Watch an Oscar’s acceptance speech or Olympic medal ceremony presentation and you’ll likely hear of one individual’s dream-turned-reality. We’re encouraged to dream. Dreams are what speak to the inner child within, what propels us forward into a new day, willing to embrace new adventures and pursue those lofty goals with dogged determination. Of course, there are those dreams that serve as something of a palette cleanser to the long-term aspirations; those dreams that are inspired by flirtations enjoyed by the communal office coffee machine, or the more terrifying experiences that sees a giant, human-eating hamburger on the loose.
If you’re someone who dreams wildly and often wonders just what such dreams mean, you’re not alone. Researchers have long been looking into what takes place inside our subconscious at night. Now, they’ve revealed the most common dream in every country around the world, and there’s an interesting defining feature for Australians.
Thanks to Secret Linen Store, Google search data was used to find out what the most commonly searched-for dream meaning was in over 180 countries across over 390 dream subjects. Given that we’re now two years into a pandemic, it’s safe to say that some of the subjects were far from what they might have been in years past, as it’s believed that dreams often revolve around our deepest thoughts or worries. According to the data, the world is dreaming about dogs the most, while snakes, cats and fish also make up some of the most commonly dreamt about animals.
But when it comes to Australia, our most common dream is about cheating on a partner, which also happens to be the fifth most common dream globally. North and Central America were also fantasising about infidelity it appears and while it might not be at the forefront of your mind upon waking, the dream is often perceived as the body’s way of processing complex emotions about past events. So, don’t take it too literally – it doesn’t spell disaster for any relationship in your life.
Interestingly, dreams about relationships are quite common with those in Mexico and Japan dreaming about exes. This could be a sign of healing (if you are in a recent breakup), while your subconscious is trying to help you process your feelings and move on. If you’re dreaming about an old flame, it could be a symbol of passion and that you’re looking for more excitement in your life. Meanwhile for those dreaming regularly of marriage, it doesn’t have to mean you need to sign up to the next season of MAFS. Rather, it could be a sign that you are looking for commitment in an area of your life, be it in your career, finding a new friendship, or taking up a new hobby.
Other common dreams include teeth falling out, while those in Fiji dream about fish, Tonga about being pregnant, and Papua New Guinea dreams about money. An interesting mix if ever we saw one.
