In biblical dream interpretation, seeing a person often serves as a symbolic stand-in for the dreamer, a messenger, or a spiritual lesson. Familiar individuals may represent personal relationships, moral challenges, or facets of the dreamer's own character, as seen in Joseph's dreams (Genesis 37). Unknown or faceless figures can be interpreted as angels, divine messengers, or manifestations of God's will in mysterious forms (Hebrews 13:2). Crowds may symbolize the broader faith community, unity among believers, or spiritual trials faced collectively (Acts 2). A threatening or pursuing person can represent spiritual warfare, temptation, or the struggle against sin (Ephesians 6:12).

In Buddhist dream analysis, people represent aspects of the self, attachments, or karmic influences. Familiar people may symbolize habitual patterns or emotional attachments, while unknown persons can indicate unrecognized aspects of mind or potential for awakening. Crowds may reflect the illusion of separateness or the interconnectedness of all beings (anatta, interdependence). Threatening people can symbolize inner obstacles or unwholesome mental states (kleshas) to be transformed.

Culturally, the meaning of seeing a person in a dream varies widely. In many societies, familiar people represent important relationships, social roles, or status. Unknown individuals may symbolize change, opportunity, or the unknown. Crowds can reflect societal values, collective anxieties, or the individual's place within the community. Threatening people often embody fears, social tensions, or conflicts relevant to the dreamer's cultural context.

In Hindu dream interpretation, seeing a person may reflect the atman (self) or maya (illusion). Familiar people can indicate karmic bonds, unresolved desires, or lessons from past lives. Unknown persons may be divine messengers or aspects of the dreamer's consciousness. Crowds can symbolize the play of maya and the multiplicity of existence. Threatening people may represent negative karma or inner demons (asuras) that require attention and transformation.

In Islamic dream interpretation (ta'bir), seeing a person may symbolize the dreamer, someone significant in their life, or a spiritual entity. Ibn Sirin notes that familiar people often reflect real-life relationships or shared traits. Unknown or faceless individuals might represent angels, jinn, or undiscovered aspects of the self. Crowds can signify the ummah (Muslim community) or collective responsibilities. Being chased or threatened by a person may point to unresolved fears, sins, or the necessity for repentance, as illustrated in the story of Yusuf (Qur'an 12:36-41).

Psychologically, people in dreams are projections of the dreamer's inner world. Familiar individuals often embody aspects of the dreamer's personality, unresolved conflicts, or significant relationships (Jung's shadow archetype). Unknown or faceless people symbolize unconscious material, hidden potential, or anxieties. Crowds may represent social pressures, the desire for acceptance, or feelings of anonymity. Threatening figures typically reflect internal conflicts, repressed emotions, or fears needing integration.

From a spiritual perspective, encountering a person in a dream may indicate a guide, a soul connection, or a mirror for self-reflection. Familiar people can signal karmic ties or spiritual lessons, while unknown figures may represent spiritual guides, ancestors, or messengers. Crowds might symbolize collective consciousness or the interconnectedness of all beings. Threatening individuals could point to spiritual blockages or lessons awaiting integration.