Dream dictionary: Betrayal. What does a dream about a betrayal mean?

What does a dream about a betrayal mean?

A dream about a betrayal is rarely a prophecy. In dream dictionaries it signifies rather a fear of losing closeness or a neglect of a relationship.

The most common variants of the dream

• a partner betrays: insecurity, a need for reassurance of affection
• you betray: a sense of guilt or a longing for something new
• a friend's betrayal: apprehension about being disappointed
• forgiveness: reconciliation

What psychology says

Psychologists stress that dreams about betrayal speak more often of our own fears than of a partner's behaviour.

In English-speaking tradition

In English-speaking folklore and popular culture, dreams of betrayal have long been linked to anxieties about trust and loyalty rather than to literal prediction; the proverb "keep your friends close and your enemies closer" reflects a cultural wariness that colours such dreams. Classic English dream books of the nineteenth century, such as those in the tradition of the "Universal Dream Dictionary," commonly interpreted dreaming of being betrayed as a warning to be more discerning in one's choice of companions. The idiom "to stab someone in the back" is so deeply embedded in British and American vernacular that it naturally infuses the emotional texture of betrayal dreams with imagery of hidden treachery. Shakespeare's treatment of betrayal in plays such as Othello and Julius Caesar has given English-speaking culture enduring archetypes — jealousy, false friendship, and broken trust — that resonate strongly with the symbolism attached to such dreams.

A question for yourself

What is missing for me in my relationship?

Write your answer down right after waking up. The dreamer understands a dream best; the dictionary is only a hint.

Other dreams in the dictionary

All entries: Dream dictionary A–Z.

Frequently asked questions

What does a dream about a betrayal mean?

A dream about a betrayal is rarely a prophecy. In dream dictionaries it signifies rather a fear of losing closeness or a neglect of a relationship.

Is a dream about a betrayal a bad sign?

The dictionary describes dreams as symbols, not predictions. The meaning depends on the emotions in the dream and on your situation; the same image can be a good sign or a warning.