dreamDictionary.alsoKnownAs: approach, onslaught, assail, assault, blast
In dreams, the presence of weapons often signifies honor and security, suggesting a state of preparedness or capability.
In dreams, the presence of weapons often signifies honor and security, suggesting a state of preparedness or capability. However, if one dreams of losing or breaking these weapons, it indicates damage or vulnerability. This aligns with the idea that the ability to defend oneself or one's status is being compromised. This meaning stems from the idea that being armed provided a basic feeling of safety.
dictionary.source: *Somniale Danielis* (medieval book)
Dreaming of encountering enemies highlights potential conflict or challenges in waking life. The severity of the dream often mirrors the perceived threat. Receiving or gathering flowers, while seemingly positive, serves as a warning to beware of enemies, implying deception or hidden dangers. This means that people should stay prepared at all times for the worst.
dictionary.source: *Somniale Danielis* (medieval book)
The context surrounding an attack can significantly alter its meaning. For example, hearing animals speak in a dream signifies enemies running away. This indicates that while threats may exist, they are ultimately overcome or neutralized. It means the good will prevail.
dictionary.source: *Somniale Danielis* (medieval book)
Dreams involving attacks often carry symbolic weight related to life changes, challenges, or spiritual growth. The nature of the attack, the animal involved, and the dreamer's reaction are all important factors. These interpretations often serve as omens of future events, providing guidance or warnings. The overall principle suggests that apparent negativity in a dream can signify a positive transformation.
dictionary.source: Babylonian Talmud (Bavli)
An attack in a dream can sometimes signal spiritual or intellectual development. If an ox gores someone in a dream, it signifies sons who will contend in Torah study. This signifies a family enriched by lively and passionate debates on matters of faith and wisdom. The conflict in Torah is seen as positive and beneficial, leading to deeper understanding and spiritual growth.
dictionary.source: Babylonian Talmud (Bavli)
Certain attacks in a dream can indicate hardship or trials. If an ox bites a person in a dream, it indicates that sufferings will come upon them. This suggests impending difficulties and challenges that must be faced with resilience. This contrasts with the spiritual growth associated with being gored by an ox, highlighting that not all "attacks" in dreams are negative.
dictionary.source: Babylonian Talmud (Bavli)
The specific circumstances of an attack dream greatly affect its meaning. If an ox kicks someone in a dream, it indicates a long journey ahead. Conversely, a serpent bite in a dream indicates an increase in livelihood. The location and details of the dream influence the symbolic interpretation and the specific message being conveyed to the dreamer.
dictionary.source: Babylonian Talmud (Bavli)
(via “assailed/overwhelmed; bitten/stung; eaten) In a dream, an **attack by animals or birds** represents death-omen in medical prognosis, or—depending on the creature—can also presage cure/bliss for a healthy person. (Sushruta Saṃhitā, Sūtrasthāna 29). Seeing oneself **“assailed and overwhelmed by a pack of crows”** in a dream means one is “already a doomed being.” [S1] If one dreams of **“being eaten up by fish,”** it likewise portends impending death. [S1] “A dream of having been **bit or stung by a serpent, by leeches, or by a bee** indicates **bliss or cure** (if healthy) or cure (if diseased).” [S1]
dictionary.source: **Sushruta Saṃhitā** Block label: **<DIRECT ATTESTATION>** <End block> <Start block> **Attack** (explicit wording; disease “attack” triggered hostile scene) In a , being **“dragged dogs”** is followed **“an attack most severe type fever”** death (medical prognosis). (Cāaraka Saṃhitā, Indriyasthāna 5). If one a **“drinks intoxicants with shades (ghosts)”** or **“is dragged dogs,”** he “**dies getting an attack most severe type fever**.” [S2] Dream Interpreter: **Cāaraka Saṃhitā** Block label: **<DIRECT ATTESTATION>** <End block> <Start block> **Battle / Victory over Enemies** (combat as attack-motif) In a , **“victory over enemies”** **“success … battle”** are **auspicious** omens. (Agni Purāṇa, “Svapna-adhyāya”). Seeing **“victory over enemies, … dice-play battle”** is commendable/beneficial. [S3] Dream Interpreter: **Agni Purāṇa** Block label: **<DIRECT ATTESTATION>** <End block>
3) Evidence Catalog [S1] Sushruta—Sushruta Saṃhitā, Sūtrasthāna 29 (“Auspicious and inauspicious dreams”). Eng. tr. K. K. Bhishagratna, 1907–1916; online ed. Wisdomlib (2018). Lines incl. §105–121. URL: wisdomlib chapter page; corroborating page on Wikisource Vol.1 p.384. Wisdom Library+1 Quote: “as being carried away… or assailed and overwhelmed by a pack of crows, is already a doomed being.” Notes: Medical-prognostic context; same chapter also lists “being eaten up by fish” as fatal omen; later line: “bit or stung by a serpent… indicates bliss or cure (according as one is healthy or diseased).” Tag: DIRECT [S2] Cāaraka—Cāaraka Saṃhitā, Indriyasthāna 5 (Purvarūpīyam / prognosis from premonitory signs). Authoritative online English at Wisdomlib (after P.V. Sharma et al.) “Prognosis from premonitory symptoms (purvarupa).” (2021). URL: wisdomlib Charaka Indriya 5 page. Wisdom Library Quote: “He who drinks… with shades or is dragged by dogs, dies getting an attack of the most severe type of fever.” Notes: Explicit use of English “attack” (disease sense) tied to a hostile dream scene; follows Charaka’s medical ariṣṭa-lakṣaṇa structure. Tag: DIRECT [S3] Agni Purāṇa—Ch. 229 “The significance of Dreams (svapna-adhyāya).” Eng. tr. N. Gangadharan (Motilal); online text at Wisdomlib (2021). Wisdom Library Quote: “victory over the enemies, success in dispute, dice-play and battle… are commendable.” Notes: Purāṇic dream chapter giving auspicious/inauspicious lists; here combat/attack motif yields positive prognosis. Tag: DIRECT 4) Sources (full citations) Sushruta Saṃhitā, Sūtrasthāna 29 (“Auspicious and inauspicious dreams”). Eng. trans. Kaviraj Kunja Lal Bhishagratna, An English Translation of the Sushruta Samhita (Calcutta: 1907–1916). Online text: “Auspicious and inauspicious dreams [Chapter XXIX],” Wisdomlib (updated Feb. 16, 2018). Also corroborated at Wikisource, Sushruta Samhita Vol. 1, p. 384. Wisdom Library+1 Cāaraka Saṃhitā, Indriyasthāna 5 (Purvarūpīyam). “Prognosis from premonitory symptoms (purvarupa).” English presentation at Wisdomlib (Oct. 30, 2021); based on standard scholarly translations (e.g., P.V. Sharma, Chaukhambha). Passage includes: “dragged by dogs… dies getting an attack of the most severe type of fever.” Wisdom Library Agni Purāṇa, Chapter 229 “The significance of Dreams (svapna-adhyāya).” Eng. tr. N. Gangadharan (Motilal Banarsidass). Online text at Wisdomlib (Nov. 14, 2021). Wisdom Library Notes on scope control: All attestations above are from canonical Hindu sources or authoritative medical classics within the Hindu tradition, and every interpretation is tied to explicit passages mentioning attack-like conditions (assailed, bitten/stung/eaten; enemies/battle; explicit “attack” of fever) in the context of dreams. No cross-tradition material has been included.
An attack in a dream, in general terms, can represent the dreamer’s potential for victory over adversaries in waking life. However, the interpretation is complex and can also signify inner turmoil. Specifically, such a dream could point to disturbance, anxiety, mental conflict, or even self-doubt. Alternatively, it can symbolize regret and repentance, leading to a change in direction or a course correction.
dictionary.source: *Ibn Seerin’s Dictionary Dreams* (Al-Akili, ed./trans.)
Dreaming of an intense or direct attack, especially by a specific entity, often carries a more negative connotation. For instance, if a ram *(kabsh)* attacks someone in a dream, it signifies an attack by one's enemy in waking life. The animal attack is a clear omen of hostile actions directed towards the dreamer. This type of dream can also suggest unresolved conflicts or potential dangers.
dictionary.source: *Ibn Seerin’s Dictionary Dreams* (Al-Akili, ed./trans.)
The specific context of the attack in the dream influences the interpretation. "Charging against one's enemy in a dream" offers contrasting interpretations. It could mean victory. Conversely, it may also signify internal struggles: disturbance, doubt, regret, and the need for repentance *(tawba)*. Therefore, the emotions and actions within the dream are vital for understanding its significance.
dictionary.source: *Ibn Seerin’s Dictionary Dreams* (Al-Akili, ed./trans.)
Dreaming of an attack signifies various potential outcomes depending on the nature of the aggressor and the dreamer's state. In Hindu tradition, the symbolism of attack is closely tied to medical prognosis and overall well-being. A dream where one faces an attack from animals or birds can either foretell death or, conversely, indicate healing and joy, particularly if the dreamer is healthy. The specific creature involved significantly influences the interpretation, highlighting the importance of detailed recall.
dictionary.source: Sushruta Saṃhitā
Dreams featuring intense attacks generally portend negative outcomes, particularly in a medical context. For instance, being "assailed and overwhelmed by a pack of crows" in a dream is a grave omen, signifying impending doom. Similarly, a dream where one is "being eaten up by fish" carries a fatal prognosis. These interpretations emphasize the power of dreams to foreshadow physical ailments and mortality, reflecting a deep connection between the spiritual and physical realms.
dictionary.source: Sushruta Saṃhitā
Not all dream attacks are negative; some can herald healing and prosperity. Dreaming of "being bit or stung by a serpent, by leeches, or by a bee" indicates a positive shift towards "bliss or cure," particularly for someone who is already healthy. This suggests that facing minor adversities in dreams can symbolize overcoming real-life challenges and achieving well-being. Even if the dreamer is diseased, this type of attack represents a path to recovery.
dictionary.source: Sushruta Saṃhitā
The specific context of an attack in a dream greatly influences its interpretation. For example, being "dragged by dogs" in a dream is considered a dire omen, foretelling "an attack of the most severe type of fever" and eventual death. Drinking intoxicants with ghosts in a dream carries a similar fate: suffering a deadly fever attack. However, dreaming of "victory over the enemies" and success in battle are auspicious signs, signifying positive outcomes and triumphs in waking life. This duality reveals that attack imagery can represent both internal struggles and external victories, depending on the dream's narrative.
dictionary.source: Cāaraka Saṃhitā Agni Purāṇa
Dreams involving attack or conflict generally signify a future imbalance or impending adversity, rather than immediate personal harm. This often points to disharmony in the broader social or cosmic order, indicating potential challenges or disruptions ahead. The appearance of fighting animals, for example, can represent future issues stemming from imbalance, such as thunder without rain, symbolizing unfulfilled promises or potential but unrealized threats. Ultimately, these dreams serve as warnings and opportunities for proactive solutions in the face of challenges.
dictionary.source: Mahāsupina Jātaka (Jātaka No. 77)
If one dreams of animals preparing to fight but not actually engaging in combat, it foretells potential threats that ultimately fail to materialize. This can signify a future period of decline or instability, but without immediate and devastating consequences. This lack of actual fighting suggests a period where threats loom but do not fully manifest, sparing the dreamer direct harm. It represents a time where adversity is anticipated, but ultimately avoided.
dictionary.source: Mahāsupina Jātaka (Jātaka No. 77)
Experiencing "harms" (adverse conditions) within a dream signifies the presence of remaining karmic obstacles needing resolution. The dreamer should recognize the need for remedial spiritual practice and ethical improvement to overcome these hindrances. This aligns with the recognition of past actions and their consequences that still affect the dreamer's spiritual progress. Focusing on ethical behavior and devotion is prescribed as a means to alleviate these burdens and progress on the spiritual path.
dictionary.source: The Teaching on Dreams (Āryasvapnanirdeśa, Toh 48)
If a bodhisattva dreams of experiencing many harms, it indicates they are on the first bhūmi, signifying the beginning stage of their spiritual journey. The obstacles and adversity experienced in the dream confirm the dreamer's progress and highlight the need for continued diligence in overcoming remaining challenges. The intensity of these experiences correlates with the bodhisattva's advancement, demonstrating the challenges involved in reaching higher spiritual levels. Recognizing the meaning behind these adversities can strengthen resolve and pave the path to enlightenment.
dictionary.source: The Teaching on Dreams (Āryasvapnanirdeśa, Toh 48)
Dreams of attack, whether being struck or fighting, often represent a shift in power dynamics and support systems. Being attacked symbolizes receiving strength or assistance from others, suggesting an unexpected influx of resources or help. This aligns with the idea that vulnerability can paradoxically lead to empowerment. The act of attacking someone else in a dream signifies the loss of one’s own strength, indicating a depletion of personal resources or a weakening of one's position.
dictionary.source: Zhougong’s Dreambook, Duanmeng Mishu
The meaning of an attack dream shifts significantly based on the relationship between the individuals involved. If a wife strikes her husband in a dream, it suggests that the husband will gain strength or assistance from his wife, highlighting the potential for benefit even in conflict. Conversely, if a husband strikes his wife in a dream, it predicts a loss of wealth, signifying a negative impact on his resources. When brothers fight in a dream, this can signify great good fortune or reconciliation.
dictionary.source: Newly Compiled Zhougong Dreambook, Zhougong’s Dreambook
Dreams involving attack may point towards discord and potential loss. Dreams of women fighting each other typically indicate illness or misfortune. This interpretation focuses on the negative aspects of conflict and suggests that such disputes bring about negative consequences. Therefore, dreams about aggressive encounters involving women serve as warnings of impending health issues.
dictionary.source: Zhougong’s Dreambook
If one is being attacked in a dream, it typically signifies a form of aggression or threat. This encompasses being chased, pursued, or engaged in arguments. In general, experiencing an attack in a dream represents a potential for conflict, challenges, or obstacles that must be overcome. It can also suggest unresolved issues or emotions that are surfacing in the subconscious. Being attacked could be a reflection of feeling vulnerable or threatened in waking life.
dictionary.source: Hall & Van de Castle content system
Experiencing a direct threat to one's physical integrity during a dream, such as being attacked, is often associated with nightmares. It can indicate a feeling of being overwhelmed or seriously endangered. When the dreamer experiences intense physical aggression or a direct threat, it may be a warning of potential harm or a reflection of underlying anxieties regarding safety and well-being. The nature of the attacker and the context of the attack also help interpret the significance of the event.
dictionary.source: Zadra et al., nightmare content analyses
The interpretation of an attack can also be seen through the lens of threat simulation. In dreams, such events could represent a rehearsal of threat perception and avoidance. In this context, an attack simulates situations that require a response to adversity, enabling one to learn how to handle similar situations in waking life. Seeing one's self successfully evade or defend against the attack suggests resilience and adaptability in confronting challenges.
dictionary.source: Revonsuo (Threat Simulation Theory)
Dreams of attack often symbolize a perceived assault on one's person, be it physical, emotional, or spiritual, reflecting an external force or influence seen as hostile. The form of the attack and the attacker's identity often provide clues to the specific nature of the perceived threat. In many cultures, these dreams signal disruption, vulnerability, or an imbalance requiring attention. Dreams can function as warnings, urging the dreamer to address underlying anxieties or external pressures before they manifest as tangible problems in waking life.
dictionary.source: Common across cultures; varies specifics.
When the dream involves being violently attacked by fierce entities, such as ogre spirits, this typically represents a forceful intrusion into the dreamer's life, potentially linked to malevolent magic or spiritual interference. If ogre spirits attack in dreams, it may indicate that the dreamer is targeted by harmful sorcery operating through the subconscious. Such dreams can also signify a feeling of being overwhelmed by uncontrollable external forces or internal conflicts. Alternatively, experiencing a nightmare, specifically being "ridden" or pressed upon by a supernatural being like the Old Hag or *mara*, signifies a feeling of suffocation, helplessness, and a struggle against oppressive forces.
dictionary.source: Melanesian ethnography ("Talking it Through"), European folklore (Milne).
Dreams of attack are often culturally situated and reflect specific belief systems surrounding illness, punishment, and the spirit world. Among the Inuit, experiencing sleep paralysis and dreams of being attacked by shamans or malevolent spirits (*uqumangirniq/aqtuqsinniq*) suggests an actual spiritual assault within their shamanistic cosmology. Conversely, in the Peruvian Andes, dreams of being attacked—raped, shot at, or pursued—may portend illness or divine punishment by mountain spirits (*Apu*) if the dreamer dreams an *Apu* points a weapon or a soldier attacks, so illness or divine sanction may come to pass. Such dreams signal the dreamer has offended powerful forces or has become vulnerable to their influence.
dictionary.source: Law & Kirmayer (Inuit ethnography), Cecconi (Andean ethnography).
In a dream, an **attack** (being beaten or fighting) represents **gaining support/strength**, or **illness (when women fight)**, or **good fortune (when brothers fight)**. *Zhougong’s Dreambook (周公解夢) traditional lines.* Seeing **“being beaten by someone”** in a dream means **“you will obtain strength/help.”** [C1] If one sees **“women fighting”** in a dream, it means **“illness will arrive.”** [C1] If one sees **“brothers fighting”** in a dream, it means **“great good fortune.”** [C1]
dictionary.source: **Zhougong’s Dreambook (周公解夢)** Block label: **<DIRECT ATTESTATION>** <End block> <Start block> **Attack (spousal striking; brothers fighting)** In a , an **attack** within family relations can mean **benefit from striker** or **loss for striker**, **reconciliation for siblings**. *Dunhuang text “Newly Compiled Zhougong Dreambook” (新集周公解夢書).* Seeing **“wife strikes (hits) one’s body”** a means **“gain wife’s strength/help.”** [C2] If one sees **“striking wife”** a , it means **“loss wealth.”** [C2] If one sees **“brothers fighting (相打)”** a , it means **“harmony/reconciliation (和合).”** [C3] Dream Interpreter: **Newly Compiled Zhougong Dreambook (新集周公解夢書)** Block label: **<DIRECT ATTESTATION>** <End block> <Start block> **Attack (hitting/being hit general)** In a , **attack** (hitting) maps to **loss one’s own strength** (if you attack) or **gaining others’ support** (if you are attacked). *Late imperial manual.* Seeing **“being beaten (被人打)”** a means **“one obtains others’ strength/help.”** [C4] If one **“hits others (打人)”** a , it means **“one’s own strength is lost.”** [C4] Dream Interpreter: **Duanmeng Mishu (斷夢秘書)** Block label: **<DIRECT ATTESTATION>** <End block>
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