Q. How does one distinguish between a literal element in a dream and one that is symbolic?

A. If something within your dream strikes you as odd, unlikely, or out of place, chances are it has a symbolic meaning. This could be a location, action, person or object.

Q. If a dream features a person, place or thing that looked unfamiliar, but felt familiar, what does it represent?

A. If you have a sense that an unfamilar person, place or thing in a dream,

I know well in waking lifean element in a dream appears different than it is in waking life, but I have a sense that it is