What Does It Mean When You Dream of Carrying Heavy Burdens?

Dreams about carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders can evoke strong emotions and discomfort. Such dreams often reflect the stress and responsibilities we face in our waking lives. They may symbolize feelings of being overwhelmed, burdened by expectations, or grappling with high levels of anxiety.

In many spiritual traditions, including the teachings of Ibni Sirin, these dreams raise awareness about the inner turmoil one might be experiencing. Understanding the symbolism behind these dreams can help illuminate our emotional state and guide us toward finding balance and peace. It is essential to reflect on what specific burdens you are carrying in your life.

Are they related to work, family, or personal aspirations? By exploring these feelings, we can better understand our dreams and strive for a healthier emotional state.

• Dreams about carrying heavy burdens often symbolize feelings of stress and overwhelming responsibility.
• Such dreams may reflect your subconscious worries about personal duties or expectations.
• Understanding these dreams can guide you in managing real-life stresses and seeking help when needed.

Symbols

• shoulders
  • Shoulders:

    (Friend; Responsibility; Support) Riding over the shoulders of one’s enemy in a dream means committing a wrongdoing or a shameful act against someone. If there is no enmity between the two, and if one sees himself riding over the shoulders of his friend in a dream, it means that he will earn something from him. Carrying someone over one’s shoulders in a dream means being indebted to him.

    Carrying a hypocrite over one’s shoulders in a dream could mean that one may work at a lumberyard, or deliver wood for living. One’s shoulders in a dream also represent his parents, brothers, partners, one’s station, or beauty. Anything that affects them in a dream will show in any of the above.

    Shoulders in a dream also represent one’s partner, his employee, assistant, or a close friend. As for a prisoner, having large shoulders in a dream means serving a long term imprisonment. Aching shoulders in a dream may represent the sickness of one’s brothers.

    Shoulders in a dream also represent one’s child, or the weight and amount of responsibilities one can assume.

  • Bosom:
  • Rear side:
• globe
  • Galaxy:

    (Constellations; Firmaments; Heavens) Seeing oneself at the first celestial sphere in a dream means associating with a tyrant or a liar or befriending a mail carrier. The second celestial sphere represents the scribes of a king. The third celestial sphere represents a marriage to a woman from a noble lineage.

    The fourth celestial sphere represents leadership, prosperity and reverence. The fifth celestial sphere represents marriage to a most beautiful woman. Travelling in its orbit together with its stars in that galaxy in a dream means travelling to meet a ruler, a warrior, a pious man, or a perfect man.

    The sixth celestial sphere represents knowledge, blessings and steadfastness. The seventh celestial sphere represents the inner circles of a ruler. The eight celestial sphere represents the company of a great ruler.

    The ninth celestial sphere represents the company of a revered man. Seeing the tenth celestial sphere or the all-encompassing sphere in a dream means meeting the greatest ruler. Orbiting a celestial sphere or a galaxy or seeing them in a dream means rising in station and honor, attaining one’s goals, or increase in one’s power.

    If one sees the all-encompassing sphere in a dream, it means that he will meet the Almighty Lord, the Master of the universes, God Almighty Himself or become the intimate friend of the greatest ruler in the world. If one sees himself in a dream changing the order of stars, galaxies or constellations, it means being unjust or trying to obscure the truth. If a woman sees herself under the first celestial sphere in a dream, it means that she will marry someone from the ruling class.

    (Also see Constellations, Dog; Moon; Skies; Star)

  • Landscaping:
  • Land:
• world
  • Glitters:

    (Money; Sequins; World)

  • Land:
  • Landscaping:
• shoulder blades
  • Rear side:
  • Bosom:
  • Depilatory agent:

    Shaving one’s hair in a dream relates to one’s personal customs. If he is used to have short hair and sees himself shavinghis head in a dream, it means that he will pay a fine as an atonement. If he sees his head shaved in the summertime, and if he is used to doing so, it means benefits, comfort, or recovering from a migraine headache.

    If one sees his hair shaved during the winter in a dream, it means difficulties, adversities, penalties, or a sickness. Shaving one’s head in a dream also means paying one’s dues, appeasement of one’s fears, and success in one’s life. Shortening one’s hair in a dream also means appeasing his fears.

    If one is suffering from depression and he sees his head shaved in a dream, it means an end to his trouble, or payment of his debts. It also means abasement, disgrace, deception, or death. If a soldier sees his head shaved in a dream, it means that he will lose his strength and esteem.

    If one sees himself chipping his hair in bits in a dream, it means that he will lose people’s respect. Shaving one’s head in a dream for someone who does not usually shave it also may mean an affliction or an illness. If a woman sees her head shaved in a dream, it means divorce, or the death of her husband.

    If she sees her hair sheared in a dream, it means confinement to her house. If she sees her husband giving her a beautiful haircut and talking to her affectionately in a dream, it means spiritual growth, delivering a trust, or paying one’s debts. Trimming DICTIONARY OF DREAMS 383 women’s hair in a dream means inability to conceive children.

    Cutting one’s hair in a dream means losing one’s strength. Shaving half of one’s beard in a dream means losing one’s source of income and dignity. Plucking out one’s facial hair in a dream is worst than shaving it, and particularly when hair louses up one’s face or attractiveness.

    Nevertheless, plucking out one’s facial hair in a dream also could depict amelioration of one’s condition or look. Shaving one’s backside or abdomen in a dream means paying one’s debts. Shaving, clipping, or adjusting one’s moustache in a dream means lighteningone’s burdens, though it also could represent a mishap.

    If a rich person sees himself shaving his pubic hair or using a depilatory agent for that purpose in a dream, it means the loss of his wealth, or it could mean that he has overpaid for a property he has just purchased. If a poor person sees that, it means that he will become financially solvent. If one sees himself shaving it with a razor blade, it represents benefits from one’s spouse.

• upper arms
  • Member:
  • Wing:
  • Arm 1:

    (Forearm; Limb; Member; Wing) One’s two arms in a dream represent his two brothers, his two close friends, two sons or partners. If one sees a person with short arms in a dream, it means that he is courageous, generous and wondrous. One’s arm in a dream represent his brother and supporter or a spiritual example he follows.

    If one’s arm is broken in a dream, it means the death of one’s brother or closest friend, or it could mean an accident or a calamity. One’s arm in a dream also signifies protection from sin or it cold represent his wife, his mother, his teacher, wealth, craft, source of income, a supporting son or a close brother one can depend on at times of difficulties. If one sees that his arm is missing something in a dream, it could mean that he has little brain, though he is filled with pride and haughtiness.

    (Also see Air; Body'; Forearm)

• earth
  • Landscaping:
  • Land:
  • Locality:
• mass
  • Permanent residence:

    (Mole)

  • Tallow:

    (Grease; Lubrication; Money; Prosperity; Tallow) If one sees himself having a fat tail like that of a sheep in a dream, it means that his livelihood will depend on the revenues of his offspring. If one eats the fat of a permissible animal (sheep, cattle, etcetera) in a dream, it means profits or owning a sizeable business. If one eats the fat of a non-permissible animal (beats, vultures, etcetera) in a dream, it means earning unlawful money, committing adultery, rejecting one’s religion or fostering forbidden acts.

    Using fat as medicine in a dream means recovering from an illness. Fat in a dream also means joy, happiness or festivities. In general, fat in a dream also could be interpreted to mean clean money, or net profits from which nothing is wasted.

  • Outer:

    (Manifest)

• heaviness
  • Carrying someone:

    Carrying someone in a dream. If the weight is heavy on the carrier, it means trouble or harm caused by one’s neighbor. If a woman sees herself carrying a heavy load, such a load could represent her gluttonous husband.

    Carrying a load over one’s shoulders in a dream also represents one’s sins. A pregnancy in a dream means comfort for the baby but discomfort for the mother. Seeing oneself carrying bushes from the woods means backbiting, slandering and reporting lies.

  • Fat person:

    (Heavy weight) If one sees himself unusually fat in a dream, it means increase in his wealth and richness. If he is wearing a yellow gown in the dream, then his dream represents a light sickness that will not last. Being fat in a dream represents respect, honor, strong religious convictions, being a special person, or it could mean fame.

  • Measure 3:

    (Weight) In a dream, a measured weight represents guidance, knowl¬ edge, wisdom, a wife, profits, distress, trouble, or poverty.

• weight
  • Unit of weight:

    (Measure; Weight) In a dream, a unit of weight may signify distress or it could mean relief. A unit of weight in a dream also represents the elements that are measured or weighed with it. In a dream, a unit of weight also could represent one’s confidant or personal secretary.

    (Also see Half a bushel; Mea¬ sure 2 ; Weight)

  • Measure 3:

    (Weight) In a dream, a measured weight represents guidance, knowl¬ edge, wisdom, a wife, profits, distress, trouble, or poverty.

  • Tallow:

    (Grease; Lubrication; Money; Prosperity; Tallow) If one sees himself having a fat tail like that of a sheep in a dream, it means that his livelihood will depend on the revenues of his offspring. If one eats the fat of a permissible animal (sheep, cattle, etcetera) in a dream, it means profits or owning a sizeable business. If one eats the fat of a non-permissible animal (beats, vultures, etcetera) in a dream, it means earning unlawful money, committing adultery, rejecting one’s religion or fostering forbidden acts.

    Using fat as medicine in a dream means recovering from an illness. Fat in a dream also means joy, happiness or festivities. In general, fat in a dream also could be interpreted to mean clean money, or net profits from which nothing is wasted.

Practical Steps to Alleviate Stress Reflected in Your Dreams

• Acknowledge Your Feelings

  The first step in dealing with the overwhelming sensations reflected in your dreams is acknowledging your feelings. Whether you're facing stress from work, family expectations, or personal goals, it's crucial to recognize what burdens are prevalent in your life. Journaling about these feelings can offer clarity and help you identify specific sources of stress.

  Learning to articulate your burdens can be incredibly liberating and allows you to confront rather than avoid them.

• Seek Support from Loved Ones

  Don't hesitate to lean on family and friends for support. Sharing your experiences can lighten your emotional load and provide different perspectives on the challenges you face. Sometimes, just talking about what weighs heavily on your shoulders can relieve tension.

  Consider engaging in open conversations about your feelings and worries, reminding you that you don’t have to walk the path alone.

• Practice Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques

  Incorporate mindfulness practices into your daily routine: techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga can help alleviate the pressure you feel in both your dreams and waking life. These practices encourage a sense of presence and can simplify overwhelming thoughts. Start by setting aside just a few minutes each day to breathe deeply and focus on releasing the tension that accumulates.

  This small effort can yield significant emotional benefits and help you better manage stress.

• Establish Boundaries

  It’s vital to set boundaries regarding what you can handle. Sometimes, saying no to additional responsibilities or obligations can be a crucial step in managing stress. As you identify the sources of your burdens, practice the art of declining certain tasks or standing firm on your limits.

  Remember, your well-being should be a priority. Establishing clear boundaries helps maintain a healthy balance and leaves space for self-care.

• Reflect and Adjust Your Goals

  Take time to reflect on your current goals and aspirations. Are they realistic? Are they causing undue stress?

  It may be necessary to adjust your goals or break them into smaller, achievable tasks. This reflection process can help alleviate the feeling that you are carrying the weight of the world alone. By setting more manageable goals, you might find that the burdens you perceive become less daunting and more achievable.

FAQs

• What does it mean if I dream about carrying a heavy load?

  Dreaming about carrying a heavy load typically symbolizes feeling overwhelmed by responsibilities or stresses in your life. It indicates that you may be bearing more than you can handle, urging you to assess your current situation and seek support.

• Are dreams about burdens always negative?

  While dreams about burdens often reflect stress and anxiety, they can also serve as a catalyst for change. They highlight areas of your life requiring attention and can motivate you to take action toward finding balance.

• How can I reduce stress to prevent such dreams?

  To reduce stress, practice self-care, establish boundaries, and seek support from loved ones. Engaging in mindfulness techniques and addressing your stresses in daily life can also help alleviate the emotional burdens that manifest in your dreams.

• Can my dream of carrying the world affect my waking life?

  Yes, dreams often reflect our subconscious thoughts and feelings. If you frequently dream of carrying heavy burdens, it may indicate unresolved issues or stresses that need addressing in your waking life to achieve peace of mind.

• What can I do after having such dreams?

  After experiencing dreams about carrying heavy burdens, take time to reflect on your feelings. Consider journaling or discussing these dreams with someone you trust. Taking practical steps to manage stress and prioritize your emotional wellness is also beneficial.

References