What Does It Mean to Dream About Crying? 15+ Possible Interpretations

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Discover the spiritual significance behind crying dreams

Co-authored by Layne Dalfen and Bailey Cho

Last Updated: August 4, 2025 Fact Checked

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• Spiritual Meanings
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• Religious Meanings
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• Types of Crying
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• Dream Scenarios
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• Waking Up Crying
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• Video
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• Expert Interview

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Whether you have tears running down your face or you see a loved one in distress, dreams about crying can be deeply emotional and upsetting. Dreams are believed to represent our hidden feelings and desires, so what does it mean when you physically release your emotions? In this article, we’ll explain the psychological and spiritual meaning behind crying in dreams, including what common crying dream scenarios might mean for your waking life!

What does crying in your dreams mean?

Dream interpreter Layne Dalfen says crying in a dream can represent suppressed emotions in waking life. Crying can be an outlet for you to release pent-up emotions like sadness, anger, and stress. Crying dreams might also be a way for you to process stressful or traumatic events and move forward.

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Section 1 of 5:

Spiritual Meanings

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   Dreaming about crying often indicates suppressed emotions. According to Sigmund Freud, dreams are a symbolic representation of our unconscious thoughts and desires, so crying dreams may directly relate to your emotional state in waking life. Crying in a dream can be an outlet to release pent-up emotions, such as stress, anger, guilt, or anything else you’ve kept locked inside.

   • For instance, someone who has been struggling with loneliness or sadness might have a dream where they are crying uncontrollably. In this scenario, crying allows them to let go of these bottled-up emotions.
   • Or, someone who feels stressed at work may have a crying dream to release any fears, worries, and anxieties in their professional life.
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   Crying in a dream may indicate that you have unresolved trauma. Dreams tell you things your conscious mind doesn’t want to pick up on, so crying dreams can be a way to work through emotions that are too difficult to address in waking life. If you’ve experienced a stressful or traumatic event, crying can be an effective coping mechanism to help you process the situation and move forward.

   • For example, someone who has recently lost a loved one might have difficulty expressing their grief in real life, but they could find themselves crying in their dream to cope with their loss and eventually come to terms with it.
   • If you’re struggling with a traumatic event, remember that you don’t have to heal alone! Get support from a trusted friend, family member, or therapist, and talk to them about your emotions and experiences.
   • Reader Poll: We asked 161 wikiHow readers what they find most effective for dealing with nightmares, and 49% of them said I talk about them with friends or family to process my feelings. [Take Poll]
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   Crying dreams may reflect your fear of the future. If you’re about to experience a major life change, you might dream of crying because you’re worried about the future. Your dreams could be related to changes in your personal or professional life, such as switching your career, moving to a new city, or starting a new relationship. Crying may represent your fear of losing your current lifestyle, including the people and places you’ve become comfortable with.

   • To deal with change, make a list of the positives in the situation, and remind yourself that change allows you to challenge yourself and grow as an individual. Take action to manage your stress levels by exercising, meditating, or practicing yoga.
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   Dreams of crying might be a sign to heal your inner child. Your inner child is often described as the direct representation of yourself in your younger years. If you have unresolved emotional issues from childhood, you might dream of crying as an adult because you never healed from certain situations or got closure. In this case, crying dreams are a reminder to address past wounds so you can achieve emotional stability.

   • First, identify and accept the things that caused you pain in childhood, and try to connect your feelings to specific experiences. For instance, you might have issues with feeling abandoned or insecure as an adult because your parents often canceled plans because of their work.
   • Once you address these past wounds, nurture your inner child by validating your feelings and allowing yourself to be playful. Give yourself things that you missed out on as a child, such as throwing yourself the birthday party of your dreams or buying yourself a toy you always wanted.
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Section 2 of 5:

Religious Meanings

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   Dreaming of crying could be a sign to seek forgiveness for your sins. In most major religions, dreams are interpreted as powerful messages from above, and they can represent a powerful connection to God (or whatever higher power you believe in). Crying in dreams is typically associated with repentance, or reflecting on your actions and feeling genuine remorse for any wrongdoings.

   • In Christianity, crying dreams are believed to be a pathway to speak to the Holy Spirit, and they are associated with negative emotions, such as sorrow, grief, repentance, and mourning.
   • In Islam, crying dreams may symbolize piety and humility. The dreamer might feel a deep sense of remorse for their past actions, and crying could represent their desire for forgiveness.
   • In Judaism, crying dreams may warn the dreamer to change their behavior and seek a spiritual path, especially if they’re facing a difficult situation in waking life.
   • In Hinduism, crying dreams can serve as a reminder to let go of negative emotions and strive for inner peace. The dreamer might be experiencing a spiritual transformation, and crying dreams signal progress on their journey.

Section 3 of 5:

Types of Crying

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   Crying loudly may mean you’re experiencing troubles in waking life. If you dream of sobbing, wailing, or crying hysterically, it may indicate you’re going through a painful phase in life. You might be feeling lost or helpless about the future, and your dream could be a sign to work through your emotions or seek support from others.

   • Manage your emotions by journaling and changing up your environment. Simple changes like organizing your room and getting some fresh air can improve your mood and help you relieve stress.
   • If you’re feeling lost in life, evaluate your interests to find your purpose. Ask yourself what brings you joy, and make a list of things you look forward to each day.
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   Crying silently might mean you’re a strong and patient person. Spiritually, silent tears are believed to be a sign of strength and perseverance. Dreaming of crying silently could indicate you’re processing your emotions and working through the challenges in your life. You won’t let anything hold you back, and your positive outlook might be rewarded in the near future!

   • To work toward long-term patience, understand that your expectations might not be met, and practice gratitude daily by making a list of things you’re thankful for. Even if things don’t pan out how you wanted them to, reminding yourself of the good things in your life can help you overcome negative emotions.
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   Crying in bed could be a sign to surround yourself with positivity. If you’ve been feeling sad or drained lately, this dream scenario might be warning you to observe your surroundings. Evaluate the role of people in your life and minimize contact with those who aren’t supportive. When you surround yourself with people who make you feel good, it can improve your physical, mental, and emotional health.

   • To recognize a toxic friend, observe your energy after you hang out with them. Do you feel drained or uplifted after a conversation? Tracking your mood can help you see if they’re having a negative effect on you (so you can decide whether you want to keep them around).
   • If your friend seems to drag you down, gently tell them how you feel and specify how you wish to be treated. You might say, “I feel like we only talk about what’s going on in your life, and I would appreciate it if you could be more receptive to the things I’m struggling with.”
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   Crying at a funeral may indicate you miss someone from the past. Whether this special someone passed away or moved away, dreaming of crying at a funeral can mean you wish to see them again. Crying allows you to process your emotions and figure out how to adapt to life without them.

   • If a loved one passed away, your dream might represent regret about not spending time enough with them. Accept and embrace your emotions, and try to cherish the memories you spent with this person instead. Remember, everyone copes with grief differently, and there’s no right or wrong way to express pain.
   • If a loved one moved away recently, your dream might signal you feel lost without them nearby. To cope with the distance, text them regularly, plan virtual dates, and send them surprise gifts to show your love and support.
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Section 4 of 5:

Dream Interpretation by Scenario

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   Seeing your father cry could indicate positive change on the horizon. If you’ve been struggling in your personal or professional life, the universe has got your back! Dreaming of your father crying may be a sign that something extraordinary will happen to you soon—you might secure a promotion at work, land your dream job, or receive exciting news for your love life. In the meantime, make your own luck by seizing every opportunity that comes your way.

   • Interpret this dream as a sign to put yourself out there and pursue something you’ve always wanted to do. Reflect on your goals in life, make a list of actionable tasks that will help you achieve them, then devote at least 20 minutes on a task each day until you reach your goals.
   • For instance, if you’ve always dreamed of moving to a foreign country, you could figure out the logistics of the move (obtain documents, calculate cost of living, look for accommodations), learn the country’s language and laws, and watch videos to get an idea of what it’s like to live there.
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   Seeing your mother cry suggests tough times ahead of you. Since mothers usually cry when their children are in pain, dreaming of your mom crying is often interpreted as a bad omen. If you don’t prepare for the future, you might experience a season of stress, sadness, or financial distress. Consider this dream a warning to use your time wisely and prepare for potential hardships.

   • Despite this negative dream scenario, there’s still hope for you to have a have a great future! Mothers are highly protective of their children, and your dream could mean the universe is looking after you, too. Even if life throws you challenges, identify what you can control in the situation and stay positive.
   • To overcome adversity, think about struggles you’ve faced in the past and use them as motivation to help you push through current challenges. Visualize your end goal, and remind yourself that all your efforts will eventually pay off, as long as you stay focused and patient.
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   Seeing your friend cry may be a sign to reach out to them for support. If you’re going through a difficult time, this dream scenario might be a reminder that you can always rely on the people closest to you. Instead of suppressing your emotions, open up to your friends and be vulnerable. Expressing your struggles to someone else allows you to process your emotions, better understand yourself, and move forward.

   • If you’re struggling to open up to your friends, start small. Pick one thing you want to share, such as a concern about your career or relationship, and express whether you’re looking for advice or a listening ear.
   • Alternatively, seeing your friend cry could indicate that they’re struggling with something, even if it doesn’t seem like they’re upset in real life. Show support by checking in on your friend or offering to run errands on their behalf.
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   Seeing your spouse cry could be a sign to be honest with them. Whether you see your wife or husband cry, this dream scenario may signal challenges or misunderstandings in your relationship. Maybe you’re experiencing intimacy issues with your partner, or you’re feeling neglected by them. Regardless of your situation, your subconscious is encouraging you to open up to your spouse and let them know how you feel.

   • To communicate better in your relationship, use “I” statements to express your concerns and make yourself seem less accusatory. Instead of blaming your spouse for your marital problems, center the discussion around your feelings.
   • For example, you could say, “I’ve been feeling neglected lately” rather than “You’ve been neglecting me.”
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   Seeing a dead mother cry may represent your need for affection. Since mothers are considered the primary caregivers of the family, dreaming of a deceased mother could symbolize your desire to feel loved and cared for. If you’ve been spending a lot of time alone, interpret this dream scenario as a sign to socialize and meet new people.

   • If you’re single, dreaming of a deceased mother may be a signal to open yourself up to love. Make new connections by joining dating apps, taking classes, or chatting up strangers—and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and approach people you find attractive!
   • If you’re in a relationship, this dream scenario might be a sign to be more passionate. Spice up your relationship by planning a surprise date for your partner, taking a class together, or trying something new in the bedroom.
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   Seeing a dead father cry might be a reminder to love yourself. Dreaming of a deceased father could indicate that you lack self-love. You might have a distorted image of yourself, rarely share your opinions, or let other people walk over you. If this describes your situation, this dream scenario could be a sign to be more kind and compassionate to yourself.

   • To develop self-love, reflect on your best qualities, and write down 3 things that you love about yourself. Every morning, look in the mirror and repeat these things out loud to remind yourself that you’re worthy and beautiful.
   • Treat yourself with kindness by rewarding yourself and prioritizing self-care—take yourself out to dinner, enjoy a relaxing bubble bath, or treat yourself to something you’ve had your eye on for a while.
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   Seeing a dead grandmother cry may indicate future family conflicts. If you dream of a deceased grandmother crying, it could foretell difficulties or disagreements in your family. Prepare yourself for potential challenges, and remember to remain calm during tense or heated situations.

   • To manage conflict effectively, observe the energy of the room, and hold off a conversation (or confrontation) until everyone’s emotions are under control. If your loved ones seem angry or upset, ask them to regroup in an hour to ensure they can engage in a productive discussion.
   • To avoid defensiveness and anger, focus on finding solutions to a problem, instead of blaming specific individuals for their behavior. Strive for forgiveness and encourage your family members to do the same so you can move forward and heal your relationship.
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Section 5 of 5:

What does it mean to wake up crying from a dream?

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1. 
   If you wake up crying, it may mean you’ve released some buried emotions. Even if you don’t remember the details of your dream, waking up with tears in your eyes (or tear stains on your pillow) could mean you’ve finally processed your feelings. Your body is physically letting go of thoughts and feelings that are taking a toll on your mental health, and you’re on the path to healing.

   • If possible, write down your dream in a journal so you can look for clues about why you feel upset. Recording all the details, images, and dialogues of your dream can help you understand your emotions and accelerate the healing process.

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