Dream Symbol: Mountain
Carl Jung's Interpretation:
From Jungian point of view, a mountain symbolizes a high level of consciousness and a quest for spiritual enlightenment. The mountain, in its grandeur and isolation, represents the ultimate goal of individuation, that is, becoming a uniquely whole individual distinct from societal and collective norms. As scaling a mountain tends to reflect the Herculean effort one puts into overcoming their personal obstacles and reaching the pinnacle of self-discovery and realization. Just as a climber encounters varying terrains, the dreamer may be processing different layers of their psyche - conscious and unconscious.
James Hillman's Interpretation:
James Hillman, an imaginative psychologist, would likely interpret the mountain as an embodying symbol of the vertical dimension of depth psychology. It signifies an upward journey into the realm of the abstract, the spiritual or the divine. Hillman would advocate the dreamer to see the mountain beyond its physical specifications of height and ruggedness, but to become its mythical and poetic implications - it is as much a challenge of life as it is a point of cosmic connection, between the depths of earth and the heights of sky.
Classical Interpretation:
Conventionally, mountains in dreams symbolize obstacles, challenges, loftiness, ambition, and spiritual progress. They can denote a journey towards self-discovery or a struggle in one's life.
Ancient Greek Interpretation:
In ancient Greek mythology, mountains were often depicted as the abodes of gods and goddesses, a place of divine revelation, communication, and prophecy. The symbol here suggests a connection between the earthly and divine.
Morphology:
Mountains, by their morphological appearance, often represent something hard to conquer and difficult to bypass. They are mass of land standing tall above the surrounding terrain, symbolising a rise from the ground level consciousness to a higher one.
Similar Symbols
- hill
- peak
- cliff
- rugged terrain
Opposite Symbols
- valley
- plain
- river
- basin
Curious what your dreams mean? Explore other Dream Symbols