A Dictionary of Dream Symbols: With an Introduction to Dream Psychology

by Eric Ackroyd

Gain vivid insights into the working of dreams--and use them to promote greater self-awareness and healing--with this encyclopedic and intriguing guide to the significance of more than 700 symbols. The journey to understanding begins with an extensive introduction that covers not only the classic theories of Freud and Jung, but also more recent ideas on dream analysis. It provides a wealth of background information for the huge dictionary section, which ranges from Abandonment to Zodiacal Sign , and includes such common images as Dragons , Murder , Roller Coasters , and Tattoos , all listed in an easy-to-reference alphabetical format with comprehensive definitions. Each entry offers a wide range of possible interpretations, and cross-referencing throughout allows seekers to examine every aspects of a particular symbol.

Genres: Psychology, Reference, Nonfiction, Magick

320 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 1993

About the author

Eric Ackroyd, a former college and university lecturer with degrees in philosophy and religion, has devoted many years to studying symbolism across various religious traditions and philosophies.

Reviews

[Benji · Rating 2 out of 5]

Found this book while helping my sister clean. I used to like dream interpretation. While I know it's mostly a load of bull - as everyone dreams differently, and therefore dreams will mean something different to everyone, only we can interpret our own dreams - it is still interesting to see the different "takes" on symbolism in dreams.

This book, though. Ugh. So heteronormative that it hurts. The part on incest assumes that all incest dreams are always heterosexual (what if it, like, isn't? doesn't matter, he doesn't cover that). He is obsessed with sex in general. Not surprising from dream interpretation, since it's commonly linked with Freud and psychoanalysis. Which us Psychology majors like to laugh at. There's a reason most psych jokes make fun of Freud.

Of course, this seemingly Freud inspired theme continues. Everything is about the mother! Dream of water? Clearly you have mommy issues. Spare me.

Definitely not the most captivating dream analysis book I've ever skimmed. It reads like he discovered Freudian "psychology" and decided to make a book about it. Pop psychology at its finest.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a book I purchased a long time ago that I dug out of a box of books in my basement. It is pretty interesting as far as interpretations go in regards to symbols seen in my dreams ( although I couldn't find the words food, burger, or restaurant in the book ). I feel most dreams seem to be about one form of anxiety or another anyway. Naturally, there are a lot of words symbolizing phallic imagery and sex.

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so much better than any other dream dictionaries I've used. The best part about the book is that not only does it tell you what the symbols mean in your dreams, but it gives an explanation as to why they may be occurring too! It also has a small section in the book on dream psychology in general with vocabulary and general concepts. The only thing I wish this book did was cover more symbols. Highly recommend!

[Mum · Rating 2 out of 5]

good for anyone who wants a really surface-level understanding of the different theories of the unconscious and the role dreams play. there are other books with deeper interpretations of symbols though.

[Jeannine Morin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The beginning of this dictionary is well outlined based of many of Freuds and Jungs opinions, two very important men who have studied many different topics and are the top in the subjects that they have reviewed. I don't necessarily believe in everything that they have had to say, but I do believe in their intelligence and I believe they were trying the best they could to help people that were struggling with what they were seeing in their dreams, or psychologically going through. Freud was highly intelligent, especially in his analysis and opinion of men and their egos being associated with the male appendage, and bigger always being better.
There was a whole section in this book that I found very troubling, and it had to do with incestual dreams and how it is completely natural because every daughter wants to date her father, and every son wants to date his mother. I think that logic is disgusting and only hurts people, because I believe that if people are having incestual dreams there is only a few reasons behind it. 1. They do have an attraction to their family member and that makes them disgusting. 2.They have been sexually violated by that family memeber, or a family member and the brain is trying warn the person about this blacked out memory. 3.A spirit guide or God is trying to warn you of the desires someone has for you, and has never acted on it, but they definitely have thought about it.

The dream descriptions were okay, not the best that I have ever read but there was generally some good information in there.

[Alisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fact that there was 111 when I came across this. and 1:11 earlier today. thank you God.

[Torisstoriess · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was hoping for a book with a lot of in-depth information on dream symbols to inspire my writing. This book's depth in examining cultural and psychological significance of given symbols was nowhere near the level I was looking for, and, indeed, was in many cases overly vague and repetitive. Very disappointed.

[Emma MacDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fairly decent read. I think a lot of people were expecting this book to explain with finite detail what they’re dreams mean without realizing how difficult that is to do in a book when everyone has their own unique lives/experiences. This should be used as a guide to come up with your own conclusions. I would be interested in seeing an updated version of this with more LGBTQ+ in mind.

[Suheir · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like the introduction and going through Freud and Jung's interpretations about dreams a d subconscious.
A book that you have to go back to when you want to interpret a dream but must have a high level of self_awarness.

[StarST8 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a reference book to look up symbols/symbolistic meaning in dreams. The book is organized in A-Z format so looking up what you need is not hard at all, even without an index.

[Jerry Gifford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best dream dictionary available. Jungian perspective

[Brooke Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful and a good starting guide for dream interpretation.

[Ash · Rating 2 out of 5]

All Freudian inspired books should come with a content warning.

[Patrycja · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not a read at all, rather a party book for entertainment at best…whoever believes in the interpretation is a strong believer in crystal ball readings.

[Cassandra Saude · Rating 1 out of 5]

If dreams only applied to men who have mommy issues that make them hate women. DNF.