Checking out how different cultures see the meaning of dreams

Honestly, we all have those totally bizarre dreams that make us go, “What the heck?” when we wake up. You know the kind I’m talking about-like that time you were at your graduation, and poof,

out of nowhere, there you are in a giant chicken suit giving a speech about time travel? Yeah that one! In a way, dreams are really interesting, kinda mysterious, and honestly a bit weird. People have been trying to figure them out everywhere for ages, wondering if they’re messages from the gods or little hints from our minds or just something strange you munched on before hitting the hay.

So, you might think that dreaming about flying is all about freedom or maybe just wanting to escape your 9-5 grind, but in other cultures, it could mean something totally different. Let’s take a quick trip around the world to see how different cultures look at dreams.

The Ancient Egyptians Dreams as Prophecies
The Egyptians were very early on in taking dreams seriously.

They did not dismiss a weird dream as “something I ate”; they considered them to be messages from the gods or hints about what was coming up. The pharaohs, being the busy and high-maintenance rulers that they were, would often hit up dream interpreters to get some insight into their future.

Hey, if you ever have a dream about losing your teeth, don’t freak out-the Egyptians would say you’re probably being promoted-or maybe getting a new set of teeth. Either way, it’s all good!

You know, when you think about it, the ancient Greeks were super dramatic, right? So it totally makes sense they’d believe that dreams were just the gods messing with them. For them, dreams were either little nudges from the gods to help them out or warnings about stuff that was about to happen.

Maybe it is an intrepid hero on a thrilling quest-to slay some kind of monstrous nemesis, say, or receive advanced warning that someone nefarious is headed your way. Don’t ask how we know all this; ask Artemidorus, one of the many Greek philosophers who dedicated a complete book to decoding dreams- Oneirocritica—is there anything less dream-loverly than that title?.

So, dreaming about falling? That might mean you’re getting too ambitious for your own good (or time to get rid of these floopy sandals). Dreaming about being chased? Maybe that’s just the universe nudging you to quit procrastinating over that report. Or hey, maybe you need to quit that extreme romp with horror films right before you sleep.

Dreams, in Chinese culture, are like a mirror to the soul, showing whether life is in balance or out of whack-all connected to the whole yin and yang vibe. They can totally spill the beans about how you feel emotionally, even how you relate to people or everything happening around you. In traditional Chinese medicine, they believe that mind, body, and spirit are all tied together, so if you dream about water, it might mean you need to cleanse yourself or just dive into your emotions.

You know that dream where you’re swimming with sharks? It’s not about being fearful (even though, honestly, sharks are super scary), but it could be showing a clash of different stuff going on in your life.

So maybe now is the time to give up stressing over balancing work, hanging out with friends, and your weird love for collecting succulents. Your subconscious is trying to let you know that it is cool to drop something (but definitely not the succulents-they are too awesome).

Dreams as Messages from Our Ancestors Many Native American tribes believe that dreams are not random things we experience but rather communications from our ancestors or spirits that will help guide us. In some of these tribes, dreams are crucial in reaching the spiritual world.

You know what’s so cool? The word “dreamcatcher” comes from the Ojibwa people who believed you could catch your dreams in a web, separating the good ones from the bad ones.

Hey, so if you wake up all freaked out because you dreamed of being chased by a huge bear, it’s probably not just some bad pizza you ate. Maybe that bear is your spirit animal telling you to face your fears (or just steer clear of any bear encounters down the line).

Anyway, according to Native American beliefs, your dreams could hold some deeper, spiritual messages that might help you out in real life.

According to the Japanese, one’s dreams may unravel the enigma of his subconscious and his real feelings. Your dreams, in Japan, have something to do with your self-discovery and emotional understanding. An important loved one has already passed away? Maybe because he still has so many strong emotions for you; or maybe, it’s the case that you can’t seem to work it through. You dream of a much-loved pet

Maybe your brain just needs to remind you to take out the trash again.

But here’s the twist: the Japanese think that what goes down in your dreams can totally mess with your real life. Like, if you dream about hitting the jackpot in the lottery, some folks might see it as a sign that good things are coming your way.

But if you dream about being late to a super important meeting? Get ready for a wild, coffee-fueled day ahead. Your dream might be trying to nudge you about something you’re forgetting—like a big deadline or that you really need your coffee fix.
The Indians: Dreams as messages from the soul

In India, dreams are viewed as messages from the soul and hold very close relationships with the theory of karma and spiritual growth. For instance, death could actually be about change or rebirth and is definitely not something to fear. A snake might also be about something repressed, like emotions perhaps or an opportunity for growth.

You know, with the Indian dream interpretation culture, big deal made about recurring dreams; however, when you dream about a specific thing repeatedly, there could be an indication that you would like to dig into that unsettled stuff in life.

Maybe it’s nudging your brain to go sort out that email from a week ago (it might tell you to stop skirting the gym).

Mexicans believe dreams as a form of accessing the spiritual and supernatural, allowing people to stay in contact with the world beyond the human one. Most Mexicans believe dreams tell them where their lives are heading, their love lives, or their reason for living.

That’s precisely why the popular celebrations of the “Day of the Dead,” which is given to ancestors, express it. It’s how to keep in contact with deceased family members in the case of dreaming about them.

Hey, if you dream about people you haven’t seen in a million years or some problem you’ve been avoiding dealing with, then pay attention! And that wild dream where you’re in the mariachi band? Maybe this is telling you to enjoy your life more or get your affairs in order before trying to do everything musical!

Are Dreams Just a Thing That Happens After Eating Late-Night Pizza? You know, we can’t really say we figured out the secrets of the universe through our dreams (even if we read a ton of books),

but it’s pretty obvious that people everywhere see dreams as more than just brain activity. I mean, whether it’s divine messages or personal growth vibes, there’s so much meaning to pull from those nightly escapades of our subconscious. Alright,

so next time you wake up from a dream that you are flying, falling, or running from a gigantic penguin (no judgment-you know the dream happens), just take a moment to consider. Maybe your brain is just cleaning house, or maybe you’re being nudged toward something you didn’t see coming. Either way, at least you have a great story for your next dinner party! Sweet dreams!