel of death ‘Izrail, and it means that the king may die a sudden death. Eating from the hand of one’s servant in a dream represents the growing of one’s authority, increase of his business, knowledge, or wisdom. If a king sees himself preparing a banquet for guests in a dream, it means that his opponents will come to argue their case, though he will win over them.

    If he sees himself placing food on the table in a dream, it means that a messenger will come to see him concerning a dispute. If the food is sweet, then the problem will end nicely. If the food is greasy, then the problem will be a lasting one.

    Sour food then means steadfastness. Eating on the table of a just and a righteous king in a dream means blessings and honor. If the king is seen walking alone in the markets in a dream, it means that he is a humble, just, and a strong ruler.

    A sick king in a dream represents weakness in his faith and injustice toward his subjects. If the king is carried over people’s shoulders in a dream, it means lack of faith and lack of attendance to one’s religious obligations, or weakness in his ruling. If the king dies and does not get buried in a dream, it means that the king and his subjects are deviates.

    If he is buried and the people walk away from his grave in the dream, it means that one will pursue something of no benefit, unless God Almighty decrees otherwise. If one sees the king’s head transformed into a ram’s head in a dream, it means that the king is a just and a kind ruler. If his head is transformed into a dog’s head in the dream, then it represents his vile nature.

    If his chest turns into a stone in the dream, it means that his heart will become like a rock. If one sees his own hand turn into the king’s hand in a dream, it means that he will receive a leadingjob. If one sees the king flying with wings in a dream, it means that his authority will spread.

    If his fingers increase in shape or number in the dream, it means that his greed and injustice will manifest. Any dream about a deceased king will manifest in his successors or in his progeny.

  • Tracing footsteps:

    444 ItJXN SUUKIN'S

  • Acorn:

    (Acorn; Gull; Oak apples) In a dream, gullnuts represent an endowment or a growing capital investment.

• returning
  • Journey:

    (Return from a journey) When one returns from a trip in a dream, it means paying one’s dues, dispelling sorrow and sadness, escaping from ill consequences, receiving a reward, or repenting from sin.

  • Paying a debt:
  • Merchandise:
• war
  • Strive:
  • Waving a sword:
  • War:

    (Fight) In a dream, war means deception, betrayal, misleading, or trickery. War in a dream also means inflation, rising prices, a plague, food lines, adversities and stress. If a soldier sees himself fighting an enemy in a dream, it means that he will gain benefits and success in his life.

    (Also see War corre¬ spondent)

• reverting
  • Requital:

    (Retaliation; Retribution) In a dream, requital means longevity, departure from one’s past, or it could mean instituting justice, or performing penance that will purify the person from his sins, such as prayers, voluntary fasting and alms giving.

  • Estrangement:

    (Desertion; Denial; Divorce; Estrangement) Repudiating one’s wife in a dream means unveiling or exposing disturbing secrets. Repudiation in a dream also denotes a vow one has forgotten about. Repudiation in a dream also denotes having loathsome sexual preferences, or desiring anal intercourse with one’s wife, or it could mean running away from one’s enemy.

  • Denial:

    (Desertion; Denial; Divorce; Estrangement) Repudiating one’s wife in a dream means unveiling or exposing disturbing secrets. Repudiation in a dream also denotes a vow one has forgotten about. Repudiation in a dream also denotes having loathsome sexual preferences, or desiring anal intercourse with one’s wife, or it could mean running away from one’s enemy.

• family member
  • Alimony:

    (Alimony; Maintenance) To provide support for one’s family and relatives in a dream mean prosperity, protection for one’s children and concern for one’s posterity. Whatever expenses one spends to support his family in a dream will be money he will receive in wakefulness. If one finds himself unwillingly giving family support or alimony to his wife in a dream, it means hypocrisy, or that he is nearing his death.

    152 IBN SEERIN’S

  • Maintenance:

    (Alimony; Maintenance) To provide support for one’s family and relatives in a dream mean prosperity, protection for one’s children and concern for one’s posterity. Whatever expenses one spends to support his family in a dream will be money he will receive in wakefulness. If one finds himself unwillingly giving family support or alimony to his wife in a dream, it means hypocrisy, or that he is nearing his death.

    152 IBN SEERIN’S

  • Old man:

    An unknown elderly person in a dream represents one’s good luck, happiness and one’s assiduity and diligence. If the unknown elderly person looks strong in the dream, he represents one’s strength. Otherwise, if he looks feeble, then he represents one’s weakness.

    Whatever physical conditions an elderly person is seen with in the dream, such condition will reflect in one’s own state. If an elderly person comes toward the person seeing the dream, it means that someone will help him attain a praiseworthy rank. If one follows an elderly person in a dream, it means that he follows a good path.

    If one sees an elderly person and displeases him in the dream, it means that he will displease a close friend or reject his advice. If he pleases him in the dream, it means that he will consent with a close good friend and they will walk together on the path to reap material as well as spiritual benefits. If one sees a gathering of friendly people but could not determine whether they are young or elderly in a dream, it means that he will discover new avenues in his life and he will draw material and spiritual benefits from them.

    If he sees a gathering of young people he does not recognize in the dream, it means that he will associate himself with rich people. If he sees a gathering of elderly people he does not recognize in the dream, it means that he will associate himself with good friends. If a woman sees an elderly person she could not recognize in the dream, he represents the world.

    If a young man sees himself turned into an elderly person in a dream, it means that he will acquire knowledge and wisdom. Listening to a good looking elderly person in a dream means receiving honor and rank. If an elderly person sees himself turned young in a dream, it represents his strength, wealth, good living and a healthy life, or it could mean material or religious losses, or it could mean his death.

    If an elderly person sees himself beingborn again in a dream, it means his death. If he is ill, it could represent his attachment to the world, and if he is poor, it could denote his earning. If an elderly person sees himself as a youth in a dream, it could also mean committing a childish act or an unwise act.

    A wise elderly person in a dream represents honor, rank, dignity, wealth, blessings and longevity. On the other hand, seeing an elderly person in a dream could represents failure, weaknesses, defeat, disablement or inertness.

• coming back
  • Paying a debt:
  • Behind:

    (Behind; Posterior; Rear side) In a dream, the back of a human being represents what people hold for him of praises or blame, acceptance or rejection, honor or humiliation, or it could represents one’s debts. Seeing the back of a human being in a dream also means following his tracks or practices. If a positive look manifests therein, such as a sweet fragrance or the emergence of a radiant light, or if it turns into iron in the dream, it signifies one’s gratitude regarding his own condition.

    In a dream, the rear side of the human being represents his outward appearance or what renders the human being accept¬ able, or it could represent his garment, an ostentatious person, a show of grandeur, pride about one’s social class, a show of being wealthy, the surround¬ ings of one’s house, the outskirts of a town, the outer display of one’s religion or his school of thought. A broken back in a dream means fear, distress and sorrow. If one sees his rear side dark in color, black or red in a dream, it means that he may suffer from physical abuse and beating during a fight.

    Seeing one’s own back in a dream also could mean buying new clothing, or it could mean feeling strong because of one’s knowledge, his son, power, political connections, wealth or property. Seeing one’s back in a dream also could mean to repudiate one’s wife. If one’s back is seared or cauterized in a dream, it denotes stinginess, or it could mean that he fails to comply with God’s rights upon him.

    If one sees his back bent in a dream, it means a misfortune. If one sees the back of his friend in a dream, it means that his friend will turn his back to him at times when he needs him most. If one sees the back of his enemy in a dream, it means that he will be guarded against his threats.

    If one sees the back of an old woman in a dream, it means that the world is turning its back to him. If she is in her middle age in the dream, it means that he is seeking something hard to obtain. If she is a young woman in the dream, it means that he is expecting something and must be patient to acquire it.

    One’s back also represents old age. Back pain in a dream means poverty, sickness, debility, imprisonment of one’s boss or the death of a brother. One’s back in a dream also represents one’s dependence on a strong person.

    If one sees himself carrying a heavy load on his back in a dream, it means debts, or a vicious neighbor. A broken back in a dream means losing one’s strength and power, or it could mean one’s death. If a sick person sees his back broken in a dream, it means that the person who is taking care of him may die shortly, or it could mean that he will suffer from poverty.

    Carrying burdens IBN SEERIN’S Zb over one’s back in a dream means sins. Carrying a coffin or a load of merchandise over one’s back in a dream means carrying forgotten debts that will surface at awkward times. Carrying wood over one’s back in a dream means backbiting, slandering people and reporting lies.

    Carrying a heavy load over one’s back in a dream also means having many children with little money to sustain them. Seeing a hunchbacked person in a dream means prosperity, longevity or having a large family. ( Also see Backbone; Backside; Body’)

  • Posterior:

    (Behind; Posterior; Rear side) In a dream, the back of a human being represents what people hold for him of praises or blame, acceptance or rejection, honor or humiliation, or it could represents one’s debts. Seeing the back of a human being in a dream also means following his tracks or practices. If a positive look manifests therein, such as a sweet fragrance or the emergence of a radiant light, or if it turns into iron in the dream, it signifies one’s gratitude regarding his own condition.

    In a dream, the rear side of the human being represents his outward appearance or what renders the human being accept¬ able, or it could represent his garment, an ostentatious person, a show of grandeur, pride about one’s social class, a show of being wealthy, the surround¬ ings of one’s house, the outskirts of a town, the outer display of one’s religion or his school of thought. A broken back in a dream means fear, distress and sorrow. If one sees his rear side dark in color, black or red in a dream, it means that he may suffer from physical abuse and beating during a fight.

    Seeing one’s own back in a dream also could mean buying new clothing, or it could mean feeling strong because of one’s knowledge, his son, power, political connections, wealth or property. Seeing one’s back in a dream also could mean to repudiate one’s wife. If one’s back is seared or cauterized in a dream, it denotes stinginess, or it could mean that he fails to comply with God’s rights upon him.

    If one sees his back bent in a dream, it means a misfortune. If one sees the back of his friend in a dream, it means that his friend will turn his back to him at times when he needs him most. If one sees the back of his enemy in a dream, it means that he will be guarded against his threats.

    If one sees the back of an old woman in a dream, it means that the world is turning its back to him. If she is in her middle age in the dream, it means that he is seeking something hard to obtain. If she is a young woman in the dream, it means that he is expecting something and must be patient to acquire it.

    One’s back also represents old age. Back pain in a dream means poverty, sickness, debility, imprisonment of one’s boss or the death of a brother. One’s back in a dream also represents one’s dependence on a strong person.

    If one sees himself carrying a heavy load on his back in a dream, it means debts, or a vicious neighbor. A broken back in a dream means losing one’s strength and power, or it could mean one’s death. If a sick person sees his back broken in a dream, it means that the person who is taking care of him may die shortly, or it could mean that he will suffer from poverty.

    Carrying burdens IBN SEERIN’S Zb over one’s back in a dream means sins. Carrying a coffin or a load of merchandise over one’s back in a dream means carrying forgotten debts that will surface at awkward times. Carrying wood over one’s back in a dream means backbiting, slandering people and reporting lies.

    Carrying a heavy load over one’s back in a dream also means having many children with little money to sustain them. Seeing a hunchbacked person in a dream means prosperity, longevity or having a large family. ( Also see Backbone; Backside; Body’)

• conflict
  • Controversy:

    (Controversy; Quarrel) If one sees himself quarreling with someone in a dream, it means that he will suffer extreme pressure, stress and sorrow. If one is engaged in a dispute in a dream, it means that he is wrong and must rectify the situation and make peace with the other person. If he does so, it means that he will win what his heart desires.

  • Compromise:
  • Peace:
• relative
  • Confident:

    (Companion. See Book; Secret)

  • Corona Borealis:

    Correspondence; (Affinity; Concord; Likeness) Exchanging correspondence be¬ tween two friends in a dream means longevity, for it means joining two destinies and it means comfort and happiness each one gets from his friend.

  • Strap:

    (See Bond')

Navigating the Emotional Terrain of Reunion Dreams

• Reflect on Your Relationships

  Spend some time contemplating your current relationships with family members. Are there strains or unresolved issues that need addressing? Dreaming of a family member returning from war often reflects a desire for reconciliation or healing.

  Journaling your thoughts and feelings can help clarify your emotions. Consider reaching out to those you feel distant from to initiate a conversation about any underlying tensions. This not only fosters healing but can strengthen your bonds.

• Meditate on Your Inner Conflicts

  Take a moment to meditate on the feelings that arose during your dream. Did you feel joy, fear, or anxiety? These emotions can be a gateway to understanding your inner conflicts.

  Meditation can help ground you, enabling you to face these emotions with clarity and peace. As you reflect, visualize yourself surrounded by the love and support of your family. Embrace these feelings, acknowledging their significance in your life.

• Engage in Family Activities

  If possible, plan an activity that brings your family together. This could be as simple as a family dinner or a fun outing. Family activities create opportunities for connection and healing that may be necessary if there has been distance or conflict.

  Use this time to strengthen ties, fostering an environment where love and support can thrive. Being proactive in nurturing relationships can dramatically impact family harmony and your overall well-being.

FAQs

• What does it mean to dream of a family member returning from war?

  Dreaming of a family member returning from war often symbolizes a desire for healing within family relationships. It can evoke feelings of joy as well as apprehension, reflecting both the hope for reconnection and the fear of unresolved conflicts. In traditional interpretations, such dreams may also signify the need for reconciliation and a longing for safety.

• Are there different meanings based on who the family member is?

  Yes, the significance may vary depending on who the family member is in the dream. For instance, dreaming of a parent may relate to authority or foundational beliefs, while a sibling may symbolize companionship and rivalry. Each relationship brings its own complexities and issues to light in the dream context.

• How can I use this dream to improve my real-life situation?

  Use your dream as a starting point for self-reflection. Identify feelings that may have arisen during the dream and address any conflicts within your family directly. Consider reaching out to loved ones for discussions to alleviate misunderstandings. This proactive approach can lead to healing and deeper connections.

• What if I frequently dream of this theme?

  Recurring dreams may indicate unresolved emotions or conflicts that need to be acknowledged. It's essential to pay attention to the feelings that accompany these dreams, as they can provide clues to your emotional state. Engaging in open communication with family members can help process these feelings further.

• Can cultural beliefs influence my dream interpretation?

  Absolutely! Cultural backgrounds shape our perceptions of dreams significantly. Different cultures have their interpretations and significance surrounding war, family, and relationships. Understanding the cultural context in which you view your dream can provide additional insights into its meaning.

References