A Dictionary of Dream Symbols

by Eric Ackroyd
(see also Mandala; entries for particular flowers: e.g. Rose, etc.)

(1) A flower may symbolize what Jung called ‘the Self: the true self; the fundamental order and beauty of the psyche. (For ‘SelP) (In Eastern mystic-meditative traditions, particularly the Taoist and Zen Buddhist, meditation on a flower is recommended as a means of promoting inner healing.)

(2) An asymmetrical flower — for example, with one petal much larger than the others, or in which what should be the centre of the flower is actually off-centre - may indicate a lack of balance in your psyche: some part / function has been developed at the expense of others; or it may be that you have lost your ‘centre’ altogether - that is, have become disorientated.

If so, you may need to put aside externally or intellectually imposed values and rediscover your inner centre, where you will find the values that are right for you. (This does not mean an

out-and-out relativity of values. The values that correspond to your individual ‘destiny’ will be seen to centre on love, which means awareness of the oneness of all life and ensures respect for other people.)

(3) The flower in your dream may be a reminder of the beauty and stillness of Nature, and of the need to get back to that beauty and stillness in yourself; a reminder that just being, and letting the ground- plan of your life unfold itself, is more important than (external) achieving.

Little Giant Encyclopedia

by Klaus Vollmar
Traditional symbol for emotions (“Say it with flowers”). Beauty and fertility. Growing and fading away, like life. Expectations of and hope for love and relationships. Important is the type and the color of the flower. Red roses point to sexual love, white roses and other flowers point to innocence, blue flowers to the strength of the soul and emotions. Snowdrops point to overcoming the cold of winter, asters to autumn and death. Picking flowers is considered a symbol of sexual experience.

In the Middle Ages, flowers with broken stems meant sexual intercourse. In India, in dream interpretations, the flower is the symbol of the highest pleasure. In Freud’s dream interpretations, the flower is dealt with extensively and symbolizes women, tenderness, female genitals and genitals in general, as in Blossoms (see Anais Nin’s The Delta of Venus).

According to C. G. Jung, flowers represent emotions / feelings.

Ten Thousand Dream Interpretation

by Gustavus Hindman Miller
To dream of seeing flowers blooming in gardens, signifies pleasure and gain, if bright-hued and fresh; white denotes sadness. Withered and dead flowers, signify disappointments and gloomy situations.

For a young woman to receive a bouquet of mixed flowers, foretells that she will have many admirers.

To see flowers blooming in barren soil without vestage of foliage, foretells you will have some grievous experience, but your energy and cheerfulness will enable you to climb through these to prominence and happiness. ``Held in slumber’s soft embrace, She enters realms of flowery grace, Where tender love and fond caress, Bids her awake to happiness.’’ See Bouquet.