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

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

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

In a dream, it signifies for a man wealth and honour.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, pp. 306–307

If he sees that it has grown long until it clings to his belly, then he will gain wealth and prestige in which he will toil in proportion to what of it lay upon his belly.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, pp. 306–307

And if he sees that it has grown to a fitting, handsome, moderate length, then he will attain honour, prestige, beauty, wealth, authority, and a pleasant life.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, pp. 306–307

And if he sees that its sides have grown long but its middle has not, then he will obtain wealth which he prepares for someone else.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, pp. 306–307

And if he sees that it has grown beyond its proper measure, then that is a debt lying upon its owner, and worry and grief.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, pp. 306–307

And if it grows long until it falls upon the ground, its owner dies.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, pp. 306–307

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

Whoever sees his beard grown longer than its proper measure, that is worry and grief. And it is said: debt, regret, frivolity, deficiency of intellect, or lack of management and foolishness.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 47

(He saw) that he pulls his beard downward — then his appointed term is near and his life is running out. And it is said: regret and the occurrence of a calamity.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 48

(And whoever sees) part of his beard plucked out so that its place became deficient, or sees that he became beardless, then it is a diminution with respect to him in all aspects.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 48

(And whoever sees) that his beard was reduced and he sees in it a reduction that is not disfiguring, then that is evidence of the lessening of his worry and grief and the discharge of his debt.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 48

(And whoever sees) that his beard was shaved — in this there are two views. Some of them said: it indicates that if he is sick he will recover, and if he is in debt his debt will be discharged, and if he is worried his worry and grief will depart. Others said: seeing that is greatly disliked.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 48

(And whoever sees) that someone seized his beard without causing pain, then he will be submissive to him in all his affairs, and that one is the one disposing of all his connections. Some of them said: that is not praiseworthy.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 48

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

As for the beard: whoever sees it as though it had grown longer than its proper measure, his dream indicates debt and grief.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 152–154

And whoever sees that his beard has turned white and none of its blackness remains, then he will experience regarding his face and his standing among people something he dislikes.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 780–783

And if it grew long until it fell upon the ground, it indicates death, because of Allah's saying, "From it We created you, and to it We shall return you."

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 152–154

But if some of its blackness has remained, then it is dignity.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 780–783

And if it grew long until it clung to his belly, he will obtain wealth and standing in which he will toil in proportion to what of it lay upon his belly.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 152–154

And the length of the beard beyond its known measure is a debt that will be upon its owner, or severe distress.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 780–783

Artemidorus of Daldis, Oneirocritica (1644 English translation)

TO have the Beard long, thicke, and unhandsome, is good for him which is curious to speake well, as an Embassadour, an Oratour, a Lawyer, a Philosopher, and for those who have a desire to learne Arts or Sciences.

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

IF one dreameth that he sées his Beard fayre, long, and thick; the fire fayre and cleare on the Harth; his • ose and Shoes new, well knit, and cleane; the Rain fall on him, or about him; to sée some little péece of gold or silver, or his purse in his hand: to walke pleasantly and delightfully on the way without hinderance: to see or eats some little quantity of Egges, or Pease, or sodden Pork, and swéet Apples: they signifie good successe in affayres, or some profit for to redound to the dreamer, within four or five dayes.

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

If a Widdow woman dreams she hath a beard, she shall have an husband, which shall be kinde and bountifull,

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

if she be married then she shall lose her husband, or be separated from him, and govern her house alone, as if she were both husband and wife together:

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

if she be not with childe or at law: for if the first, she shall have a son;

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

if the second, she shall persever in her opinion, bearing a high minde, and regarding her honour as if she were a man.

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

Freud and Jung, a separate view

The fact that this bride finally displays a beard, I can explain from an inquiry—I had no chance to make an analysis. The dreamer had on the previous day crossed the street with a friend who was just as hostile to marriage as himself, and had called his friend’s attention to a beautiful brunette who was coming towards them. The friend had remarked: “Yes, if only these women wouldn’t get beards, as they grow older, like their fathers.”

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

Kinds and conditions of Beard

picking (beard, teeth, fingers)

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

As for picking (takhlil), it is of three kinds: picking the beard, the teeth, and the fingers. Al-Kirmani said: As for picking the beard, it indicates splendor and acceptance.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 72

As for picking the teeth with a toothpick, there is no good in it for the doer or the one done to, because it resembles sweeping. The discussion of teeth and what they are interpreted as has already been given.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 72

shaving the beard

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

And whoever sees half of his beard shaved, then he will become poor and his standing will be lost.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 155–157

And if an unknown youth shaved it, his standing will be lost at the hand of an enemy, and he will know him, or one of his name, or his counterpart.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 155–157

cheek-down (beard growth on the cheek)

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

In a dream, it signifies the presenting of an excuse.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 239

And whoever, among those who already have beards, comes to have cheek-down growing, it is feared that a chain will be placed on his neck.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 239

white beard

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

And whoever sees that his beard is white and gleaming will attain might, standing, a name and renown in the lands, because the beard of Ibrahim, peace be upon him, was white.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 155–157

And if he sees that it is grizzled (mixed white and black), then he will obtain standing and dignity.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 155–157

shaving head and beard

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

And whoever sees that his beard and his head have both been shaved, and along with that there was speech indicating good, then if he was in distress his distress will be relieved and he will be saved and his debt will be settled.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 808–812

And whatever is diminished of the hair, according to the course of that diminution it will be good, if its length was a source of worry.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 808–812

a woman's beard

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

A woman's beard indicates that she will never give birth; and it is said it indicates her illness.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 155–157

And it is said its interpretation is an increase in the wealth of her husband and her son, and the honour of her child. And it is said that if she is married, it indicates the absence of her husband.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 155–157

reddish-blond beard

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

In a dream it signifies discord and disfigurement.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 213

Especially if white hair is mixed with it in the dream.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 213

woman's beard

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

And whoever sees that his wife has a beard, the woman will never bear a child; and if he has a son, he will become the master of his household.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 730–733

And as for the woman, if she sees that she has a beard like a man's beard, then she will never bear a child; and if she has a child, he will become the master of his household, or her guardian will have a renown among the people.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 771–773

gray hair in the beard

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

Gray hair in the beard is dignity and awe.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 155–157

long beard

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

And it is said: whoever's beard grows long and his hair becomes abundant, his life will be long and his wealth will increase.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 155–157

beard longer than the moustache

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

(And it is related) that a man came to Ibn Sirin and said: I saw as though my beard had grown long but my moustache had not grown long. He said: You will obtain wealth which others will not put an end to.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 155–157

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