The interpretation of
dreams dates back at least as far as 3000-4000 B.C. We
know that because the interpretations of dreams were recorded in permanent
form on clay tablets. It's thought that many primitive peoples were unable
to initially distinguish between the real world and the dream
world. In many cases, they looked upon the dream world as an
extension of the physical world around them, and in many cases they saw
the dream world as more powerful than the waking one.
Dream interpretation was such an
important field to the ancient Greek and Roman world that dream
interpreters often accompanied generals and other military leaders into
battles. Dreams were taken extremely seriously, and the Greeks and Romans
in particular often viewed dreams as messages sent by their
gods.
Dreams also had a religious
content in ancient Egypt, and priests their doubled as dream
interpreters. Dreams were among the items recorded by the ancient
Egyptians in the form of hieroglyphics. Those whose dreams were
especially vivid or significant were thought to be blessed and were given
special status in these ancient societies. Likewise, people who were
able to interpret dreams were thought to receive these gifts directly from
the gods, and they enjoyed a special status in society as well.
There are over 700 mentions of
dreams in the bible, and people in biblical times saw dreams as very
significant. Dreams and their interpretations are mentioned in many
of the most significant books of the bible and other holy
scriptures.
In many cases, dreams were
often seen as a form of prophecy. People often interpreted
their dreams as omens or warnings, and adjusted their activities
accordingly. Dreams were often thought of as omens from deities,
as messages from spirits, or as messages from departed
souls. In some cases, dreams were even seen as the work of
demons, meant to confuse and trouble the dreamer.
Dreams were so important that they
often dictated the actions of political and military leaders, affecting
everything from the prosecution of a battle to the outcome of a political
decision. Dreams were also thought to provide vital clues to
healers, and they were used in the diagnosis and treatment of all
manners of illness.
Dreaming was often looked upon by
indigenous peoples as a way to commune directly with gods and
spirits, and dreams are still used in this way by cultures around
the world. Many people believed, and some still do, that during dream
sleep the soul leaves the body and communes with the spirit
world.
The Chinese were one culture who believed that the soul left the
body each night during dream sleep. They believed that if the
dreamer were suddenly awakened the soul may not be able to return to the
body. That is why some Chinese are still leery about the use of
alarm clocks. This is just one example of how ancient legends can linger
into the modern world.
Some Mexican and Native American
societies share this ancient view of the importance of dreams, and share
the belief in a separate dimension that is visited during dream sleep.
These people believed that their departed ancestors lived in their dreams,
and that they were able to take forms like animals and plants. Thus dreams
were seen as a way for them to commune with their recent and ancient
ancestors, and to gather wisdom and knowledge that would serve them in
their waking lives. Dreams were also seen as ways to gather
information about their purpose or mission in life.
The respect for dreams changed
radically early in the 19th century, and dreams in that era were often
dismissed as reactions to anxiety, outside noises or even bad food and
indigestion. During this period
of time, dreams were thought to
have no meaning at all, and interest in dream interpretation all but
evaporated. This all changed, however, with the arrival of Sigmund Freud
later in the 19th century. Sigmund Freud stunned the world
of psychiatry by stressing the importance of dreams, and he
revived the once dead art of dream interpretation.
