Children in a dream: meaning in Ibn Sirin, al-Nabulsi and the hadith

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

Artemidorus of Daldis, Oneirocritica (1644 English translation)

TO dreame that you see or have children of your own and not other mens, is ill to man and wife.

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

But the male children bring good successe, daughters bring an end worse then the beginning, for they are married with a dowry.

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

I know a man which dream't that he had a daughter borne, and hee borrowed mony for interest;

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

and on the contrary side I knew another, which dream't that hee buried his daughter deceased, and it fel out that hee was constrained to pay a debt for which he was bound. So then his daughter made agreement with the debt.

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

But to see other mens children is good when they are faire and well favoured, for this signifieth that a good and happy time is at hand.

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

Freud and Jung, a separate view

Children also in the dream often signify the genitals, as men and women are in the habit of fondly referring to their genital organ as their "little one."

Sigmund Freud, The Interpretation of Dreams / On Dreams / Dream Psychology, Dream Psychology, ch. V Sex in Dreams

To play with a little child or to beat a little one is often the dream's representation of onanism.

Sigmund Freud, The Interpretation of Dreams / On Dreams / Dream Psychology, Dream Psychology, ch. V Sex in Dreams

Kinds and conditions of Children

children showing things beyond their age

Artemidorus of Daldis, Oneirocritica (1644 English translation)

TO dream of any thing to befall little children, which is not propper to theyr age, is not good:

Oneirocritica (1644 English translation), The Fourth Booke of Artimedorus.

as to dreame that men children have beards, and gray hayrs, and that little wenches should be married, and have children; which signifieth to them death at hand.

Oneirocritica (1644 English translation), The Fourth Booke of Artimedorus.

speech of the dead, children and animals in dreams

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

And the dead person is in an abode of truth, so whatever he says in the dream is truth, so long as he is safe from temptation and pride.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 1–5

And likewise the child who does not know how to lie; and likewise beasts and all the mute animals: if one speaks, its statement is truth. And the speech of that which does not speak is a sign and a marvel.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 1–5

children around Abraham

Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, Fath al-Bari, commentary on Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Dream Interpretation

(As for the children who were around him, they are every infant who died in the state of natural disposition [fitrah]) — in the narration of al-Nadr ibn Shumayl: "who was born in the state of natural disposition," and this is more consistent with his statement in the other narration: "and the children of the polytheists."

Fath al-Bari, commentary on Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Dream Interpretation, pp. 7432–7433

His statement: (and the children of the polytheists) — discussion of it has already been given in full at the end of [the Book of] Funerals, and its apparent meaning is that he (peace be upon him) attached them to the children of the Muslims with regard to the ruling of the Hereafter. And this does not conflict with his statement: "They are from their fathers," because that is the ruling of this world.

Fath al-Bari, commentary on Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Dream Interpretation, pp. 7432–7433

woman whose children do not survive (miqlat)

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

In a dream she is a woman none of whose children survive, so her tears are forever flowing because of her grief.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 329

And it is said that the tear of grief is hot and the tear of joy is cold.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 329

little children

Artemidorus of Daldis, Oneirocritica (1644 English translation)

AMong little children, it is better to dream you sée boyes, then girles: and yet, both import care, because for little ones we must care.

Oneirocritica (1644 English translation), The Fourth Booke of Artimedorus.

birth of children and weddings

Artemidorus of Daldis, Oneirocritica (1644 English translation)

dreams which are of the generation of children, or of weddings, foretel that our children being in a farre Country, shal return; especially the wife and children, if by chance any one hath took them from us:

Oneirocritica (1644 English translation), The Fourth Booke of Artimedorus.

having children

Freud and Jung, a separate view

is not the having of children the only access to immortality for us all?

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

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