Dreams come in an array of types. For example, a dream, of several family members at a festive time of the year, would indicate a family gathering at a future date. This type dream can be called a futuristic dream. Another type is the warning dream. In this setting a dream typically provides a few details indicative of a mishap in some form.
Warnings can help prevent accidents.
Then there are the dreams containing symbols. By definition, symbols represent or suggest other things than what are seen in the actual dream. Symbol type dreams are not only the most common, but also the most puzzling to understand. Although symbols have been around for centuries, the hidden meanings are still perplexing. A good number of books have been published to aid people in defining the meanings.