Carl Gustav Jung did not view dreams as random images, but as messages from the unconscious. According to Jung, a dream reveals what often remains hidden in daily consciousness. Dreams can therefore help you understand yourself better.
An important idea of Jung’s is that people have not only a personal unconscious, but also a collective unconscious. Ancient images and patterns are stored within it that recur across cultures. Jung called these images archetypes. Examples include the wise old man, the mother, the hero, or the shadow.
The shadow plays a major role in his work. These are parts of yourself that you would rather not see or that you suppress. In dreams, these parts can become visible in symbolic form. According to Jung, it is important not to push that shadow away, but to learn to understand it. That helps with inner growth.
Jung therefore viewed dreams not only as a processing of experiences, but also as an attempt by the psyche to restore balance. A dream can warn, provide direction, or make hidden feelings visible.
His work has had a major influence on psychology, spirituality, art, and modern ideas regarding personal development and awareness.