Back in a dream: meaning in Ibn Sirin, al-Nabulsi and Ibn Shahin

88 passages from 5 sources, quoted as written, every one linked to its page.

Ibn Shahin al-Zahiri, al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat

As for the back: it is a person's strength, his support, his standing, his master, his ruin, his end, his poverty, his advanced age, his affliction, and his mount.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 58

So whoever sees that he is carrying a heavy load on his back, then it is the committing of sins and burdens, on account of Allah's saying: "And they carry their burdens upon their backs."

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 58

And if he sees a growth on his back, a debt will befall him; and carrying firewood is slander; and the chain of the back is children.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 58

And al-Kirmani said: whoever sees that there is a dead person on his back, then it is interpreted as the dependents of the deceased.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 58

And Jabir al-Maghribi said: whoever sees the back of his enemy, then he will be safe from his malice.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 58

As for the back of the hindquarters, it is the turning away of the world from him.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 58

attributed to Ibn Sirin, Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam

As for the back: a man's back is his support, his worth, and his refuge upon which he relies, and the seat of his strength.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 161–164

If he sees that his back is bent, a calamity will befall him. It is also said that it is an indication of grey hair (old age).

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 161–164

Seeing the back of a friend means his turning away and his estrangement.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 161–164

Seeing the back of an enemy means safety from his evil.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 161–164

Seeing the back of an old woman means the turning away of the world and its passing.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 161–164

Seeing the back of a young woman means a slight delay in attaining what is desired.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 161–164

Artemidorus of Daldis, Oneirocritica (1644 English translation)

THe Backe and all the hinder parts signifie old age, therefore as one thinks his back and hinder parts to be, so shall he be in his age.

Oneirocritica (1644 English translation), The first Booke of Artimedorus His Exposition of Dreames.

Kinds and conditions of Back

back (of the body)

Abd al-Ghani al-Nabulsi, Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam

A person's back in a dream indicates that which appears upon him, or that by which he supports himself; and perhaps the back indicates what appears upon him, such as clothing, and what he supports himself with, such as hoarded wealth or an interest he holds in reserve.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, pp. 230–231

The back indicates the exterior of the house, or the town, or the doctrine; and the breaking of the back is fear or grief.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, pp. 230–231

dead relatives coming back to life

attributed to Ibn Sirin, Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam

If he sees as though his grandfather and grandmother have come back to life, then that is the life of good fortune (jadd) and luck.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 111–114

If he sees as though his mother has come back to life, relief will come to him from the distress he is in.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 111–114

nape (back of the neck)

Abd al-Ghani al-Nabulsi, Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam

In a dream it indicates what is said about it: gratitude or blame, advance or retreat, honour or humiliation, or debt. And the nape may indicate the tracking of traces.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 286

If there appears in the nape something indicating good, such as thickness, or whiteness, or a sweet scent, or a shining light, or that it has become of iron, then that is evidence of his being thanked in the matter he is engaged in, such as his advancing and retreating in encountering enemies, or that he does not turn his nape in retreat from them; and if it is continuous, his standing will grow great, or his debt will be paid off.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 286

a person being turned over (onto the face or back)

Abd al-Ghani al-Nabulsi, Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam

[Being turned over] onto his face in a dream indicates associating partners with Allah the Exalted, and loss in this world and the Hereafter.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 22

And if he is turned over from his face onto his back, he has repented to Allah the Exalted, and it indicates his facing people openly.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 22

charging back (in battle)

Abd al-Ghani al-Nabulsi, Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam

In a dream, it is the opposite of fleeing.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 296

A person's charging back at his enemy in a dream after having fled from him: that is his victory over him.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 296

back pain

attributed to Ibn Sirin, Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam

As for back pain, it indicates the death of a brother, for it has been said: the death of a brother breaks the back.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 208–211

And it is said that the interpretation of back pain refers back to the one by whom a man is strengthened, such as a child, a chief, or a friend.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 208–211

lying on the back

attributed to Ibn Sirin, Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam

And whoever sees as though he is lying on his back, his affair grows strong, his fortune comes to him, and the world becomes under his hand, because the earth is a strong support.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 713–717

And whoever lies on his back with his mouth open, and loaves of bread come out of it, then his management diminishes, his fortune passes away, and someone else wins out in his affair.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 713–717

turning one's head / looking back

Abd al-Ghani al-Nabulsi, Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam

In his dream, [it signifies] greed that casts its owner [into ruin], especially turning one's head during the prayer.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 21

If the turning of the head was because of something dreaded that he fears, such as a snake or a lion, then that is an indication of wariness toward the wife and the children, because they are his enemies.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 21

back of the head

Artemidorus of Daldis, Oneirocritica (1644 English translation)

But to see the hinder part of the Head in that sort is poverty, and ill luck in 〈◊〉 age.

Oneirocritica (1644 English translation), The first Booke of Artimedorus His Exposition of Dreames.

To have all the hinder part of the Head naked is good for him which goes to law, for him that is fearfull▪ for him that is shut up and detained by force, for he shal flie and escape, noting that one cannot catch him by the hayr f • ying.

Oneirocritica (1644 English translation), The first Booke of Artimedorus His Exposition of Dreames.

lying on one's back

Abd al-Ghani al-Nabulsi, Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam

In a dream, lying on one's back signifies strength of affairs. So whoever sees himself as though he is lying stretched out on his back, his affair becomes strong and his worldly fortune comes to him, or the world comes under his hand, because the earth is a strong provider.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 21

(And whoever sees) that he lay on his back with his mouth open, and loaves of bread came out of it, then his management diminishes, his rule passes away, and someone else prevails in his affair.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 21

bringing back a hat from a trip

Freud and Jung, a separate view

Concerning the latter the idea is that the young wife has brought him back with her from the wedding journey. It is quite above board, just as if she were bringing back a hat from her trip.

Sigmund Freud, The Interpretation of Dreams / On Dreams / Dream Psychology, The Interpretation of Dreams, ch. VI The Dream-Work

weak back

Ibn Shahin al-Zahiri, al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat

(And whoever sees) a weakness in his back, then it is interpreted as the person's advancing age, and being bent over is impoverishment.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 63

Also in the sources

a dead person come back to life · turner-back (raddad)

53 more passages on this symbol are in the database and used by the interpreter.