A brief history of dreams and their interpretation
The interpretation of dreams by dream experts may be almost as
old as dreaming itself. We know that all humans, and many
animals, dream every night, and humans have always been
fascinated to learn what causes dreams and what they mean.
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 is
thought that many primitive peoples were unable to initially
distinguish between the real world and the dream world. In many
cases, these people 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.