The Significance of Curtains in Dreams: A Deeper Look

Dreams often serve as windows into our psyche, revealing our hidden fears, desires, and emotions. One common symbol found in dreams is that of curtains and the associated imagery of illusions. Curtains can represent layers of one's life, shielding our innermost feelings and secrets from the outside world.

They often signify a barrier between reality and illusion, prompting us to examine what is true versus what is merely a facade. In various cultures, including the rich Islamic tradition of dream interpretation as established by Ibni Sirin, curtains convey essential messages about protection, privacy, and the unveiling of truths. This symbology can reflect personal circumstances; thus, understanding these dreams can empower us to confront our emotions and clarify our thoughts.

In this exploration, we will delve into the meanings of dreams involving curtains and illusions while equipping you with practical insights for personal discovery.

• Curtains symbolize concealment, protection, and hidden aspects of one's life.
• Dreams of curtains can reflect emotional states and personal secrets.
• Illusions in dreams might indicate misperceptions or desires for clarity and truth.

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.

• mirages
  • Mirage:

    (Phantom; Spook) In a dream, a mirage represents falsehood, or some¬ thing that will not take effect. If one desires something, then sees a mirage in his dream, it means that his desire is impossible to attain, or that he will be deprived from attaining it. A mirage in a dream also represents hypocrisy and ingratitude, disbelief in God’s oneness and love to amass the world and to indulge in its pleasures.

    A mirage in a dream also may denote false hopes, or unattainable goals. If one is summoned by the court to testify in a case, and if he sees a mirage in his dream, it also means that he will give a false statement. A mirage in a dream also represents a story that has no basis, or deception and DICTIONARY OF DREAMS 281 lies that are reported as if they were true.

  • Spook:

    DICTIONARY OF DREAMS 407

  • Mountain trails:

    (Canyons) In a dream, deep valleys, or mountain trails represent deception, betrayal, perfidy and trickery.

• 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

• illusions
  • Magician:

    (Illusion) In a dream, a magician represents a seducer. If he uses an apple in his illusion in the dream, it means that he will seduce his own son. If he uses a butterfly in his performance in the dream, it means that he will rape his own wife.

  • Tricks:

    (Conjuring; Jugglery; Magic arts) In a dream, tricks represent deceit, chicanry, pride, artificiality, or temptation.

  • Mirage:

    (Phantom; Spook) In a dream, a mirage represents falsehood, or some¬ thing that will not take effect. If one desires something, then sees a mirage in his dream, it means that his desire is impossible to attain, or that he will be deprived from attaining it. A mirage in a dream also represents hypocrisy and ingratitude, disbelief in God’s oneness and love to amass the world and to indulge in its pleasures.

    A mirage in a dream also may denote false hopes, or unattainable goals. If one is summoned by the court to testify in a case, and if he sees a mirage in his dream, it also means that he will give a false statement. A mirage in a dream also represents a story that has no basis, or deception and DICTIONARY OF DREAMS 281 lies that are reported as if they were true.

• deceptions
  • Shark 1:

    (Deceiver. See Con artist)

  • Betrayal:

    (Deception; Double-cross; Milk; Misleading; Renegade; Trickery; War) In a dream, betrayal of others mean shortcomings or religious disdain and failure in one’s life in this world. Betrayal in a dream also means a robbery or being in dire need of the victim.

  • Misleading:

    (Betrayal; Deception; Milk; Swindle; Trickery; War) If one sees that someone is misleading him or tricking him in a dream, it means that God Almighty will grant him victory over his enemy. The deceiver in the dream will be the loser, and the misled person in the dream represents the real winner.

Insights for Navigating Curtain Dreams

• Reflect on Your Emotions

  When you dream of curtains, take a moment to consider the emotions you felt during the dream. Were you anxious, calm, or curious? Your feelings can provide significant insights into what the curtains represent in your waking life.

  For instance, if the curtains were drawn tightly, this might signify feelings of isolation or concealment. On the other hand, if they were open and welcoming, it could indicate a desire for openness and connection. Journaling your thoughts upon waking can help you capture these fleeting feelings and clarify their meanings over time, allowing you to recognize patterns in your dreams.

• Consider Current Life Events

  Evaluate recent changes or situations in your life that might connect with the theme of curtains in your dreams. Are you experiencing a period of change or uncertainty that may lead you to hide your emotions? Perhaps you are facing decisions requiring you to choose between keeping things concealed or sharing more of yourself with others.

  Recognizing these connections can empower you to understand the messages of your dreams better and to act with intention. Discussing these insights with friends or family can also provide a broader perspective, allowing you to navigate your feelings effectively.

• Embrace Truth and Clarity

  Dreams that involve illusions often prompt reflection on what might be obscured in your life. Take this opportunity to seek clarity where there may be confusion. This could involve addressing misunderstandings in relationships or confronting areas of your life where you feel uncertain.

  Engaging in mindfulness practices, such as meditation or quiet contemplation, can help you bring awareness to your inner thoughts. Seeking guidance from a trusted friend or counselor can also be beneficial to uncover deeper truths and clarify your path forward.

FAQs

• What do curtains symbolize in dreams?

  Curtains in dreams typically symbolize concealment and privacy. They can represent barriers we put up to shield our inner selves from the outside world. When curtains appear in dreams, they may prompt you to consider what parts of your life you keep hidden or guarded, or they might suggest a need for protection from external scrutiny.

• What does it mean to dream of drawn or closed curtains?

  Dreaming of drawn or closed curtains can indicate feelings of isolation or a desire for privacy. It may suggest that something in your life is being hidden, whether it's a secret, an emotion, or a situation that you are not yet ready to confront. This type of dream can encourage you to evaluate what you might need to reveal or what fears are holding you back.

• How can dreams of illusions impact my waking life?

  Dreams of illusions often serve as a call to examine reality versus perception. They may urge you to differentiate between what is real and what you wish were true. This can be particularly important in relationships or professional situations where misunderstandings may arise. By reflecting on the messages from these dreams, you can navigate your waking life with greater awareness and insight.

• Why do I often dream about uncovering curtains?

  Dreaming about uncovering or opening curtains may signify a desire for truth and clarity in your life. It can reflect a willingness to confront fears or unveil hidden aspects of your personality. This dream often indicates a readiness to face what may have been concealed, whether from yourself or others, encouraging personal growth and understanding.

• Are dreams about curtains common?

  Yes, dreams about curtains are relatively common and can manifest in various ways depending on personal experiences and emotions. They often reflect the dreamer's current life situations, emotional states, and desires for privacy or openness. Recognizing the specific context of the dream can enhance understanding and insight.

References

• Ibni Sirin, 'Dream Interpretation'
• The Book of Dreams: An Islamic Perspective
• Understanding the Symbolism of Everyday Objects in Dreams