We humans show our affection and love for one another, and our passion through a kiss. A kiss can soothe, calm and even magically heal -a child will feel all better after their boo-boo is kissed. In many cultures, but especially in Western cultures, a kiss is often the most intimate physical expression, sometimes considered more intimate even than sexual intercourse. It’s pretty much common knowledge that prostitutes rarely kiss their clients on the mouth. This is because the kiss is recognized as a show of love and tenderness, and the services provided by a working girl (or guy) is little more than a business transaction.

In Christian societies, a kiss may also be an act of betrayal, such as the betrayal of Christ by the kiss of Judas. A kiss may also mark the beginning of the end of something, an action that marks the person or project’s demise as in ‘the kiss of death.’ It also represents a goodbye, both temporary and permanent.

In fairy tales, kisses take on a much more complex, archetypal meaning. Snow White and Sleeping Beauty were both revived by a kiss. A frog is magically transformed through the power of a kiss. In the fairy tale world the kiss is associated with rebirth; of either the physical, psychological or spiritual.

In dreams, kisses may be of the tender, loving, healing kind, the impassioned intimate kind or the complex archetypal kind. They may be symbols of transformation, rebirth, or the rekindling or ending of a relationship or project-a ‘breath of new life’ or ‘the kiss of death’ delivered via the lips.

In dreams, a kiss isn’t just a kiss. It has to be understood in context. Is the kiss a simple peck on the cheek from a relative? This type of kiss could signify a need for, or actual, approval from people in authority or parental figures. If you’re shying away from or avoiding the kiss it might mean that you’re feeling smothered by those in authority or you may feel that you’re being made to feel childish. Are you kissing a child, an animal, an inanimate object? Perhaps this is a suggestion that some healing needs to take place, or that you need to welcome this new aspect, situation or character into your life.

Kissing someone with whom you’re involved can indicate either a desire for closeness if it’s missing, or may be an expression of deep affection for that person even on a subconscious level.

Dreams of kissing someone of the same sex, if you’re heterosexual, can indicate a need for self-love or may indicate approval of self. And again, may be suggestive of deep affection, plain and simple.

If you’re kissing someone you’re not attracted to, or if the kiss is unwanted or makes you feel uncomfortable, the dream may indicate feelings of betrayal as forced kissing is a violation; of intimacy, of choice, of boundaries and of your body. These are the kisses that indicate you’re feeling overwhelmed or over-pressured by someone or something in 918kiss your life. Look at who is involved in the kiss to provide a clue to who or what the situation is. But, this type of kiss may also be a clue to feeling victimized or bullied/forced into actions or activities you are against.

The long, hungry desired kiss may represent, in your dream, a longing for something. The longing may be for love and intimacy, but it can also express longing for something missing in other areas of your life. For example, if you dream of kissing an actor this may be a play on words. It can mean you’re longing for the ability to take action in some area of your life.

If a kiss is given to an animal, this may suggest a longing to return to or recover your true, uni