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

448 passages from 4 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 dream it is a person's leadership, and his "head" who is under his authority, and his capital (ra's mal).

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, pp. 129–131

(Whoever sees) that his head is larger than it was, that is his father; and the largeness of the head indicates an increase of honour, and the smallness of the head indicates a decrease of honour.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, pp. 129–131

(Whoever sees) that he has two or three heads, then he will attain victory over enemies if he is a duellist; and if he is poor he will become rich; and if he is rich he will have dutiful, praiseworthy children; and if he is unmarried he will marry and attain what he desires.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, pp. 129–131

(Whoever sees) that his head is uncovered, then he will disobey and depart from obedience to him.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, pp. 129–131

(Whoever sees) that he is hung upside down, then he will live a long life with rebuke and hardship, on account of the story of Harut and Marut.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, pp. 129–131

And if he sees that his head is bowed down, bent over, then he is confessing his sin and turning toward righteousness; this dream of his announces the length of his life.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, pp. 129–131

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

As for the head and the brain, it is the chief of the human being, and concerning it there are many aspects whose explanation will follow. Daniel (peace be upon him) said: the vision of the head indicates

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

(And whoever sees) that in his hand is a severed head, it indicates that a great man will take him by the hand and he will obtain good and benefit.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 49

upon the nearness of his death; and if it became pottery of clay, then he will abandon doing anything of the kinds of threatening.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 50

(And whoever sees) a severed head, and he is a man of office and power, then he will move up to something greater than what he holds, or an increase in splendour and wisdom; and if he is other than that, then obtaining wealth from a source other than a woman, or honour and prestige.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 49

(And whoever sees) that on his head there are rays of fire, then it is interpreted in two ways: good fortune and a position, or injustice and oppression.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 50

(And whoever sees) that his head became separated from him without a striking of the neck or the like, then he will part from his chief, or his parents, or his teachers.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 49

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

As for the head in interpretation, it is the man's chief under whose authority he is, and his capital, and his good fortune.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 135–138

And if he sees that his head is in his hand, that is good for one who has no children and is unable to set out on a journey.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 139–141

Whoever sees as though his head is bigger than it was, his honour increases.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 135–138

And if he sees that his head is in his hand while he has another natural head, it indicates that he resists something of the afflictions that surround him and sets right something of his bad affairs that are under his management.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 139–141

Whoever sees as though his head is smaller than it was, his honour decreases.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 135–138

And it is narrated that a man came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and said: O Messenger of Allah, I saw my head cut off, and it was as though I were looking at it with one of my eyes. So he (peace be upon him) smiled and said: With which of the two were you looking at it? Then he remained as long as Allah willed him to remain, and then the Prophet (peace be upon him) died. And the looking is the following of the Sunnah, and the head is the imam.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 139–141

Artemidorus of Daldis, Oneirocritica (1644 English translation)

TO dream you have a great Head, is good for a rich man which hath not a • yet any great estate and dignity. Also to a poore man, to a Champion, to an Usu ••• ▪ to a Horse-cour • er, to him that puts out money to use.

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

For first, this dream foretels Principality or Dignity, in which he must weare a Crowne, Scepter, or Diadem. Secondly, great riches and possessions (to a Champion victory) to a Broker and Usurer, great heaps and sums of mony.

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

But to those who are already in dignity, and to an Orator, and Judges of the people, this dream brings charges, and reproches by the people.

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

And to him that is sick, it is head-ake.

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

To a souldier it signifieth travell and pains; to a servant long servitude, and to him which hath chosen a calm life, pain, and anger.

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

But to have the Head l • sser then naturall proportion, signifieth a thing contrary to the signification of the Head above spoken of, importing difference in respect of the different quality of the men.

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

Kinds and conditions of Head

hair (of the head)

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

It is in dreams wealth and long life. So whoever sees that the hair of his head has grown long, then his life will be long.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, pp. 192–194

And if he sees that upon his head is a thick shock of hair and he joined it with other hair, then if he is rich his wealth increases and grows, and he borrows money and trades with it.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, pp. 192–194

shaving the head and other hair

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

Whoever shaves his head in a dream, then it refers back to the seer's habit in waking life, and likewise trimming it.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, pp. 81–82

(And if he sees) that he shaved his head, he will spend his wealth in obedience to Allah the Exalted.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, pp. 81–82

shaving the head

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

(Ja'far al-Sadiq said): The vision of shaving the head is interpreted in five ways: Hajj, travel, might, prestige, and safety, because of His saying, exalted is He: "with your heads shaved and your hair shortened, having no fear."

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

But if he is one of the people of the state (a government official), then it is not praiseworthy, unless it is his custom to shave his head several times during the week, in which case it is not bad.

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

head (cooked animal head)

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

As for the oven-roasted head, it signifies a chief.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 227–230

So whoever sees as though he bought a large, fat head from a head-seller will benefit from a useful master (teacher).

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 227–230

seller of cooked heads

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

Seeing him indicates one who handles people's capital sums (heads of wealth), like a money-changer.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 139

And perhaps seeing him indicates death, or falling into hardships.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 139

shaved head

Artemidorus of Daldis, Oneirocritica (1644 English translation)

FOr to sée himself powld all the head, is good for Jesters that use to make men laugh, and to such as are commonly shaved, to all other it is evill.

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

For it betokens as much as nakednes and barrenuesse, if it bring not greater evils and more at hand.

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

temple (side of the head)

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

The two temples in a dream are two noble, blessed sons. So whoever sees in them some occurrence of good or evil, it is something that occurs to the two sons.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 211

And perhaps the temple indicates recovery from illnesses.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 211

butting heads

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

Butting with rams indicates in a dream preparation for fighting and war.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 321

And perhaps it indicates attending a season of innovation (bid'ah) and misguidance.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 321

having the head of a beast

Artemidorus of Daldis, Oneirocritica (1644 English translation)

TO have the head of a Lion, a Wolfe, a Panther, or an Elephant, in stead of his own is good: for he which attempteth things beyond his power and hath this dreams, shall attaine to great dignitie and honour.

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

Many desiring Offices and places of credit, after this dreame have obtained them:

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

women's jewellery and head ornaments

Artemidorus of Daldis, Oneirocritica (1644 English translation)

Carcanets, chains▪ pearles, pre • ious stones, and all adornings of the head and necks of women, are good for women:

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

o widowes and maids, they signifie mariage; to those which have no children, that they shall have: and to those which have husbands and children, they betoken purchases and riches:

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

human heads

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

If he sees that he is eating from people's heads, or feeding them to another, or obtaining from them hair or bones, then he will obtain wealth from the chiefs of the people and their great ones.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 717–721

And if he eats of their brains, then he will obtain some of the treasured stores of their wealth.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 717–721

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

Also in the sources

shaved side of the head · holding one's head in one's hands · turning one's head / looking back · back of the head · having many heads · wry neck (head turned backwards) · abandoning the Qur'an and having the head crushed · crushing (of the head) · grey hair / whiteness of head · head ailment · bald head (scalp disease) · head cold · severed heads · Rosh Galuta (Exilarch, head of the Jewish exiles) · ringworm/baldness of the head (scald head) · head of a household or congregation · carrying bread on the head · head crushed with a rock · head sores · treading on the heads of snakes · head shaved and bird leaving the mouth · woman shaving her head · severed head · horns on the head · temples (of the head) · headache / head ailment · one's head in one's hand · head seller · smashing the head against a rock · hair of head and body · turning one's head around during prayer · crushing (the head) · head cold (catarrh)

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