1. The History of Dream Interpretation Psychology 5060 Jamie Wilson, M.S.

2. Common Themes in Ancient Dream Interpretation Dreams originated outside the dreamer typically from a higher power Dreams originated outside the dreamer typically from a higher power The future was fated and could be told in dreams The future was fated and could be told in dreams The ancient cultures were all profoundly convinced of the significance in dreams The ancient cultures were all profoundly convinced of the significance in dreams Dream interpretation influenced the most serious of all personal, political, and economic decisions Dream interpretation influenced the most serious of all personal, political, and economic decisions They developed: They developed: Methods to distinguish good from evil dreams Methods to distinguish good from evil dreams Rituals for preparing dreamers to receive good dreams as well as rituals to ward off evil dreaming Rituals for preparing dreamers to receive good dreams as well as rituals to ward off evil dreaming Dictionaries for interpreting dream symbols Dictionaries for interpreting dream symbols Designations of who could interpret dreams Designations of who could interpret dreams

3. Mesopotamians Around 3000 B.C. Around 3000 B.C. The Sumerians, the first cultural group to reside in Mesopotamia, left dream records dating back to 3100 B.C. The Sumerians, the first cultural group to reside in Mesopotamia, left dream records dating back to 3100 B.C. According to these early writings, deities and royals, such as the 7th century B.C. scholar-king Assurbanipal, gave careful attention to dreams (e.g., King Gilgamesh). According to these early writings, deities and royals, such as the 7th century B.C. scholar-king Assurbanipal, gave careful attention to dreams (e.g., King Gilgamesh). Three types of early dreams: Three types of early dreams: Message Dreams Message Dreams Mantic Dreams Mantic Dreams Symbolic Dreams Symbolic Dreams

4. Egyptians They interpreted dreams as being messages from the gods They interpreted dreams as being messages from the gods Egyptian dream books from about 2000 B.C. listed types of dreams and suggested what each type meant for the future of the dreamer Egyptian dream books from about 2000 B.C. listed types of dreams and suggested what each type meant for the future of the dreamer Serapis was the Egyptian god of dreams and serapims were dream temples where people went to have dreams induced Serapis was the Egyptian god of dreams and serapims were dream temples where people went to have dreams induced

5. Greeks Earliest Greek view was that a god made a visit during a dream Earliest Greek view was that a god made a visit during a dream They also thought that sleeping in special temples and going through elaborate rituals allowed people to gain access to dreams that foretold the future or prescribed cures for illnesses (e.g., Aesclepius at Epidaurus) They also thought that sleeping in special temples and going through elaborate rituals allowed people to gain access to dreams that foretold the future or prescribed cures for illnesses (e.g., Aesclepius at Epidaurus) Hippocrates Hippocrates During the day, the soul receives images; during the night, it produces images. Therefore, we dream. During the day, the soul receives images; during the night, it produces images. Therefore, we dream. Plato Plato Thought that our reasoning ability was suspended during sleep Thought that our reasoning ability was suspended during sleep Aristotle Aristotle Dreams could be indicators of conditions within the body. He did not believe they were divinely inspired. Dreams could be indicators of conditions within the body. He did not believe they were divinely inspired. 100 A.D. -- Artemidorus wrote Oneirocritica (The Interpretation of Dreams) which can be considered the great-grandfather of all dream books 100 A.D. -- Artemidorus wrote Oneirocritica (The Interpretation of Dreams) which can be considered the great-grandfather of all dream books He presented a taxonomy of dreams and urged flexibility in dream interpretation for the individual He presented a taxonomy of dreams and urged flexibility in dream interpretation for the individual

6. Romans Generally, influenced by the Greeks and had several shrines for dream incubation Generally, influenced by the Greeks and had several shrines for dream incubation Emperor Augustus ruled that anyone who had a dream about the state must proclaim it in the market place. Emperor Augustus ruled that anyone who had a dream about the state must proclaim it in the market place. Every Roman Legion had a soothsayer to try and make sense of 'nocturnal visions'. Every Roman Legion had a soothsayer to try and make sense of 'nocturnal visions'. Cicero believed that dreams were not from the gods (similar to Aristotle) Cicero believed that dreams were not from the gods (similar to Aristotle) If they really were from the gods then why didn’t the gods send the messages when people were awake and better able to receive information? If they really were from the gods then why didn’t the gods send the messages when people were awake and better able to receive information?

7. Religious Writings of Ancient Times Babylonian Talmud, compiled between 200 B.C. and 200 A.D., had 270 references to dreams Babylonian Talmud, compiled between 200 B.C. and 200 A.D., had 270 references to dreams Most quoted saying from the Talmud is from Rabbi Hisda who said, “An uninterpreted dream is like an unread letter.” Most quoted saying from the Talmud is from Rabbi Hisda who said, “An uninterpreted dream is like an unread letter.” Old and New Testaments of the Bible have many accounts of the work of dream interpreters in decoding prophetic dreams Old and New Testaments of the Bible have many accounts of the work of dream interpreters in decoding prophetic dreams E.g., Joseph interpreted the Pharaoh’s dream of the seven fat cattle and seven lean cattle E.g., Joseph interpreted the Pharaoh’s dream of the seven fat cattle and seven lean cattle

8. Non-Western Ideas Dream dictionaries have been found in India and China Dream dictionaries have been found in India and China Sacred Vedas of India, written between 1500 and 1000 B.C. gave specific interpretations of dreams Sacred Vedas of India, written between 1500 and 1000 B.C. gave specific interpretations of dreams Chinese thought that the soul temporarily left the body to communicate with the dead during dreams Chinese thought that the soul temporarily left the body to communicate with the dead during dreams Images in dreams were thought to have specific meanings Images in dreams were thought to have specific meanings Sun/moon rising – one’s family would prosper Sun/moon rising – one’s family would prosper Orchard loaded with fruit – one would have many offspring Orchard loaded with fruit – one would have many offspring Teeth falling out – one’s parents were in danger Teeth falling out – one’s parents were in danger

9. Non-Western Ideas In Africa, not only the gods, but also as-yet-unborn, living, and dead family members were thought to communicate with the dreamer through dreams Native American tribes often believed that dreams were life’s most important experiences Iroquois believed that dreams were divinely inspired Some tribes believed that wishes expressed in dreams needed to be acted out in waking life Mapuche Indians of Chile shared their dreams daily within the family unit

10. 0-1900 A.D. Important in Islamic world Important in Islamic world Muhammad drew his inspiration for developing the Muslim religion and for his military conquests from his dreams Muhammad drew his inspiration for developing the Muslim religion and for his military conquests from his dreams They were influenced by the Greeks but sought dreams by reciting prayers during the day They were influenced by the Greeks but sought dreams by reciting prayers during the day The Greek Orthodox branch of Christianity continued to value dreams The Greek Orthodox branch of Christianity continued to value dreams Writings of Synesius, a fifth century bishop, sound like modern dream interpretation Writings of Synesius, a fifth century bishop, sound like modern dream interpretation He said dreams could be imaginative, prophetic, and problem-solving, but he thought that dream books were of little help in understanding the dreams of a specific individual He said dreams could be imaginative, prophetic, and problem-solving, but he thought that dream books were of little help in understanding the dreams of a specific individual Western Christian church founders also valued dreams Western Christian church founders also valued dreams 3rd Century – Tertulian wrote that dreams were gifts from God, but that people were not accountable for feelings and actions in their dreams 3rd Century – Tertulian wrote that dreams were gifts from God, but that people were not accountable for feelings and actions in their dreams

11. 0-1900 A.D. Around 300-400 A.D., attitudes toward dreams changed in Europe Around 300-400 A.D., attitudes toward dreams changed in Europe Jerome, a wealthy man who became a Bible scholar and consultant after having a nightmare, mistranslated the Hebrew word for witchcraft, “anan,” as “observing dreams.” Jerome, a wealthy man who became a Bible scholar and consultant after having a nightmare, mistranslated the Hebrew word for witchcraft, “anan,” as “observing dreams.” This caused dream interpretation to be changed from a spiritual activity to a superstitious one in the eyes of the Catholic church during this time. This caused dream interpretation to be changed from a spiritual activity to a superstitious one in the eyes of the Catholic church during this time. About the same time, Macrobius wrote about nightmares in which demons possessed people sexually during dreams, which further fueled the paranoia about evil spirits. About the same time, Macrobius wrote about nightmares in which demons possessed people sexually during dreams, which further fueled the paranoia about evil spirits. 11th century, Thomas Aquinas issued warnings about demons and dreams 11th century, Thomas Aquinas issued warnings about demons and dreams The medieval Catholic Church suggested that dreams were not from God and must be ignored The medieval Catholic Church suggested that dreams were not from God and must be ignored

12. 0-1900 A.D. After the Middle Ages, the philosophical and scientific community began to rethink dreams, dissociating them from demons and devils and associating them with scientific inquiry After the Middle Ages, the philosophical and scientific community began to rethink dreams, dissociating them from demons and devils and associating them with scientific inquiry Scientists began to emphasize the physical or somatic features of dreams Scientists began to emphasize the physical or somatic features of dreams Locke, in 1690, proposed that dreams were determined by sensory inputs Locke, in 1690, proposed that dreams were determined by sensory inputs Wundt stated that dreams arose mainly from sensory stimuli Wundt stated that dreams arose mainly from sensory stimuli Others began writing about dreams during the 19th century (e.g., Seafield) Others began writing about dreams during the 19th century (e.g., Seafield)

13. Psychoanalytic Theories 1900, Freud wrote the Interpretation of Dreams Influential in changing the view that dreams are caused by external sources to the view that dreams are generated by a result of intrapsychic conflict Primary method of dream interpretation = free association He had a list of commons symbols that could be used to interpret dream images, most of which was sexual in nature. Free Dream Interpretation Guide Free Dream Interpretation Guide

14. Psychoanalytic Theories Jung viewed dreams as a normal, creative expression of the unconscious He viewed dreams as a key to unite the conscious and unconscious by helping dreamers become aware of these hidden feelings Jung focused on the manifest content of the dream to see what is revealed rather than concealed Jung believed that dreams should be interpreted in whatever way dreamers find most useful Associations were a primary technique used

15. Psychoanalytic Theories Alfred Adler believed that dreams function to preserve the unity of one’s personality and sense of self-worth Dreams are purposeful and congruent with the lifestyle of the dreamer He considered dreaming to be an attempt to solve problems and to provide guidance for the future Also thought that dreams achieve their purpose by employing emotion and mood rather than reason and judgment His clinical recommendations for working with dreams are vague

16. References Brandell, J. R. (2004). Eighty years of dream sequences: A cinematic journey down Freud’s royal road. American Imago, 61(1), 59-76. Hill, C.E. (1996). Working with dreams in psychotherapy. New York: Guilford. Keegan, E. (2003). Flechsig and Freud: Late 19 th century neurology and the emergence of psychoanalysis. History of Psychology, 6(1), 52-69. Koch-Sheras, P. R., & Lemley, A. (1998). The dream sourcebook: A guide to the theory and interpretation of drams (2 nd ed.). Chicago: NTC Contemporary. Packer, S. (2002). Dreams in myth, medicine, and movies. Westport: Greenwood Publishing Group. Pick, D., & Roper, L. (2004). Dreams and history: The interpretation of dreams from ancient Greece to modern psychoanalysis. London: Taylor & Francis.