The elders in a tribal society traditionally had the wisdom of age and experience. Spiritually, therefore, they had the right to guide others. This gives a similar significance to them as authority figures today. It is in this sense that the Wise Old Man represents an inner wisdom. From an emotional perspective, in dreams the elderly can be accorded respect and may represent knowledge, power and understanding. The elderly in dreams can symbolize old fashioned or outdated values and methods of operating, as well as those that are to be honoured. In a womans dream the elders or the elderly may suggest a more matriarchal aspect. In a mans dream this may be more paternalistic. It will, of course, depend on whether the gender of the dream figures is recognized. You might also like to consult the entry for People.