If you’re human, you dream. You could dream of falling or of losing your teeth. You may dream of long-lost relatives or of babies who have yet to be born. Or, in some cases, you may dream of being murdered.
What does it mean if you dream of being murdered? Is it a sign of things to come? Does it mean that you should sleep with one eye open? Here’s what dream interpreters (and psychologists) say about dreams of being murdered.
The Meaning of Dreams
According to psychologists, dreams have meaning. And according to simple science, dreams have a function. The function of a dream is to process the events which have occurred throughout the day.
Dreams sometimes are your mind’s way of dealing with problems in life that you can’t consciously process. Trouble at work? Issues at home? Your dreams can help you to consolidate information. You may or may not come up with a solution in your sleep, but you’ll likely be able to think more clearly in the morning.
It was initially thought by Sigmund Freud that dreams were a way to preserve sleep. That is to say, as long as you were dreaming, you’d not wake up. Therefore, you’d get the sleep you need. It’s now thought that dreams are something else entirely. We dream 5 to 6 times each night. Some we’ll remember and some we’ll forget.
Does every dream have a meaning? Nope. Of course not. When you dream about a field full of butterflies and flowers, that isn’t necessarily your mind’s way of processing information. It’s just a dream, nothing more.
But sometimes dreams do have meaning, although the meaning may not be obvious. So what do dreams about death and dying mean? What does it mean when you dream you’re murdered?
Dreams of Being Murdered
Murder is actually a quite common theme in dreams. But dreams of being murdered don’t usually signify an end to your life.
Have you ever had a tarot reading? If so, you’re likely familiar with the Death card. In tarot, pulling the Death card does not mean that you’re going to die. Instead, the card signifies the end of something. Whether that “something” is a positive or a negative change, it does mean that change is coming.
It’s the same way with dreams. If you dream of death, it usually is symbolic of a big change in your life. If you dream of killing someone, your mind is telling you that you’re taking steps to end a phase in your life. It doesn’t mean that you’re a killer!
Similarly, if you dream of being murdered, there’s probably something that you subconsciously feel is changing in your situation. However, dreams of being murdered usually indicate a loss of control. Is your boss firing you? Is your spouse leaving you? If you dream of being murdered, it’s usually not you who’s initiating the change.
Murders in Dreams: What Do They Mean?
People who dream of being murdered often feel angry. This anger may be directed at a person, a situation or an event. Even the most gentle, kind person may dream of being murdered. Those people fear a loss of control. They’re not usually prone to anger, but dreams of being murdered may signify a loss of temper.
Dreams of murder can also be a sign of depression. They can mean that your psyche wants to ensure that you feel or think the same way again. Or they may mean that you’re gathering courage to stand up to something you don’t like.
If you dream of being murdered, you may feel very afraid of failure. A dislike for your addictions or cravings may manifest as dreams of being murdered. Or you may feel that someone else has caused a negative change in your life.
There are dozens of ways to interpret dreams of being murdered. But as you can see, no two are the same. Your individual life circumstances and your personal battles will determine what it means when you have these dreams.
Premonition of Murder in Dreams
Throughout history, it’s been said that dreams can, in fact, serve as premonitions. Maybe you’ve dreamt that your sister was coming to visit, only to hear her ringing your doorbell the next day. Did you dream that your co-worker was in a car accident, to wake and find that it was true?
Some believe that dreams can be premonitions. That what you dream may come true. In that case, dreaming of being murdered can be quite scary.
If you dream that you’re killed, don’t worry. It’s very rare for those dreams to actually come true. Or, at least, few have lived to tell of their dreams. The more spiritual types will say that a dream is your body’s way of preparing your mind for things they can’t handle. But this is only believable if you think that our minds can predict the future.
It’s unlikely that if you have dreams of being murdered, you’ll actually be murdered. But dreams do serve a purpose, and if your dreams are affecting you emotionally, it may be best to speak to a professional.
Other Dreams of Death
You may dream of being murdered. But there are other dreams which can be scary. Here are a few of them, and what the professionals think they mean.
- Dreams of drowning can mean that you’re struggling in a relationship with someone else. You feel overwhelmed, and “in over your head.” Chances are you want the relationship to improve.
- Dreams of falling may or may not result in a crash landing. But if you dream of falling, you likely feel out of control, and as if your life goals are out of reach.
- Dreams of being chased can mean that you’re avoiding something in your life. Or, these dreams could mean that you’re running away from yourself. Evaluate your life to determine what you may be avoiding.
- Nightmares take a number of forms. You may have nightmares about anything from eviction to the death of a loved one. Generally speaking, your nightmares are bringing to light the things which you’re afraid to face in reality.