The Multifaceted Symbolism of Curtains in Dreams

Dreams are a profound window into our subconscious, often revealing our innermost emotions and fears. One intriguing symbol that frequently appears in dreams is curtains. Curtains, as we commonly know, serve the purpose of covering and unveiling, offering a sense of privacy while also inviting light and visibility.

In various cultures, curtains take on rich meanings that transcend mere functionality. They can symbolize barriers, transitions, or gateways into new experiences. Exploring dream interpretations of curtains helps us understand how different cultures perceive this familiar object and how it relates to personal growth and societal values.

From the protective fabric shielding us from the outside world to the vibrant colors representing emotions, curtains can embody diverse meanings in the context of dreams. By identifying how these interpretations differ across cultures, we gain deeper insights into our own dreams and the messages they hold.

• Curtains in dreams can represent privacy, protection, and the veil between the known and the unknown.
• Different cultures attribute varied meanings to curtains, reflecting their societal values and beliefs.
• Understanding the context of curtains in your dreams can provide insights into personal and spiritual growth.

Symbols

• blinds
  • Spy glass:

    (Spy glass; Telescope) In a dream, binoculars represents a notable person or the person who is looking through them. Looking with binoculars from a distance in a dream means victory over one’s adversary, attainment of one’s goals, rising in rank, spying, or happiness. If a merchant looks through binoculars in a dream, it means sovereignty, prosperity, presiding over his fellow merchants and gaining power.

    Bird’s nest:

  • Telescope:

    (Spy glass; Telescope) In a dream, binoculars represents a notable person or the person who is looking through them. Looking with binoculars from a distance in a dream means victory over one’s adversary, attainment of one’s goals, rising in rank, spying, or happiness. If a merchant looks through binoculars in a dream, it means sovereignty, prosperity, presiding over his fellow merchants and gaining power.

    Bird’s nest:

  • Askance:

    Eyes in a dream represent one’s religion or wealth. If one sees grass growing all over him but does not cover his ears or eyes in a dream, it means prosperity. One’s eyes in a dream also represent his faith and the road to victory in this life and in the next.

    One’s eyes in a dream also could represent his guidance or his heedlessness. Having many eyes throughout one’s body in a dream represents one’s piety, vigilance and excellence of character. If one sees the eyes of his heart in a dream, it means that he sees with the light of clarity.

    If one sees a man looking at him with a side glance in a dream, it means that he will suffer from an adversity, mistrust, disapproval, suspicion and disdain at the hand of such a man. If such a man opens his eyes and looks at him straight forward in the dream, it means that he will help him in his business or support his interests. If one’s eyes turn into iron in a dream, it means distress, a scandal or serious suffering from one’s community.

    If one sees himself looking at women in his dream, it means that he commits adultery with his eyes by looking and desiring what is unlawful. If one looks at someone’s eyes in a dream and likes them, it means that he will suffer from an adversity, religious corruption or jealousy. If one sees himself having an extra eye inside his body in a dream, it means that he is an atheist.

    If one sees himself having an extra eye over his shoulder in a dream, it means that he will be named to receive money in absentia. If one sees his eyes transfixed in a dream, it means that he looks suspiciously at a relative or someone else’s wife. Black eyes in a dream represent a religious person.

    A bluish-black eyes in a dream denote opposing one’s religion. Blue eyes in a dream mean religious innovations. Green eyes in a dream mean a religion which is different from all religions.

    Sharp sight in a dream means blessings, while weak sight means joblessness and living from the generosity of others. If a father sees weakness in his sight in a dream, it means that a sickness will inflict his children. If one loses his eyes in a dream, it means the death of his children.

    If a poor person or a prisoner sees that in a dream, it means that he will never become free again, or see any light for the rest of his life. If an oppressed person sees weakness in his eyes in a dream, it means that someone will help him overcome his adversities. If a traveller sees that dream, it means that he will DICTIONARY OF DREAMS 149 never return to his homeland.

    If one sees that his eyes belong to an unknown person in a dream, it means that he will become blind. If he recognizes that person in the dream, it means that he will be married to his daughter. If one’s eyes fall into his lap in a dream, it means the death of his brother or son.

    The eyes of a human being in a dream also represent his beloved, his son or his faith. Any defect in them in the dream may reflect in such people. Having one hundred eyes in a dream means money.

    The eyes of a ruler represent his spies. Eyes in a dream also represent a controller, a man or a spring. Treating one’s eyes with medicinal ointment in a dream means correcting one’s religious life or begetting a son who will become the jewel light of his father’s eyes or if one’s brother is exiled or deported from his homeland, it means that he will solicit him and entrust him with duties toward his family.

    If one sees his sight better than what people think in the dream, it means that his inner character is better than what people think, or if he sees his sight weakened though people do not know about it in the dream, it means that he keeps his faith to himself. If one’s eyes become white in a dream, they represent sorrow, or loss of a beloved. If one sees his eyes white, and if the white veil is lifted in the dream, it means that he will be reunited with his beloved and his distress will be dispelled.

    The right eye in a dream represents one’s son and the left eye represents one’s daughter. If a father sees one of his eyes being transposed to mix with the other eye in a dream, and if he has a son and a daughter, he should separate their bedrooms. Eating someone’s eye in a dream means steeling his money.

    Seeing one’s eyes without eyelashes in a dream means defying God’s laws. If one unplugs his eyelashes in a dream, it means that he will expose himself to his enemy. Seeing beautiful eyes in a dream could denote, sorcery, black magic, life or death.

    Eyes in a dream also represent one’s family, relatives, children or workers. Eyes in a dream also signify mourning someone or they could denote a sickness. Smearing one’s eyes in a dream means calamities, sufferings and punishment for one’s sins.

    To guard one’s eyes from looking at what is unlawful in a dream means heeding God’s commands.

• different cultures
  • Colors of the face:

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  • Religion of Islam:

    (Religion of Islam; Surrender to God’s will; Submission) To see oneself as a Muslim, praising God Almighty, thanking Him, facing the Ka‘aba in one’s prayers, or to see oneself embracing Islam in a dream means straightening one’s life, or repentance from one’s sins. If one sees himself renewing his Islam in a dream, it means safety from plagues, sickness, or adversities. To proclaim the two testimonies: ‘There is no god other than Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah,” in one’s dream means relief from distress, or guidance after heedlessness.

    Saying these testimonies in a dream also may mean returning to one’s parents after having abandoned them. It also means returning to a place one has earlier deserted, or to using earlier criterions in one’s life. If a Muslim recites these proclamations in a dream, it means that he will testify to the truth in a court of justice, or become known for his truthfulness.

    (Also see Exalting God’s one¬ ness; Exclamation of God’s sovereignty; Imam; Meadow; mosque; Qur’an; Pil¬ grimage)

  • Councilmen:

    (Chancellors; Councilmen; Leaders; Seniors; Wise men) Seeing the elders of a community, the councilmen of a city, the chiefs of a clan or the shaikhs of a tribe in a dream means victory and glad tidings.

• drapes
  • Drapes:

    (Cover; Happiness; Fears; Veil) In a dream, drapes means veiling one’s private life. Drapes in a dream also represent a confidant or a trustworthy friend or a wife who covers the pitfalls of her husband, protects his business and guards him from looking at other women. If a man of knowledge sees such a dream, then drapes represent his integrity, his honorable wife and children.

    Unidentified drapes in a dream represent worries or distress. If the drapes are hanging over one’s front door in the dream, it means that such difficulties will come from the world. Old drapes in a dream represent adversities which will not last.

    Torn drapes in a dream mean happiness and joy. If they are torn vertically in the dream, they represent a quick joy. If they are torn horizontally in the dream, they mean slander against one’s family.

    Black drapes in a dream mean worries because of money, a child, or the authorities. White or green drapes mean good results. Drapes hanging over the door of a mosque in a dream represent spiritual problems or religious failure.

    Seeing drapes out of their place in a dream mean adversities, and seeing them hanging over one’s windows has no interpretation. In a dream, seeing drapes hanging over a strange environment means fears which will culminate in satisfaction. Drapes adorned with gold means hallu¬ cination or dispelling one’s worries.

    If an unmarried person sees drapes in his dream, it means that he will get married and protect his chastity, or it could mean a business that will shelter him from poverty. If a fugitive or a scared person sees himself covered with drapes in a dream, it means a shelter from what scares him. Falling through a hole while hanging to a drape in a dream means taking a long, frustrating, toiling and a distant journey.

    The bigger the drapes are in a dream, the more difficult is one’s adversity.

  • Canopy 1:

    (A canopy with drapes covering one’s bed; Mosquito net; Transparent hood) In a dream, the canopy that drapes over one’s bed represents a good woman or a well mannered man. In a dream, a canopy also may represent one’s wife, or it could mean affliction, grief, distress or darkness.

  • Attire:
• curtains
  • Philander:

    (Flirting; Love poems; Philander) Courting a woman or singing love songs to her or displaying amorous behavior for her in public in a dream represents someone who divulges people’s secrets.

  • Armistice:

    (Armistice; Cease fire; Cessation) Negotiating a truce, or witnessing one between two armies in a dream means cessation of fear, relaxing, recovering of a sick person from his illness, caring for the wounded, extending the chances of one’s survival, profits, business, marriage, rebuilding, doing good, or perform¬ ing one’s prayers. 4DU id's oniiiin.ii's o

  • Cease fire:

    (Armistice; Cease fire; Cessation) Negotiating a truce, or witnessing one between two armies in a dream means cessation of fear, relaxing, recovering of a sick person from his illness, caring for the wounded, extending the chances of one’s survival, profits, business, marriage, rebuilding, doing good, or perform¬ ing one’s prayers. 4DU id's oniiiin.ii's o

• diverse societies
  • Religion of Islam:

    (Religion of Islam; Surrender to God’s will; Submission) To see oneself as a Muslim, praising God Almighty, thanking Him, facing the Ka‘aba in one’s prayers, or to see oneself embracing Islam in a dream means straightening one’s life, or repentance from one’s sins. If one sees himself renewing his Islam in a dream, it means safety from plagues, sickness, or adversities. To proclaim the two testimonies: ‘There is no god other than Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah,” in one’s dream means relief from distress, or guidance after heedlessness.

    Saying these testimonies in a dream also may mean returning to one’s parents after having abandoned them. It also means returning to a place one has earlier deserted, or to using earlier criterions in one’s life. If a Muslim recites these proclamations in a dream, it means that he will testify to the truth in a court of justice, or become known for his truthfulness.

    (Also see Exalting God’s one¬ ness; Exclamation of God’s sovereignty; Imam; Meadow; mosque; Qur’an; Pil¬ grimage)

  • Luck:

    (Dwellings)

  • Plural marriage:

    (Multiple spouses; Plural marriage; Second wife) Having a second wife along with the first in one household in a dream means sickness, losses, harm, blindness, bad deeds, exposingone’s private life, divulgingone’s secrets, distress, dismay and sorrow.

• varied traditions
  • Ghusul:

    (Ablution; Ghusul: Ritual ablution; Wash) A ritual bath ( arb. Ghusul. Islamic Law) is customarily performed on a festival day, or before the Friday congregational prayers, before starting a pilgrimage, after recovering from an illness, or is necessitated by the emission of sperms either during one’s sleep or following a marital intercourse.

    A ritual ablution is also given to a deceased person before his funeral and burial, or otherwise is taken by the undertaker himself after washing the dead. To take a ritual ablution in a dream before the Friday congregational prayers means purifying oneself, washing oneself from sin, repenting from sin, serving one’s parents, or being true to one’s friends. Taking a ritual ablution for any of the above reason during the wintertime and using cold water in the dream means distress, trouble or a sickness.

    If hot water is used, then it means profits, benefits and recovering from sickness. Taking a ritual ablution in a dream before attending a festival means getting married. Taking a ritual ablution after seeing either a solar or a lunar eclipses in a dream means an adversity, and the same applies if one takes a ritual ablution in a dream before the prayers of asking for rain.

    To take a ritual ablution after washing a deceased person in a dream means abandoning one’s association with heedless people. If the person who performs such an ablution is mentally DICTIONARY OF DREAMS 363 deranged, it means that he will wake-up cured from his condition. Taking a ritual ablution prior to joining the sacred pilgrimage in a dream means happiness, success, victory over one’s enemy, paying one’s debts, or reuniting with one’s beloveds.

    Taking a ritual ablution before circumambulating the sacred House in Mecca in a dream means working for one’s livelihood, serving rich people, or caring for one’s wife and parents. If a sick person sees himself taking a ritual ablution then putting on a new garment in a dream, it means that he will soon recover from his illness. Taking a ritual ablution in a dream also could mean the release of a prisoner, payment of one's debts, dispelling one’s distress, or it could mean richness, prosperity, attending the sacred pilgrimage in Mecca, or having a successful business.

    If one does not put a new garment after taking his ritual ablution in the dream, it means that he will be able to lighten his burdens, or recover his good health. Walking into a pond, or descending a well, or stepping into a bathtub to take a bath in a dream means marriage. Washing oneself with soap during such an ablution means dispensing of one’s debts, or dispelling one’s stress.

    Washing one’s garment after taking a Ghusul in a dream means correcting one’s conduct, pursuing the correct religious life, paying one’s debts, or washing away one’s filth. If one sees a deceased person washing himself before his burial in a dream, it means relief for one’s dependents and increase of their wealth after him. Giving a ritual ablution to a deceased person in a dream also means that someone will repent for his sins at the hand of the undertaker.

    If a deceased person asks someone to wash his clothes for him in a dream, it means that he needs someone to pray for him, or to intercede on his behalf before his Lord, or to pay charity for the benefit of his soul, or to pay his debts, or to fulfill his will, or to do him justice. If one does fulfills the deceased person’s wish and washes his clothes for him in the dream, it means the redemption of such a person.

  • Bible:

    Reciting the Torah but not recognizing what it is in a dream means that DICTIONARY OF DREAMS 443 one may become a fatalist. To own a copy of the Torah for a king or ruler in a dream means that he will conquer a land or make peace with its people on his terms. If he is learned in real life, it means that either his knowledge will increase or that he will invent what is not ordained, or he may tend to lean toward jovial company.

    Seeing the Torah in a dream also means finding what is lost, welcoming a long awaited traveller, or it could represent someone who follows the Jewish faith. As for an unmarried person, owning a Torah in a dream means getting married to a woman from a different religion, or it could mean marrying a woman without her parents’ consent. Seeing the Torah in a dream also may mean extensive travels.

    If one’s wife is pregnant, it means that she will bear a child who resembles his father. If one’s wife is pregnant, and if he sees himself holding the Torah in a dream, it means that she will beget a daughter, for the gender of the word Torah is feminine. It also means that he will mix with evil companions.

    Similar interpretations are given to carrying other scriptures. To see the Torah, or the Evangel, or the Gospel in a dream is as though one has seen God’s Prophet Muhammad, upon whom be peace, because his name (uwbp) is mentioned in all three of them. It could also mean betrayal, negating a covenant, or desiring what is shoddy.

  • Eid:

    (arb. Celebration; Festival. See Five times prayers)

Practical Insights for Interpreting Your Curtain Dreams

• Reflect on Your Emotional State

  When you dream of curtains, ask yourself what emotions you were experiencing during the dream. Are the curtains drawn tightly, suggesting a sense of confinement or protection? Alternatively, are they billowing open, signifying a release or new opportunities?

  Understanding your emotional context can enhance your dream interpretation.

• Consider Cultural Meanings

  Research the cultural interpretations of curtains in different traditions. For example, in some Eastern cultures, curtains symbolize modesty and the importance of privacy in personal matters. In contrast, Western cultures might explore themes of exposure and liberation.

  This comparative perspective can help you relate your dream to your own cultural background.

• Use Journaling for Clarity

  After waking, jot down your dream details immediately. Include what the curtains looked like, their colors, and your feelings associated with them. This practice helps you recognize recurring themes or symbols in your dreams and how they relate to your waking life.

• Seek Guidance from Trusted Sources

  Engage with friends, family, or a spiritual advisor to share your dream insights. Sometimes, external perspectives can shine a light on meanings we may not see ourselves. They can provide different angles based on their own experiences and cultural backgrounds, enriching your interpretation.

• Meditate on Your Dream

  Consider incorporating meditation into your routine, focusing on the dream symbols, particularly the curtains. Meditation can help you connect with your inner self and uncover deeper meanings of your dreams. By quieting the mind, you allow space for clarity and insight to emerge.

FAQs

• What do curtains represent in dreams?

  Curtains in dreams often symbolize privacy, protection, or the boundary between known and unknown aspects of life. They can signify the desire to shield oneself from external influences or the need for introspection.

• Why do I dream about different colored curtains?

  Color can significantly alter the meaning behind curtains in dreams. Different colors may evoke various emotions or signify specific themes, such as blue for tranquility, red for passion, or green for growth. Reflecting on your feelings toward the colors in the dream is essential for a more accurate interpretation.

• How do cultural differences influence the interpretation of curtains in dreams?

  Cultural perspectives on curtains can greatly affect their dream interpretations. In some cultures, curtains symbolize modesty and respect for privacy, while others may focus on themes of liberation and exposure. Understanding these nuances enhances the richness of your dream analysis.

• Can dreaming about curtains indicate personal growth?

  Yes, dreaming of curtains can indeed symbolize personal growth. If the curtains appear to be opening, it may represent new opportunities or an upsurge in self-awareness. Conversely, drawn curtains might reflect a need to shield oneself during periods of transition.

• What should I do if I have a recurring dream about curtains?

  Recurring dreams often signify unresolved feelings or concerns. Pay attention to the context and details of these dreams, as they may reflect ongoing issues in your life. Exploring these feelings through journaling or seeking professional guidance can help address and resolve the underlying emotions.

References