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Art Credit: Jano Tantongco, jano.tantongco@gmail.com
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We love dogs, and they love us. For millennia, they have held deep symbolic meaning in mythology, religion, and literature, often serving as protectors, guides, loyal companions, and a connection to our instincts. When it comes to dog symbolism in dreams, they can embody emotional support, intuition, or boundless enthusiasm. Whether acting as guardians or loyal companions, like in ancient myths, dogs often reflect our need to trust our instincts and deal with unresolved issues or unprecedented life transitions. Their appearance in dreams evokes a connection between our conscious and unconscious minds, helping us navigate challenges that our waking minds cannot fully grasp.
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Here are the many ways our symbolic dogs can help us.
Psychopomp (Guide to the Underworld)
In Greek mythology, Cerberus, the three-headed dog, stands as the guardian of the underworld, preventing souls from escaping and ensuring that the living do not intrude into the realm of the dead. Similarly, in Egyptian mythology, Anubis, with his jackal-headed form, guides souls through the perilous journey into the afterlife, assisting in weighing the heart and determining whether a soul is worthy of entering paradise. In Aztec mythology, Xolotl, the dog-headed god, accompanies the dead to Mictlan, the underworld, and aids the sun in its daily journey through darkness. Norse mythology features Garm, a monstrous dog who guards the gates of Hel, the Norse realm of the dead. In Roman mythology, black dogs are associated with death and the underworld, often appearing in rituals involving the dead, reinforcing the connection between dogs and the boundary between life and death.
As a psychological metaphor, the dog as psychopomp represents the function of the psyche that guides the ego through transitions between the conscious and unconscious realms. In Jungian terms, this could be viewed as the role of the Self or an archetypal guide that leads the individual through transformative, often challenging, inner experiences. Dogs, through their instinctual wisdom, provide a sense of security and guidance as one navigates the unknown. In dreams, a dog functioning as a psychopomp might symbolize the dreamer’s unconscious, leading them through a period of personal transformation and helping them confront repressed material or unresolved issues from the past.
Protector and Guardian
Dogs frequently appear as protectors and guardians. In Greek mythology, dogs serve as companions and protectors for gods such as Artemis, the goddess of the hunt. In Zoroastrianism, dogs are considered sacred protectors of both the household and the souls of the dead, playing a key role in rituals that ensure safe passage to the afterlife. In Hindu mythology, Yudhishthira in the Mahabharata is accompanied by a loyal dog, symbolizing dharma, or righteous duty, on his journey to heaven, highlighting dogs’ protective and guiding nature. In Christianity, St. Roch is depicted with a faithful dog who miraculously heals him by licking his wounds, symbolizing both divine and earthly protection. In Irish mythology, the hero Cú Chulainn, known as the “Hound of Culann,” embodies the fierce protection associated with dogs, standing as a guardian of his people and homeland.
The dog as protector serves as the psyche’s defense mechanism, shielding our vulnerable aspects from destructive complexes. In this role, the dog remains vigilant against potential harm, protecting the dream ego from external threats or internal psychic dangers. In dreams, dogs as protectors often symbolize an aspect of psyche working to protect us from emotional or psychological threats. This could constellate during periods of intense vulnerability, bringing strength and resilience. The dream dog could indicate that the dreamer needs to be more aware of boundaries or protective energies within the waking life.
Companion
In Hindu mythology, the dog in the Mahabharata not only represents loyalty but also embodies unwavering companionship as it follows Yudhishthira to the very gates of heaven. Norse mythology reinforces this theme through Odin’s wolves, Geri and Freki, who accompany him as loyal companions, emphasizing the bond between gods and animals. In literature, Argos, the faithful dog in Homer’s Odyssey, epitomizes the idea of companionship. Argos waits twenty years for Odysseus to return, showcasing the deep, soul-bound relationship between humans and their dogs, a symbol of devotion and loyalty that transcends time.
The dog as a companion reflects the relationship between the ego and other parts of psyche, particularly the instinctual and emotional sides. The actions of the dream dog can out picture how well the dreamer has integrated their primal, unconscious drives and emotions. Dogs’ images evoke secure attachment. They arrive in dreams to teach us how bonding can be maintained regardless of any losses in status the ego fears.
Symbol of Loyalty and Faithfulness
Dogs are frequently portrayed as symbols of loyalty and faithfulness. The Japanese tale of Hachiko, a real-life Akita who waited for his deceased owner at a train station for nearly ten years, exemplifies the theme of loyalty in both folklore and real life. In Roman mythology, dogs were often depicted on tombs as symbols of fidelity, representing the unwavering loyalty they extended to their masters, even in death. This loyalty in myth and history reflects an admiration for the steadfast and enduring bond between dogs and humans.
Dream dogs enact the faithful aspects of psyche that remain steadfast through emotional or personal challenges. This can symbolize the dreamer’s loyalty to their own values, relationships, or inner truths despite outer turmoil. A loyal dog might indicate the dreamer needs to reconnect with qualities of trustworthiness, reliability, or faithfulness within themselves or in their relationships. The presence of a loyal dog can also symbolize the dreamer’s desire for a trustworthy relationship or connection with someone who embodies these qualities.
Hunter or Tracker
Dogs also play an important role as hunters and trackers in many traditions. Celtic mythology features powerful hunting dogs, as seen in the Cŵn Annwn, spectral hounds that accompany the lord of the underworld on hunts. These dogs are hunters and guides to the afterlife, reflecting the connection between hunting, death, and the spiritual realm. In Norse mythology, Odin’s wolves, Geri and Freki, symbolize the primal instinct to hunt down forces threatening the cosmic order.
As a psychological metaphor, the dog as hunter or tracker symbolizes the intuitive aspect of psyche that sniffs out hidden truths or resources. They embody the drive to uncover unknown or repressed parts of psyche, much like hunting for sustenance or insight. In dreams, a hunting dog may symbolize the dreamer’s inner drive to discover new opportunities or even confront hidden fears. It may indicate that the dreamer is in a phase of “tracking down” a solution to a problem, requiring dogged persistence for this endeavor.
Harbinger of Death or Doom
In European folklore, the black dog, or Black Shuck, is often considered a harbinger of death or doom, appearing as a spectral figure forewarning an impending death or misfortune. In Greek culture, dogs were associated with death due to their role as scavengers, serving as literal and symbolic reminders of mortality.
In psychological terms, the dog, as a harbinger of death, represents a confrontation with the inevitability of change, loss, or transition. The inner dog can introduce us to mortality, endings, or significant shifts. In dreams, they can function as harbingers of symbolic doom like an impending psychological transition, warning the dreamer of an inner change, emotional loss, or a period of difficulty ahead. The dog rarely indicates physical death but rather the death of an old way of thinking, behavior, or relationship, signaling the need for psychological transformation.
Guardian of Sacred Spaces
Dogs have long been guardians of sacred spaces in myth and religion. In Greek and Roman traditions, dogs guarded temples and sacred places, symbolizing their role as protectors of divine mysteries and sacred knowledge. In Chinese mythology, Foo Dogs (or guardian lions) are placed at the entrance of temples or important buildings, guaranteeing protection from evil spirits. These statues often appear in pairs, representing both strength and stability, guarding against negative influences. The symbolism of dogs as guardians of sacred spaces reinforces their role as intermediaries between the human and divine realms, protecting the sanctity of spiritual places.
Dream dogs guarding sacred spaces reflect the psyche’s protective mechanisms that safeguard what is most sacred or vulnerable within us, such as deeply held values, emotions, or spiritual insights. These dogs represent the internal forces that protect the integrity of the individual’s spiritual or emotional core. In dreams, a dog guarding a sacred space could symbolize the dreamer’s inner protection over something precious within themselves, such as a spiritual practice, a relationship, or access to Self. This suggests that the dreamer needs to guard something important in their waking life from external influences or internal neglect.
Healer and Helper
In Christian tradition, St. Roch’s dog served as a companion and played a role in his miraculous healing, licking his wounds and providing physical and emotional support. The idea of dogs as healers is echoed in various traditions, where they represent both spiritual and physical healing. In Tibetan Buddhism, dogs are seen as auspicious animals that protect against illness, often accompanying monks or religious figures on their journeys, reflecting the belief that dogs carry spiritual significance in maintaining health and well-being. Native American traditions also view dogs as healers or helpers, assisting in spiritual rituals that focus on healing the sick or wounded through their protective and nurturing presence.
The dog as a healer symbolizes psyche’s ability to repair itself through connection to instinctual wisdom. This psychological metaphor emphasizes the healing role of primal forces within the individual that intuitively know how to mend emotional wounds. A dog helping to heal or comfort in a dream might suggest that the dreamer is in the process of emotional restoration or needs to reconnect with their instincts to find a path to healing. It might also represent someone or something in their life that is aiding their recovery.
Symbol of Transformation or Resurrection
In Egyptian mythology, Anubis aids in the resurrection of Osiris, the god of the afterlife, signaling the role of dogs in transformation and resurrection. This association with rebirth is echoed in Aztec mythology, where Xolotl, the dog-headed god, plays a crucial role in the transformation of the sun, helping it journey through the underworld and rise again. These mythological roles reflect the transformative nature of dogs, both in their association with death and rebirth and their ability to act as bridges between different states of being, symbolizing the eternal cycle of life, death, and renewal.
As a symbol of transformation, the dog represents the psychological process of death and rebirth within psyche, often marking a period of significant inner growth. This can reflect a transformation of core attitudes that are left behind as new insights or behaviors emerge. In dreams, a dog involved in resurrection might symbolize the dreamer’s personal metamorphosis, indicating that they are undergoing a profound inner change. The dream could suggest the integration of previously repressed aspects that require radical change to be claimed.
Justice and Judgment
In Egyptian mythology, Anubis, the canine-headed god, not only guards the souls of the dead but also acts as the ultimate judge of their fates. As the god responsible for weighing the heart against the feather of Maat, the principle of truth, Anubis plays a crucial role in the justice system of the afterlife. Hindu mythology also features dogs as symbols of justice. Yama, the god of death, is often depicted with two four-eyed dogs who guard the gates to the afterlife, serving as enforcers of divine justice. The presence of dogs in these mythologies underscores their role in ensuring fairness in the moral and spiritual realms.
In psychological terms, the dog, as an enforcer of justice or judgment, symbolizes the psyche’s inner moral compass, the part that weighs the individual’s actions against their values or principles. This dog represents the inner authority that determines whether the individual has acted in alignment with their deeper ethical standards. In dreams, a dog symbolizing justice may represent the dreamer’s need for self-reflection or discernment about their behavior. It could indicate that the dreamer is grappling with a moral dilemma, facing consequences, or seeking internal balance in their actions or decisions.
Messenger or Herald
In Roman mythology, dogs sometimes act as messengers between the gods and mortals, serving as intermediaries who deliver divine messages or warnings. In Norse mythology, Odin’s wolves, Geri and Freki, gather information about the mortal realm and recount it to Odin, reinforcing the role of dogs as messengers and scouts. German Shepherds and other breeds were used during both World Wars to carry written messages strapped to their bodies. They were valued for their speed, agility, and ability to navigate dangerous terrain more safely than humans in certain situations. They delivered crucial messages across battlefields where human couriers were impractical or too risky. The role of dogs as messengers is often tied to their keen senses and ability to differentiate thousands of odors that orient them to the environment.
The dog as a messenger symbolizes the psyche’s capacity to bring important, sometimes unconscious, information to the surface, communicating inner truths or warnings. This psychological metaphor reflects the dog’s role as a bridge between the unconscious and the conscious mind, delivering insights from one realm to the other. In dreams, a dog acting as a messenger might symbolize that the dreamer is receiving an important piece of intuitive knowledge, a warning, or insight. This can be a message about shadow demanding acknowledgment, a life situation we are avoiding, or something about to emerge into consciousness that needs assistance.
Trickster
In some Native American stories, dogs take on the role of tricksters, using their wit and cunning to teach humans lessons about humility, patience, and respect. Like the coyote or raven, trickster dogs are often mischievous, subverting expectations and highlighting the unpredictable nature of the world. These stories usually involve the dog outsmarting other animals or humans, challenging the natural order to reveal hidden truths or moral lessons. This role reflects the complex nature of dogs in mythology, where they are protectors and guides and figures who challenge the status quo.
As a psychological metaphor, the dog as a trickster symbolizes the disruptive yet creative force in the psyche that challenges conventional thinking and helps the individual see beyond surface appearances. The trickster dog subverts expectations, pushing the individual to question rigid structures or outdated beliefs. In dreams, a trickster dog may represent an internal challenge or disruption that, while unsettling, can lead to greater awareness or personal growth. This may indicate that the dreamer needs to embrace uncertainty or approach a situation more flexibly, as it reveals hidden truths through mischief or transgression of oppressive rules.
Sacrificial Figure
In Roman religion, dogs were occasionally sacrificed in rituals, especially during the Robigalia, a festival to protect crops from disease. The sacrifice of dogs was believed to appease the gods and ensure the safety and fertility of the land. In Greek religion, dogs were sometimes offered to Hecate, the goddess of witchcraft and the crossroads, as part of rituals aimed at seeking protection from harmful spirits or invoking her guidance. The sacrificial role of dogs reflects the heroic drive to protect at all costs, even sacrificing oneself.
The dog as a sacrificial figure represents the psyche’s ability to let go or “sacrifice” aspects of personality in order to access a higher level of development. This may symbolize the need to relinquish cherished traits, whether an attachment, behavior or outdated belief, to advance or safeguard something of greater value. In dreams, a sacrificial dog might represent the dreamer’s need to make a difficult decision or let go of something in their waking life for the greater good. The sacrifice often symbolizes the dreamer’s internal conflict and their resistance to making a conscious choice, forcing the unconscious to act as a force of nature, stealing life from one part of our psyche to feed a latent capacity.
Conclusion
As symbols across myth, religion, and literature, dogs represent multifaceted aspects of the human psyche, embodying roles such as guides, protectors, companions, and healers. Psychologically, they symbolize primal instincts, loyalty, and transformation, often functioning as metaphors for the more profound, instinctual wisdom that bridges the conscious and unconscious. Whether acting as psychopomps guiding souls through the underworld, protectors of sacred spaces, symbols of loyalty and companionship, or trickster figures challenging the status quo, dogs mirror the emotional, spiritual, and instinctual dimensions of the human experience.
~ Joseph Lee
HERE’S THE DREAM WE ANALYZE:
I was in a room that was reminiscent of a hospital room. I had a lot of paperwork to do for some reason, but this required the body of my dead mother to be exhumed. She is alive in waking life. My mother looked somewhat overweight but was very thin in waking life. Her skin was pale blue, and her hair was reddish. She actually has black hair. She looked mummified, although her body was not decomposing. She was in a strange position, almost like the position you’re in when driving a sports car. Someone I dated a few years ago was in the room. He was lying on the bed under the covers. We held hands. But suddenly I remembered that this person had hurt me, and I asked them not to do that, and then I left the room. I continued to have other dreams throughout the night, but this image of my mother kept popping up throughout my dreams.
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WE’VE PUBLISHED OUR FIRST BOOK TOGETHER!!!
Hello Joseph, Deb and Lisa,
I really enjoyed this episode and I’m looking forward to more like it. I hope you decide to do podcasts on dream series. I’ve had many dreams like that and it’s fascinating. I also can’t wait to see your new book. How do you have time to do it all??!!! Thanks again for your work. It’s nice to see how much you’ve grown since beginning the podcast 5-6 years ago.