Archetypical Dream Symbols Are Unique to Each Dreamer Says Dream Analyst David Rivinus

Carl Jung wrote extensively about archetypes and archetypical dream symbols. His idea was that there are certain symbolic ideas expressed in dreams that are common to all humanity. Dream analyst, David Rivinus, agrees, but says that archetypes are individualized in dreams and are unique to the dreamer. “One of the Jungian archetypes is the creator,” he says. “But the image of a creator can appear in a dream in many guises.” 

Rivinus gives two examples. The first is the dream symbol of a sculptor molding a human figure in clay. “You might get a feeling of constructive creativity with concentration and artistry,” he explains. If an image like that were to appear in a dream, it might conjure up a sense of beneficial ideas or projects being pursued by the dreamer. 

A different kind of dream image might be of a ringleader, huddled with his gang, planning mischief. “This, too, is the image of the creator-archetype in action,” explains Rivinus. As with the sculptor, there is something being made. “But what this fellow is making is counterproductive.” If an image like this were to appear in a dream, it might be a warning to the dreamer to beware of his own motivations and plans. 

Rivinus says that even with archetypes it is vitally important to consider the symbol in the context in which it appears. “So many books and approaches to dreams try to generalize the symbolism,” he says. According to Rivinus, this rarely works. “Dreams are amazingly specific in their communications, and it is often in the details that the real message is sent to the dreamer.” 

Rivinus is careful to consider the minutiae of dream images along with the more obvious, dramatic symbols. In the example of the sculptor given above, something as innocuous-seeming as the color or shape of his hat could have important significance. “We have the expression: What hat are you wearing today, meaning what role are you playing in life at the moment?” It would be easy to overlook a detail like that, but if Rivinus is correct, then it would be an important part of the overall message. 

David Rivinus is a dream analyst with several decades of international experience. He is the author of the book “Always Dreaming” available on Amazon. For more information, visit www.teacherofdreams.com.