Kissing In A Dream Isn’t Always What You Think

We humans show our affection and love for one another, and our passion through a kiss. A kiss can soothe, calm and even magically heal -a child will feel all better after their boo-boo is kissed. In many cultures, but especially in Western cultures, a kiss is often the most intimate physical expression, sometimes considered more intimate even than sexual intercourse. It’s pretty much common knowledge that prostitutes rarely kiss their clients on the mouth. This is because the kiss is recognized as a show of love and tenderness, and the services provided by a working girl (or guy) is little more than a business transaction.

In Christian societies, a kiss may also be an act of betrayal, such as the betrayal of Christ by the kiss of Judas. A kiss may also mark the beginning of the end of something, an action that marks the person or project’s demise as in ‘the kiss of death.’ It also represents a goodbye, both temporary and permanent.

In fairy tales, kisses take on a much more complex, archetypal meaning. Snow White and Sleeping Beauty were both revived by a kiss. A frog is magically transformed through the power of a kiss. In the fairy tale world the kiss is associated with rebirth; of either the physical, psychological or spiritual.

In dreams, kisses may be of the tender, loving, healing kind, the impassioned intimate kind or the complex archetypal kind. They may be symbols of transformation, rebirth, or the rekindling or ending of a relationship or project-a ‘breath of new life’ or ‘the kiss of death’ delivered via the lips.

In dreams, a kiss isn’t just a kiss. It has to be understood in context. Is the kiss a simple peck on the cheek from a relative? This type of kiss could signify a need for, or actual, approval from people in authority or parental figures. If you’re shying away from or avoiding the kiss it might mean that you’re feeling smothered by those in authority or you may feel that you’re being made to feel childish. Are you kissing a child, an animal, an inanimate object? Perhaps this is a suggestion that some healing needs to take place, or that you need to welcome this new aspect, situation or character into your life.

Kissing someone with whom you’re involved can indicate either a desire for closeness if it’s missing, or may be an expression of deep affection for that person even on a subconscious level.

Dreams of kissing someone of the same sex, if you’re heterosexual, can indicate a need for self-love or may indicate approval of self. And again, may be suggestive of deep affection, plain and simple.

If you’re kissing someone you’re not attracted to, or if the kiss is unwanted or makes you feel uncomfortable, the dream may indicate feelings of betrayal as forced kissing is a violation; of intimacy, of choice, of boundaries and of your body. These are the kisses that indicate you’re feeling overwhelmed or over-pressured by someone or something in your life. Look at who is involved in the kiss to provide a clue to who or what the situation is. But, this type of kiss may also be a clue to feeling victimized or bullied/forced into actions or activities you are against.

The long, hungry desired kiss may represent, in your dream, a longing for something. The longing may be for love and intimacy, but it can also express longing for something missing in other areas of your life. For example, if you dream of kissing an actor this may be a play on words. It can mean you’re longing for the ability to take action in some area of your life.

If a kiss is given to an animal, this may suggest a longing to return to or recover your true, uninhibited and unstifled nature. These are just some possible meanings. As always, the context, words and characters must be taken into consideration.

Other Possible Meanings:

Kissing someone you like and want may simply be wish fulfillment.

Kissing a faceless person can be demonstrating that your basic desire/s is being met.

Kissing someone you know casually and not romantically may represent recognition of harmonious vibrations.

Kissing a celebrity may be suggesting that you need to, or are trying to boost your self-worth.

Kisses with adulterous passionate overtones may mean that it’s time to spice up the romance.

Kissing is the start of passion for just about any age group. Whether it’s young lovers stealing a kiss at the front door, or a mature married couple kissing tenderly on their 25th anniversary, a kiss is usually about love, passion and tenderness.

A kiss from a lover, under happy circumstances, presages happiness and contentment.

A kiss from a stranger implies an unexpected gift.

A kiss can represent affection, joy, coming success, or a wish to be close to someone.

An unwanted kiss may indicate upcoming overtures from someone you don’t especially like or care for.

If you’re kissing a close friend, then the suggestion may simply be a reminder of your respect and feelings for your friend. On the other hand, it may be implying that you’re seeking some intimate closeness that is lacking in some waking relationship. It may or may not signify a romantic interest for him or her.

To dream that you’re kissing someone’s hand, signifies respect.

To see others kissing in your dream suggests that you are too involved in their personal lives and relationship. You need to give them some space.

In general, kissing is a token of affection and suggests warmth, happiness, appreciation, passion, tenderness and connection. However, there is always the negative connotations to consider. A kiss may be a last kiss, a kiss off, the kiss of death, a kiss goodbye, an unwanted advance or a means of spreading a contagion.

To determine what the kiss represents in a particular dream make note of who is involved in the kiss, where the kiss is taking place, how you (the dreamer) react to the kiss and the character, and what other elements are included in the dream. Also, make note of if the dream is primarily positive or negative.

By answering these questions, you should be able to determine what your kissing dream is trying to tell you.

Terry Gillis is a dream analyst, investigator, researcher and author with more than 3 decades of experience working with dreams.

She would like to invite you to join her growing dream community by submitting questions and/or posting your dreams on her blog, and to participate in her ongoing research.