Belief in portents, omens and systems of prognostication have kept dream imagery and its interpretation very much in the mainstream of Chinese popular culture. This volume presents an extensive alphabetical compilation of Chinese dream images and their meanings, as explained both in classical texts and by noted dream analysts throughout Chinese history.
The Chinese Dreamscape, 300 BCE-800 CE investigates what dreams meant in late classical and early medieval China. Mapping a common dreamscape that underlies manuals of dream interpretation, scriptural instructions, and other texts, Robert Ford Campany sheds light on how people in a distant age wrestled with--and celebrated--the strangeness of dreams.
This volume offers a comparative, cross-cultural history of dreams. The essays examine a wide range of texts concerning dreams, as culled from a rich variety of religious contexts: China, India, the Americas, classical Greek and Roman antiquity, early Christianity, and medieval Judaism and Islam. Taken together, these pieces constitute an important first step toward a new understanding of the differences and similarities between the ways in which different cultures experience the universal yet utterly unique world of dreams.
This book considers the contemporary political formula of the “Chinese Dream” in the light of the treatment of dreams in Chinese literary history since antiquity. Sinic literary and philosophical texts document an extensive spectrum of dream possibilities: starting with Zhuangzi’s eminent butterfly dream, an early example of the inversion of the dreamer’s reality, through to confusing visions of the spiritual realm. In classical dramas, novels, and ghost stories, dreams see the earthly realm enter into conflict with higher realms of existence. They indulge the dreamer’s quest for sensual pleasures, but then spiritual beings relentlessly harvest the dreamers’ life energy. Dreams promise spiritual enlightenment – only to abandon the dreamer in a state of utter confusion. In the early twentieth century, traditional dream knowledge is abandoned in favour or Freudian episodes of sexual repression. In this context, the collective national dream emerges as an unexpected vehicle of the pained individual’s hope for national rejuvenation.
The year 2019 marked a number of significant anniversaries for the People’s Republic of China (PRC), each representing different ‘Chinese dreams’. There was the centennial of the May Fourth Movement — a dream of patriotism and cultural renewal. The PRC celebrated its seventieth anniversary — a dream of revolution and national strength. It was also thirty years since the student-led Protest Movement of 1989 — dreams of democracy and free expression crushed by government dreams of unity and stability. Many of these ‘dreams’ recurred in new guises in 2019. President Xi Jinping tightened his grip on power at home while calling for all citizens to ‘defend China’s honour abroad’. Escalating violence in Hong Kong, the ongoing suppression of Uyghurs in Xinjiang, and deteriorating Sino-US relations dominated the headlines. Alongside stories about China’s advances in artificial intelligence and geneticially modified babies and its ambitions in the Antarctic and outer space, these issues fuelled discussion about what Xi’s own ‘China Dream’ of national rejuvenation means for Chinese citizens and the rest of the world. The China Story Yearbook: China Dreams reflects on these issues and more. It surveys the dreams, illusions, aspirations, and nightmares that coexisted (and clashed) in 2019 in China and beyond. As ever, we take a cross-disciplinary perspective that recognises the inextricable links between economy, politics, culture, history, language, and society. The Yearbook, with its accessible analysis of the main events and trends of the year, is an essential tool for understanding China’s growing power and influence around the world.
Dreams have been taken seriously in China for at least three millennia. Wandering Spirits is a translation and study of the most comprehensive work on dream culture in traditional China—Lofty Principles of Dream Interpretation (Mengzhan yizhi), compiled in 1562 by Chen Shiyuan and periodically reprinted up to the modern era. The best introduction to the diversity of ideas held by the educated class about dreams, this unique treatise compiles various theories, Chen's own comments concerning the nature of dreams and their role in waking life, and almost seven hundred examples assembled from a wide range of literary sources. This annotated translation is accompanied by a full-length introduction that surveys the evolution of Chinese dream culture and the role of Chen Shiyuan and his encyclopedia.
Covering wide-ranging topics from the arts and entertainment to customs and traditions from the ancient imperial and modern eras, Historical Dictionary of Chinese Culture provides more than 300 separate entries along with a comprehensive chronology, glossary of Chinese cultural terms, and an extensive bibliography of Western and Chinese-language sources. Dictionary entries of the decorative and fine arts include ceramics and porcelains, handicrafts, jade and seal carving, jewelry, and painting. The literary subjects range from fiction to non-fiction, but especially poetry. Major entertainment venues of cinema and film, classical puppetry, and theater, both ancient and modern are also covered. In addition to the arts, the authors include major customary practices from childbirth and childrearing to marriage and weddings to funerals and burial practices. Other aspects of the culture are also examined, including crime, foot-binding, pornography, and prostitution, and the government policies aimed at their eradication. Throughout the text, Chinese-language translations of key terms are presented in italics and parenthesis, along with biographies of figures central to the creation of China’s magnificent cultural heritage.
Welcome to a world where the boundaries of reality blur, and the landscapes of the mind come alive with endless possibilities. Dreams—the enigmatic, mysterious, and often bewildering tapestries woven in the realm of sleep—have intrigued and captivated humanity since time immemorial. They have been the subjects of myths, the muses of artists, and the focus of scientific inquiry. And now, they invite you on an exhilarating journey of discovery. In the pages of this book, "Interpreting Our Dreams: Unveiling the Hidden Logic," you will embark on a voyage into the heart of one of the most profound aspects of human existence—the world of dreams. This book is your passport to explore the depths of your own subconscious, to decipher the messages that your dreams hold, and to unlock the rich tapestry of symbolism that dances through the landscapes of your nightly narratives. But why should you venture into this territory? What awaits you within these pages? Imagine being able to decode the cryptic language of your dreams, to unravel the intricate threads of your unconscious thoughts and emotions. Imagine gaining the tools to navigate the labyrinth of your own mind, finding hidden treasures of insight, creativity, and healing along the way. In this book, we will embark on a comprehensive journey. We'll delve into the history of dream interpretation, from ancient civilizations to modern psychology. We'll explore the fascinating science of sleep and the stages that lead us to dreamland. We'll unravel the diverse types of dreams, from lucid adventures to heart-pounding nightmares. But this journey isn't just about theory; it's about practicality. You will learn how to remember and record your dreams effectively, unlocking the door to deeper self-understanding. We will guide you through the art of interpreting dream symbols, helping you unravel the stories your mind weaves each night. As we traverse the landscape of dreams, we'll introduce you to the profound ideas of visionaries like Freud and Jung, and explore the cognitive and neurobiological underpinnings of dreams. You'll discover the emotional dimensions of dreams, their potential for problem-solving, and their connection to your overall well-being. But we don't stop there. We venture into the cultural and spiritual aspects of dream interpretation, transcending boundaries to understand how different societies perceive the world of dreams. We'll discuss the impact of age, trauma, and even sleep disorders on your dream experiences. And as we near the end of our odyssey, we delve into the mystical and uncharted territories of premonitions, lucid dreaming, and the enigmatic unconscious mind. We'll provide you with the tools to interpret your own dreams, empowering you to unlock the mysteries that reside within your own psyche. But this journey doesn't end with the last page of this book; it is only the beginning. As you read these words, you stand at the threshold of an adventure that will continue in the privacy of your own mind each night when you close your eyes. Your dreams are a canvas upon which your inner self paints its stories, and each dream is a whisper from the deepest recesses of your being. So, dear reader, fasten your seatbelt for this captivating voyage. Embrace the challenge of uncovering the hidden logic of your dreams, and savor the thrill of exploring the inner cosmos of your mind. As we embark on this journey together, may you find inspiration, insight, and a renewed sense of wonder in the vast landscapes of your own dreams. The adventure begins now.
