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If you dream of crying, it signifies that joy or laughter is coming in waking life.

Crying in Dreams Signifies Joy to Come

Details

According to traditional belief in various cultures, dreaming that you are crying is not an omen of sadness but instead a forecast of joy or laughter in your waking life. Often included in lists of reversed dream meanings, this superstition follows a symbolic logic: nocturnal sorrow is thought to be purgative, making space for happiness during the day. Dreamers report such visions as emotionally intense—often involving tears, grief, or perceived loss—which are then interpreted by practitioners or elders as signs of emotional release and resulting lightness. Some cultures believe that the more intense the dream-crying, the more significant the joy to follow. No special ritual is required; the act of dreaming alone is considered sufficient for the omen to hold meaning. Interpretations may also depend on context, such as who is crying and why, with personal associations playing a role.

Historical Context

Dream interpretation has played an important role in many historical cultures such as ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, and various Asian societies. Often dreams were seen as messages from the divine or from the subconscious. The idea that dream content could symbolically reverse waking outcomes, such as tears foretelling laughter, is particularly prominent in medieval and early-modern European dreambooks. In folk traditions worldwide, including Slavic, Middle Eastern, and Indian cultures, negative symbols (like crying) seen in dreams have been interpreted as positive omens in waking life. Such reversals were a way communities could impose order or hope over the uncertainty of subconscious imagery or unknown futures.

Modern Relevance

Today, this superstition persists primarily through oral tradition and informal dream interpretation communities, especially within Eastern European, Middle Eastern, and South Asian households. Online dream forums and social media pages sharing folk beliefs have revived interest in such reverse-symbolism dream interpretations. While modern psychology typically views dreams as related to inner emotions rather than fortunes, some individuals still consult dream interpretation books or apps that list ‘crying equals joy’ as one possible meaning. This belief finds modest resonance among practitioners of esoteric studies, holistic lifestyles, and tarot-based dream readings where symbolic inversion remains popular. However, it is not widely accepted in scientific or psychological contexts.

Sources

Dreaming in the World’s Religions: A Comparative History by Kelly Bulkeley

Quick Facts

Historical Period

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Practice Type

Dream Analysis

Classification

Good Luck Superstition

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