The cat symbolizes the realm of the emotions. Mostly it has an erotic significance, indicating that attitudes towards sexuality are still on an animal, perfunctory level. The cat's sexual symbolic significance is illustrated by the fact that it is more or less a tame miniature carnivore. Implicit in this is a parallel to the dreamer's own muted animal instincts. The cat indicates a certain egocentricity on the dreamer's part, as well as difficulties in making contact with the opposite sex. In the dreams of neurotic women a tomcat can, for example, be the sign of a father-complex.