About Chinese Dream Dictionary

Our Sources

Every interpretation on this site is grounded in named, citable classical texts — a genealogy of Chinese dream literature spanning more than two thousand years — rather than material invented or rephrased from other websites. We group our sources by the role each plays:

• ［Physiology］Huangdi Neijing (《黄帝内经》) — the foundational medical canon. Its "Lingshu · Yin Xie Fa Meng" (灵枢·淫邪发梦) and "Suwen · Fang Sheng Shuai Lun" (素问·方盛衰论) chapters explain how imbalances in the organs and five elements produce specific dream imagery — why a dream arises.
• ［Theory］Zhouli · Zhanmeng (《周礼·占梦》) — the "Rites of Zhou" records the official six-dream classification (六梦) used by court diviners.
• ［Theory］Liezi · King Mu of Zhou (《列子·周穆王》) — the Daoist account that "the spirit's encounter becomes a dream," with six dream-kinds echoing the Zhouli.
• ［Theory］Qianfulun · Meng Lie (《潜夫论·梦列》, Wang Fu, Eastern Han) — one of the earliest systematic schemes, sorting dreams into ten kinds.
• ［Theory］Mengzhan Yizhi (《梦占逸旨》, Chen Shiyuan, Ming) — a scholarly synthesis into nine dream types, by the same scholar who revised the Meng Lin Xuan Jie.
• ［Oracle］Zhou Gong Jie Meng (《周公解梦》) folk tradition — the household "dream X means Y" oracle, traceable to the Dunhuang "New Collection of the Duke of Zhou's Dream Book." This is the home of the short oracular lines that appear on most entries.
• ［Oracle］Meng Lin Xuan Jie (《梦林玄解》, revised by Chen Shiyuan, Ming) — the most systematic classical dream encyclopedia. Selected entries reproduce its verbatim lines with a precise citation; others render the broader tradition in plain language.
• ［Remedy］Beiji Qianjin Yaofang · Meng Rang (《备急千金要方·梦禳》, Sun Simiao, Tang) — classical practices for easing inauspicious dreams, behind the "traditional remedy" notes on fear-class entries.

How We Write Each Entry

We follow a consistent editorial process so that interpretations stay anchored to the sources rather than to opinion:

1. Locate the classical passage. We find the original line(s) that address the dream symbol in our source texts and reproduce the Chinese original on the page (the "Ancient Chinese Interpretation" block).
2. Translate faithfully. We render the classical Chinese into modern English, keeping the original meaning, including the cases where the traditional reading is counterintuitive (for example, dreaming of death is usually auspicious in this tradition).
3. Explain the reasoning. Where a meaning rests on a pun, a five-element association, or a medical-canon link, we explain why — so readers can judge the logic, not just accept a verdict.
4. Add cultural context. We situate the symbol in its historical and cultural background rather than presenting an isolated one-line "omen."
5. Review and date. Entries carry a "Last reviewed" date and the sources they draw on. We correct entries when we find errors.

Editorial Standards & Corrections

We aim for accuracy over sensationalism. If you spot a mistranslation, a misattributed source, or a factual error, we genuinely want to hear about it — please write to us via the contact page. Verified corrections are applied promptly and the entry's review date is updated.

About This Project

Chinese Dream Dictionary is an independent reference site. It is not affiliated with any temple, religious body, or fortune-telling business. Entries are compiled and reviewed against the original classical sources before publishing, and each one lists the texts it draws on and a "last reviewed" date. For corrections, suggestions, or questions, contact us at charliehuang518@gmail.com.

Important Disclaimer

The interpretations on this site are presented for cultural, educational, and entertainment purposes. They reflect traditional Chinese beliefs recorded in historical texts and are not medical, psychological, legal, or financial advice. Dreams do not predict the future. If a dream is connected to distress, anxiety, or a health concern, please consult a qualified professional.