Shoulders

These often link to themes of strength or contact with another person in the dream. They express the ability to bear or to carry whatever life brings. Again and again the words ‘head on my shoulder’ or ‘arms around their shoulders’ appear in people’s dreams, suggesting warmth, friendship, but perhaps not full intimacy.

Another frequent theme is the person touching you – or you touching someone – on the shoulder. What is depicted here is someone trying to get your attention or make contact in a gentle and acceptable way.

The size of the shoulder features sometimes, and depicts the sense of strength you have about yourself or the character of the person in the dream. So large shoulders show a lot of strength to hold, carry or support someone, or to accomplish something. Small shoulders suggest the opposite.

Idioms: cold shoulder; have broad shoulders; shoulder to the wheel; shoulder to cry on; rub shoulders with; chip on the shoulder; lay the blame on your shoulders; straight from the shoulder; head and shoulders above; look over your shoulder; shoulder to shoulder.

Useful Questions and Hints:

Is the dream suggesting contact or support – and how does that connect with my life at present?

Is something happening to link with carrying someone or something, and am I managing it?

Is something or someone trying to get my attention – if so can I link this with my waking life?

It might help to read Acting on your dream and Characters and People in Dreams