Dream Symbol: House

Carl Jung's Interpretation:

In the realm of Carl Jung's psychoanalytic interpretations, a 'house' signifies the dreamer's self and psyche. The house, a common symbol in our dreams, serves as an emblem of the ego and personal identity, representing the dreamer's mind. The different rooms in the house may signify different aspects of the individual's personality, with the attic often symbolizing higher thinking and spirituality, the living room signifying daily interactions, and the basement typifying repressed emotions or primal instincts. If the house is in disarray, it may reflect turmoil within the dreamer's mind or life. A well-kept house might suggest an ordered mind and balanced psychological state. Jung also proposed that the condition of the house could represent the state of the dreamer’s health.

James Hillman's Interpretation:

According to James Hillman’s archetypal school of dream analysis, a house is not merely a symbol of the self or the ego. Rather, every door, window, room and corner of a house has attributes that can symbolize various aspects of the dreamer's soul. Hillman suggests that the image of a house in a dream is an in-depth view of the dreamer's 'soul geography', a map of internal landscapes and external influences. It's a soul-making perspective, wherein the house and its peculiar arrangements reveal the dreamer's relationship with his or her interiority, the distinct components of their psychic make-up, and relationships to the symbolic and literal ‘landscapes’ of their lives.

Classical Interpretation:

A house in dreams can symbolize security, comfort, and love. It's often associated with family ties and emotional bonds, as well as stability and problem-solving due to its association with shelter and protection against the elements.

Ancient Greek Interpretation:

In Greek mythology, a house could stand for structure and order, a social construct where a harmonious domestic life resides. It is a symbol of family importance and infers a sense of responsibility and duty.

Morphology:

A house symbolizes different facets of life depending on its appearance and state in the dream. A new house signifies new beginnings or phase in life; an old or dilapidated house might represent unresolved issues or neglected aspects of the dreamer's life. The size, color, and style of the house can reflect different emotional states and personal points of view. A large house can infer feelings of abundance or being overwhelmed whereas a small house may suggest intimacy or constraint.

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