Dreams about being naked are a common theme at bedtime. If you or a loved one has been covering this ground at night, you may have questions about what it all might mean. As part of a Huffington Post series on dreams and their meanings, we spoke to Richard Nicoletti, J.D., a Jungian psychotherapist trained at the Jung Institute in Boston, to get expert advice about the meanings of your or your loved one’s dreams about being naked. Note: While dream analysis is highly subjective, this post might provide some insight into why this dream occurred or is recurring.
What do dreams about this subject mean?Dreams about being naked may indicate an inflated sense of self. "Like the fairy tale of the king with no clothes, the person is showing himself to be much more than he is," says Nicoletti, "and the dream diminishes the person." He adds that in Jungian theory, "it's not likely to be sexual."
What can I learn about myself from dreaming about being naked?"You should look at your attitude of grandeur," Nicoletti advises. "You may need to be taken down a peg."
Are there any tricks to avoiding or inducing dreams about being naked?Nicoletti believes this type of dream should be welcomed."It's so informative," he says. "One might want to avoid nightmares, but a dream about being naked shouldn't cause shame or guilt."
Beyond analysis, what cultural symbolism can be found in dreams about being naked?"If the person is from a culture where nudity is the norm -- as with some Polynesian and African tribes, as well as Western nudists -- the nudity would not be remarkable," Nicoletti explains. On the other hand, he says, "If the person was someone from a culture where even showing a neck or ankle is taboo, it might be more problematic, or a reflection that the cultural taboos are excessive."
Who tends to have dreams about being naked most frequently?Dreams about being naked affect no single demographic more than others. according to Nicoletti, "It's something that is universal."
Instead of a dream about being naked, what is the significance of a dream about being clothed or clothing?Just like dreams about being naked, particular pieces of clothing in dreams can have meaning, too. "Sometimes people dream about wearing a decorative piece of clothing, which might mean that the person feels shy or rejected," says Nicoletti. "For example, if a woman dreams about wearing a fancy Easter hat, she might be timid and not looking at herself as beautiful."
Richard Nicoletti, J.D., was a lawyer for 37 years before retiring in 2000 and going on to study at the Jung Institute of Boston. He currently lives in Keene, New Hampshire, where he has taught classes at the Continuing Education Program at Keene State College and practices Jungian psychotherapy at Monadnock Family Services, as well as his own private practice.