Introduction to Psychoanalysis

Chapter 17 The Symbolism of Dreams (1)
Gentlemen, we have seen before that the incomprehension of dreams is caused by dream disguises which are the result of the censorship of immoral unconscious wish-impulses.We cannot, of course, say that censorship is the only cause of dream-distortion. If we study dreams more deeply, we may discover other factors that cause dream-distortion; that is, even if "dream censorship" is reduced , still cannot reduce the difficulty of dream interpretation, and the manifest and latent dreams are not consistent.

We have discovered a defect in the technique of psychoanalysis, and thus have brought to light another cause of the camouflage of dreams.We have previously admitted that the dreamer does sometimes fail to arouse associations with regard to individual elements of the dream.Of course, this situation is much less than what they say.In most cases, if the analyst persists, the analysand can still be associated; there are only a few cases where the analysand really cannot, and even if there is an association, it is not what we need.If such a situation occurs during psychoanalytic treatment, it is meaningful to leave it alone here; however, such a situation can also occur in the interpretation of dreams to normal people or for oneself.When this happens, no matter how much we try to induce free association, we find that this unpleasant hindrance is due to the presence of special elements in the dream.What we thought to be a special case of technical failure is now found to be the result of a new principle.

Therefore, we try to explain these "unreminiscent" elements with known ones.It is astonishing how often a full meaning is obtained whenever we dare to make this interpretation, whereas, on the contrary, if we decide to abandon this method, the dream loses coherence and becomes meaningless.Originally, there was a lack of confidence in this kind of experiment, but the accumulation of similar examples made it credible.

For the sake of the presentation, allow me here to give an overview, short but not misleading.

We therefore apply a fixed interpretation to a group of dream elements, as we have seen in popular dream-analysis books, which use fixed translations for various things in dreams.You must not forget, however, that when we use the method of free association the dream element never has a fixed substitute.

Perhaps you will immediately think that this method of analyzing dreams is less reliable and more open to criticism than free association.However, I still want to say this: We have gathered many examples from our own experience that apply to this invariable translation, and therefore it is not necessary to borrow the associations of the dreamer to understand the analysis of dreams, but only our own knowledge is enough. .How we obtain this knowledge will be discussed in the second half of this chapter.

Regarding the fixed relationship between dream elements and dream interpretation, we can call it a symbolic relationship. In fact, dream elements originally symbolize the hidden meaning of dreams. When discussing the relationship between ideas, we listed three kinds of relationships: one is that part replaces the whole, the other is metaphor, and the third is imagery.I also said that a fourth relationship is also possible, but it is not yet clear.The fourth relationship is the symbolic relationship. Regarding this question, before presenting our special observations, please first pay special attention to those interesting points that can be discussed. Perhaps in our theory of dreams, symbolism is the most attractive. An attention-getting part.

First of all, since the relationship between the symbol and the symbolized is fixed, and the latter seems to be the translation of the former, therefore, although our analysis technique is quite different from the ancients' dream interpretation or ordinary people's dream interpretation, symbolism is different in a certain way. To a certain extent, it coincides with the meaning of dream interpretation by ancient people or ordinary people's dream interpretation.Symbolism allows us to analyze dreams in some cases without asking the dreamer, who in any case would not tell us in symbols.If we understand the symbols that often appear in dreams, the personality and living conditions of the dreamer, and the mental impression before dreaming, we can immediately start dream analysis, as if we can explain it as soon as we meet.This success not only satisfies the dream interpreter, but also admires the dreamer, so it is far better than the cumbersome inquiry method.But you must not be misunderstood by this: we will never play tricks, and dream interpretation based on symbolism cannot replace free association, or in comparison, symbolism is a supplement to association, and its results are combined with association Only then can it be effective.Regarding our understanding of the dreamer's psychological situation, you know that we not only have to analyze the dreams of acquaintances, but more often than not, we have no knowledge of the dreamer's previous day's experience, so the dreamer's associations are the result of his psychological situation. source of knowledge.

In particular, it is the question of the symbolic relation between the dream and the unconscious that has given rise to the most violent protests, especially as will be discussed below.Though men of good judgment have expressed deep sympathy with psychoanalysis on other points, they persist in dissent on one point.We are all the more astonished at this profession if we do not forget two things: first, that symbolism is not peculiar to dreams, nor is it a peculiar property of dreams; , but the dream symbol is not one of them.If we want to list the predecessors of scientists who hold this view in modern times, then the first one to talk about is Schnell. Psychoanalysis only confirms his theory and makes some important revisions.

Perhaps you wish to give examples in order to explain the symbolic nature of dreams.I am also willing to tell all I know, lest we know not as much as we hope.

The symbolic relationship can be called an analogy in nature, but it does not belong to any type of analogy.We naturally think that this symbolic analogy must be governed by special conditions, but we cannot yet clearly point them out.The things compared with one thing and one thing do not all appear in the dream to constitute a symbol. On the other hand, the dream does not use symbols to represent any things. It only symbolizes the spiritual elements in the hidden meaning of the dream. respective limitations.Since symbols are easily confused with substitutes, appearances, etc., and are more similar to metaphors, we have to admit that there has not been a clear boundary for the concept of symbols so far.The basis of comparison for some symbols is easy to understand, for others it is necessary to scrutinize the common parts or common ratios involved in the comparison.Some require deep thinking to find its hidden meaning, and some even after deep thinking, their meaning is still vague.Even if the symbol is indeed an analogy, it will not appear because of the free association method. The symbolism is not intentional by the dreamer, because he knows nothing about it; if the symbol is used to attract the dreamer's attention, he is unwilling to admit it. of.From this it follows that the symbol is a special kind of analogy, the nature of which we have not yet fully defined.This unknown may be known in future research.

Things represented by symbols in dreams, such as the human body, parents, children, brothers, sisters, life and death, and nudity, and others, aside from mentioning them, are not many.Houses are often used to represent the entire human body, and Schnell understands this, but he exaggerates the meaning of this symbol, which is somewhat biased.A person who climbs down the front of a house in a dream sometimes feels joyful and sometimes terrifying.A house with smooth walls often refers to a man; a house with ledges and balconies represents a woman.If the emperor, queen or king and queen or other noble figures appear in the dream, it represents the parents; it can be seen that the dream has a respectful attitude.The treatment of children, brothers, sisters, etc. is not very kind, and the symbols are often small animals or pests.Dreams are often inseparable from water, dreaming of falling into the water, or climbing out of the water, or saving people out of the water, or being rescued from the water, all of which symbolize the relationship between mother and child.Dying is often symbolized by car rides, and the state of death is often represented by dark allusions; nudity is often represented by clothes and uniforms.We also know from this that the boundary between symbol and metaphor has gradually disappeared.

The symbols of these things are very poor, while the symbols of sexual life, such as genitals, coitus, etc., are surprisingly rich.Sexual symbols are the majority of dream symbols. There are countless things they symbolize, and few things related to sex. Therefore, there are many symbols with the same meaning for each thing, and the two are very different. commensurate.Hence the diversity of dream symbols and the monotony of dream interpretation, the result of which is often a general attack.Although everyone is not happy about this, but the fact is, what can be done?
This is the first time the issue of sex life has been brought up in my speech, and we must explain the attitude to discuss this issue.In psychoanalysis, there is no need to hide anything. We think that there is no need to be ashamed to discuss this issue, and we believe that no matter what you do, you must first rectify the name, and then there will be no unnecessary disputes.The audience here is male or female, and I will treat them equally.A scientific speech must not be concealed, nor can it only be adapted to the requirements of a female audience; since all the ladies here have come, it means that they have accepted the same treatment as men.

In dreams the phallus has many different symbols, and for the most part the common idea with which it is compared is evident.First, the sacred number "three" is a symbol of the entire male genitalia.Phallic - as a symbol of more important and more concerned part of both sexes, it can be long erected things, such as walking sticks, umbrellas, bamboo poles and tree trunks, etc.; it can also be piercing and harmful objects, such as knives, daggers, Guns, spears, sabers and other sharp weapons; it can also be guns, pistols and other firearms. The shape of these objects is similar to it, which is a very appropriate symbol.When people are anxious, they often dream of being chased by men with knives or rifles.Perhaps this is the most common dream, the meaning of which can be easily translated by yourselves.Sometimes the phallic is also symbolized by something from which water flows, such as a faucet, jug, or spring.Others such as pencils, pen holders, nail clippers, hammers and other utensils are obviously symbols of men, and their meanings are easy to understand.

Because the yang has the characteristic of standing upright against the gravity of the earth, it is also symbolized by balloons and airplanes, and even in modern times by Zeppelin.There are other, more powerful symbols that represent the erection of the phallic erection, which makes the genitals a major part of the whole human body, and dreams of taking off.Dreaming of flying high is familiar to everyone. Dreams can sometimes be beautiful. If you want to explain these dreams with sexual excitement or penis erection, don't make a fuss.Fadern, a scientist who studies psychoanalysis, has confirmed this explanation to be reliable.Known for his shrewdness and ability, Wald's theory was originally very different from psychoanalysis, and he didn't even know the existence of psychoanalysis. He had done experiments with unnatural postures of arms and legs, and his research results also came to the same conclusion. conclusion.There is no need to refute our theory because women dream of flying high. You must understand that wish fulfillment is the sole purpose of dreams, and women often unconsciously have the wish to become a man.If you are acquainted with anatomy, you will not think that a woman cannot have the same sensations as a man to fulfill this desire. The clitoris of the woman's genitals is the same as the penis of the man, and indeed occupies the same position with the penis during her childhood and before coitus.

Some masculine symbols are more difficult to understand, such as reptiles and fish, especially the snake as a famous symbol.It is more difficult to grasp that hats and coats can also be masculine symbols, but their symbolic meaning is not a problem.The use of hands and feet as a symbol of male genitalia is doubtful, but judging from the relationship with shoes, socks and gloves, it cannot but be regarded as one of the symbols.

Female genitals are symbolized by everything that has space and containment, such as pits, bottles, boxes, cabinets, safes, pockets, etc., as well as boats and boats.Many of these symbols refer to the womb rather than to other genitals, such as cupboards, stoves, and especially rooms.At this time the symbol of the room is associated with the symbol of the house, and the portal represents the vulva.Various materials and their products such as wood, paper, tables and books are also symbols of women.As for animals, the symbol of snails and mussels must be women; and the various parts of the body, the mouth symbolizes the vulva, and the church and chapel in the building are also symbols of women.You should realize that not all of these symbolic understandings are obvious.

Women's breasts are also sexual organs, and the breasts and their arms are often symbolized by common fruits such as apples and peaches.The forest and bamboo bushes in the dream represent the pubic hair of both sexes.The position and shape of female organs are often compared to landscapes composed of hills, trees, and water; the structure of male genitalia is often symbolized by various complex and indescribable machines.

There is another symbol of female genitalia worthy of attention, that is, the jewelry box. The "pearl" and "baby" in the dream can represent the lover, and the candy symbolizes the pleasure of sexual intercourse.Various games imply sexual gratification by one's own genitals, such as playing the piano.The more typical symbols of masturbation include sliding, slipping away, and breaking branches, etc. The symbols of masturbation, such as tooth loss or tooth extraction, are particularly noteworthy. The essence of this symbol refers to the punishment of masturbation as castration.However, there are not as many special symbols of sexual intercourse as we expect. Here, rhythmic activities can be cited: dancing, horse riding and mountain climbing, etc., and symbols of violent tendencies, such as being trampled by horseshoes or being threatened by weapons. Wait.

You must not think that the use and interpretation of these symbols is easy. In fact, what happens in every respect is often unexpected.For example, it is indeed incredible how often the symbols used by the sexes are interchangeable.There are many symbols such as little baby, little boy, and little girl that can be used to represent both males and females.Sometimes masculine symbols can represent female genitals, and similarly feminine symbols can represent male genitals.This is incomprehensible without some knowledge about the development of human concepts of sexuality.Symbols of this kind may seem ambiguous to some instances, but they are not; the most typical symbols are always monosexual and cannot be used interchangeably, such as weapons, pockets, cabinets, etc.

We shall now briefly describe the origin of sexual symbols, but only from the symbol itself and not from the thing symbolized, intending to explain the less obvious symbols.We may take as an example the fedora, or hats in general, which, though sometimes denoting femininity, often have a masculine connotation.Likewise, the meaning of coat refers to a man, although sometimes it refers specifically to the genitals.What is the reason for this, we can naturally ask as much as we want.The hanging bow tie, obviously not owned by women, is obviously a symbol of masculinity; shirts and underwear are often symbols of women.It has been said that clothes and uniforms are symbols of nudity; shoes and slippers are female genitals.Although the table and wood are convoluted as symbols of femininity, they are nonetheless believable.The action of climbing a ladder, climbing a mountain or going upstairs is obviously a symbol of sexual intercourse. If you think about it carefully, you can know that the rhythmic action and the increase in excitement are not like the heavy breathing of a climber when he ascends?
We learn that the female genitals are metaphors for landscapes, and that mountain boulders are symbols of male genitals; that gardens often represent female genitals, and that fruit refers to breasts, not specifically children.Beasts are often used to describe people who are excited and lustful. Flowers represent female genitalia, especially virgin genitalia. You should understand that flowers are originally the reproductive organs of plants.

Now we have also known the symbolic meaning of the room, and its symbolic meaning can be extended, so doors and windows often represent the vulva, that is, the entrance of the room; the meaning of opening and closing the room can also be deduced, and the key is a symbol of men.

These are the materials for analyzing the symbolic meaning of dreams. Obviously, it is not complete, and we can expand it as we go deeper.And I think this is enough, and you may be deeply unhappy and ask: "Is our life really full of sexual symbols? The things around me, the clothes I wear, shoes and hats, etc., everything I come into contact with is just Is it a sexual symbol?" Of course, these questions are not unreasonable: since the dreamer has no concept of the symbol of the dream, how do we figure out its meaning?

I reply that our sources of knowledge are vast.They include stories of myths and gods, jokes and jokes, folk tales, legends of traditions, customs, adages and songs of various nationalities, poems and commonly used sayings.The same symbols are everywhere in this knowledge, and many of the meanings are self-evident and self-evident.If we analyze the source of this knowledge alone, it has so much in common with the symbolism of dreams that we are compelled to believe that this interpretation is correct.

We have said that Schnell believes that houses in dreams are often symbols of the human body; if this meaning is further expanded, then windows, gates, and small households are all symbols of body entrances, and the bottom of the house can be smooth or have a balcony. and ledges.The same symbols appear in colloquialisms, such as hair and felt hats.In anatomy, all the entrances and exits of the body are called "houses" or "doors", such as vulva and pylorus, and so on.

(End of this chapter)