Recurring dream since childhood where I am running away from an older male figure that wants to kill me and I start flapping my arms and flying, only to be grabbed by the ankle and dragged back down before waking up.
Dreams featuring a chase or a sense of danger often reflect feelings of anxiety or stress in your waking life. The older male figure may symbolize authority, control, or a challenge that you feel is overwhelming. This figure could represent a person or situation that you find threatening or oppressive.
Your ability to fly in the dream suggests an innate desire for freedom, escape, or a way to rise above your problems. Flying often symbolizes a longing for independence or liberation from responsibilities or fears. However, getting grabbed and dragged back down indicates feelings of being pulled back by those issues, despite your attempts to escape them.
The fact that this dream has recurred since childhood may imply that these themes have been long-standing in your life. It could be beneficial to reflect on any ongoing stressors or unresolved issues that might be causing these feelings of fear and the desire to escape.
Overall, your dream may be prompting you to confront whatever the older male figure represents in your life, whether it's a fear, a situation, or a relationship that requires attention. Consider what aspects of your life you feel constrained by and look for ways to address them, as that could reduce the frequency or intensity of this dream.