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
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 Greeks and
In the Roman world, 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 context in ancient Egypt, and priests there
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
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 in the modern world.
Some Indigenous 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.