Recent research by prominent neuroscientists purports to show that dreams are nothing more than random nerve activity in the brain, with no real purpose or meaning. I think they can signify much more. The idea that dreams hold a personal message for the dreamer has a long history. Early this century Freud revived interest in the interpretation of dreams, systematically looking beyond their conscious or manifest content to find a latent content, which he felt usually involved repressed sexual feelings or other taboo impulses. Some anthropologists accept the idea that common dream objects and actions can have similar meanings to people in the same culture.
Some dreams are so widespread in Western culture that their meaning is taken for granted.
For instance, the dream of being naked in public is usually associated with dreamers' fears of being seen for who they really are. Dreams of taking tests or missing lectures are common anxiety dreams. Dreams of trying to get somewhere and being foiled again and again often occur when dreamers have some ambivalence about actually getting somewhere or doing something. Wish-fulfillment dreams might come in the form of a personal visit from a favorite movie star. Usually you wake up from one of these dreams and know exactly what it means.