Dream meaning
Being the opposite sex
The short answer
Dreaming that you are a member of the opposite sex usually reflects exploring qualities you associate with the other gender, curiosity about another perspective, or, for some, questions of identity. It is generally a neutral or interesting experience.
11.9% of people in the study had had this dream. No. 48 of the 55 typical dreams · Nielsen et al., 2003
What does a dream about “Being the opposite sex” mean?
What psychologists say
Researchers added this theme to the Typical Dreams Questionnaire. Under the continuity hypothesis, these dreams can follow conversations, media, relationships or personal questions about gender. They are not a sign of anything wrong.
Nielsen et al., 2003; Schredl & Hofmann, 2003
The Jungian reading
For Jung, every person carries an inner image of the other sex: the anima in men and the animus in women. Becoming the other sex in a dream can mean integrating those qualities.
Jung, 1964
In history and folklore
Myths of transformation, such as Tiresias in Greek legend, gave such dreams meanings of wisdom or insight. Folk dream books read them variously as change in fortune or relationships.
How common is this dream?
11.9% of people in the study had had this dream. From a survey of 1,181 first-year university students in three Canadian cities. No. 48 of the 55 typical dreams.
Common versions of this dream
Does it mean something about my identity?
Not necessarily. For most people it reflects exploring qualities or perspectives.
What if I feel comfortable?
Comfort suggests openness to sides of yourself.
What if I feel uncomfortable?
Discomfort can match unease with certain qualities in yourself or others.
Had this dream? Tell it to Oneiros.
Oneiros reads your own dream, not a dictionary entry: what it was about, how it felt and what it may mean for you, and it notices when it comes back.
Oneiros offers reflective readings for self-discovery and entertainment. It is not a medical or psychological service.
Sources
- Nielsen, T. A., Zadra, A. L., Simard, V., Saucier, S., Stenstrom, P., Smith, C., & Kuiken, D. (2003). The typical dreams of Canadian university students. Dreaming, 13(4), 211–235. doi:10.1023/B:DREM.0000003144.40929.0b
- Schredl, M., & Hofmann, F. (2003). Continuity between waking activities and dream activities. Consciousness and Cognition, 12(2), 298–308. doi:10.1016/S1053-8100(02)00072-7
- Jung, C. G. (Ed.) (1964). Man and His Symbols. Aldus Books.