Being shot in a dream can provoke anger, fear and a lot of confusion but there are practical ways to understanding and interpreting exactly what it means, especially if these types of scenarios are recurring.
As the dreamer, we often feel victimized, or hurt by the hands of another. Sometimes in these dreams we actually experience death but most often, it is the impact that is strongest component.
How we are shot, by what, and by who can give us different meanings.
Arrows
Being shot with an arrow or multiple arrows often leads us to question challenges, conflicts and difficulties with matters of the heart. Many traditional images portray a heart with an arrow drawn through it, or even picture the romantic notion of Robin Hood shooting an arrow into a bulls-eye for his honor and to win the love of his Maid Marion. However, some dreams portray very different scenarios such as those with a historical context of axes, arrows, and stones.
If someone is shot with a single arrow and can see the assailant, the interpretation would lead to a competition or rivalry, including undertones of jealousy when it comes to a relationship or partner. Who is it that is trying to attach to their already taken loved one? Or how about having to fight for the attention of another who has not yet become a partner to them? What is it about love that has such an impact that it could spark rivalry?
If the dreamer is shot with multiple arrows, this would indicate feeling bombarded by matters of the heart. This could be jealousy but often, this would indicate harsh words or judgments by friends and family members that pertain to a chosen mate. For example, a daughter-in-law that his family dislikes and makes verbal jabs against her to him. In a sense, this is a battle of words but can be overwhelming and cause emotional “bleeding” or even death to the relationship.
If the dreamer is the one who is shooting arrows, he or she needs to ask themselves who it is they are trying to compete with. Where is there a need for such a battle? What emotions are they suppressing that could be “shot” out one day when they lose their temper? What do they have to fight so hard for when it comes to love or companionship?
Guns
Guns have a similar context in the fact there is some form of conflict but guns represent something different. Instead of matters of the heart, guns represent dominance or a fight for survival and usually this pertains to lifestyle, social status or even career. Guns represent quick-to-action responses and defenses and depending on the type of gun or how many gunmen there are, the dreamer can determine the seriousness of the fight.
If the dream takes on an urban appeal with gang members or a type of gang mentality with assailants shooting to kill the dreamer, the tone of the dream comes across as the dreamer feeling overwhelmed by the majority and gives in to the imaginings of his or her biggest fears. The dreamer in life is being overwhelmed, overworked and feels weaker against the majority. Urban areas represent something manmade rather than natural so this can be more of a fight for survival of a financial status, social status or position of some kind that competes with the fellow man.
In a natural setting such as field, mountain, or park area, the dreamer is stepping into an environment that is cognitively very natural and familiar. For example, they are on familiar territory, even though in the dream they may be navigating through scenes they don’t recognize. Nature and the outdoors reveal who the dreamer is in a natural setting. So if the dreamer is the one being shot but cannot see the gunman, this shows that it is natural for them to feel stricken, shot, or hurt by others words.
It is natural for them to be on the defense, watching every move that others make and keeping others at arm’s length. If the dreamer is the shooter and cannot see the target, it shows a similar defensiveness but they feel they are the one in control of the situation.
If the dreamer is a shooter but is hunting an animal in a dream, this shows a need to survive, and the instinct to do whatever it takes to survive. If the dreamer is watching an animal get shot, it shows in real life they are surrounded by others who are willing to do whatever it takes to survive. Depending on the reaction the dreamer has to the animal being shot, he or she will know whether or not this is an ally or adversary.
Tanks or Bombs
This would represent a conflict with political power, political or governmental organizations or policies. If the dreamer is the victim, then it would be interpreted that the dreamer feels victimized by these organizations and it’s come down to a fight for survival. Or, if the dreamer is riding in a tank or operating a bombing system on a large scale, it would be interpreted that the dreamer in real life is willing to wage war against a nation, government or policy for a moral victory, or to stand up for a noble cause.
In a Car
If the dreamer is in a car and is being shot at, then it shows they are moving through a situation that is a really close call with someone or something they are in a conflict with. Depending on if they get away determines the outcome or projected outcome in real life. It’s a narrow escape. Or, if the person is in a parked car and is shooting at a target who cannot see them, this shows in real life they want to confront someone or something but haven’t done so yet. This is more of an emotional release dream to release frustration over a situation they are conflicted by.
In a War
Sometimes, on occasion, people will dream of being shot in a war. Depending on the nature of the dream, this can potentially be a deep soul recall memory of a past life experience. Sometimes however, this can represent an individual feeling at war with an agency, an ideal, a country, a policy and so on. It represents something much bigger than they are, but they are not alone in the fight.
Death
For those who dream of being shot and dying from it often experience a conclusion, possibly finality to whatever conflict they have been at war with. If the dreamer is the shooter and the target is killed by their shot, it shows they are the ones who are ending whatever conflict has been experienced.
Dream Interpretations Conclusion
As you can see, there are many way to interpret a dream. Sometimes we can wake up in a cold sweat, shaking, and scared because of a dream we had. Other times we wake up feeling great because of the dreams we had. Interpreting dreams is of course not an exact science, but there is plenty of evidence that suggests that dreams are all about issues that worry us in life. Our subconscious and dreams can tell us a great deal about what concerns all of us in life.
© Debbie Edwards