“If a person sees himself dead in his sleep, it means that he will live to a ripe old age”

Known as the Book of Dreams, this Egyptian papyrus hails from the era of Ramses II (1279-1213 BC). It’s inscribed with priestly script in red and black ink. Although the start and conclusion of the Book of Dreams are missing, it’s clear that it contained a comprehensive catalogue of dreams and their interpretations, making it the oldest known dream guide in existence.

The scroll, known as Chester Beatty Papyrus no. III, is now exhibited at the British Museum. It was donated by the wealthy collector Alfred Chester Beatty alongside other scrolls, primarily containing biblical texts. The history of the manuscript itself is as fascinating as its content. Before it was buried with its final owner in Deir el Medina (where it was reportedly discovered), the manuscript was passed down as a family heirloom, or more precisely, as a part of a family library. At one point, the scribe Qeniherkhepshef acquired it and used the almost blank back of the scroll to copy a poem about the renowned Battle of Kadesh (which occurred during the reign of Ramses II, likely in 1274 BC), as well as a letter to the vizier of Pharaoh Merneptah (late 13th^th century BC). After Qeniherkhepshef’s death, the scroll was passed on to Khaemamen, the second husband of Qeniherkhepshef’s wife, and his son Amennakht, as evidenced by their signatures on the manuscript.

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Each page of the scroll begins with the phrase “If one sees in his sleep” at the top of each vertical column. Each horizontal line first describes the dream, then labels it as “good” or “evil”, and finally provides its interpretation.

The Book of Dreams was not the only dream guide circulating in Egypt. It’s highly likely that other similar catalogues existed before the 13th^th century BC, particularly as the Egyptians, like all ancient Mediterranean cultures, placed significant importance on dreams and their interpretations. Dream interpretations are included in the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Jewish Pentateuch, and dream guides similar to the Book of Dreams have been discovered in the Assyrian Imperial Library from the era of Ashurbanipal (669-626 BC).

Fast forward to the 2^nd century AD. In Ephesus, a man named Artemidorus of Daldian compiled and published a comprehensive five-book work known as the Dream Critics, which meticulously detailed dreams and their interpretations. This work garnered significant popularity over the centuries, even extending into the 20th^century, and influenced notable figures in the field of dream interpretation, such as Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung. However, Artemidorus’s Dream Critics warrants a discussion of its own in another post.

Let’s shift our focus back to the Egyptian Book of Dreams from the 13^th century BC. This list is meticulously written and organized in a tabular format. Each page of the scroll begins with the phrase “If one sees in his sleep,” written above each vertical column. Each horizontal line then details the dream, followed by a classification of “good” or “bad,” and finally, its interpretation. The scroll lists good dreams first, followed by bad ones. The word ‘bad’ is written in red, a color typically associated with danger and destruction.

As previously mentioned, the beginning and end of the list are missing, and other sections of the text are damaged. Some 250 dream records and their interpretations have survived, and I’ve selected a few of the most intriguing ones to share today. For the translation, I relied on the original publication of the text by Alan H. Gardiner, titled Hieratic Papyri in the British Museum (London, 1935). Gardiner notes that while the language of the text is straightforward, the abbreviated descriptions of the dreams and their interpretations can often lead to uncertainty. Therefore, I’ve chosen to share those dreams where the meaning is logically sound and confidently translated.

If someone dreams of their penis growing, this is a positive sign. It suggests that their fortune will increase.

If a person dreams of looking out of a window, this is a good omen.

It suggests that their prayers will be answered by God.

If a person dreams of being on a roof, this is a positive sign. It suggests that they will discover something.

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If someone dreams of their hair growing, this is a good omen. It suggests that they will experience joy.

If a person dreams of a large cat, this is a positive sign. It suggests that they will reap a bountiful harvest.

If someone dreams of sitting on a tree, this is a good omen. It suggests that their sufferings will come to an end.

If a person dreams of themselves being dead, this is a positive sign. It suggests that they will live to a ripe old age.

If a person dreams of drinking blood, this is a good omen. It suggests that their enemies will be defeated.

If someone dreams of sitting in a sunny orchard, this is a good omen.

Happiness is the interpretation.

Dreaming of eating a crocodile is a positive sign. It suggests that the dreamer will attain a position of authority.

Seeing the moon shining in a dream is also a good omen. It implies that the dreamer will receive divine forgiveness.

Dreaming of sawing wood is a favorable sign. It indicates that the dreamer’s enemies have been vanquished.

If one dreams of burying an old man, it’s a good sign. This suggests prosperity is on the horizon.

However, dreaming of eating fig fruit is a bad omen. It signifies impending pain.

Drinking hot beer in a dream is also a negative sign. It foretells calamities.

Seeing oneself in a mirror in a dream is not a good sign. It suggests the possibility of taking another wife.

Eating hot meat in a dream is a bad omen. It implies that the dreamer will be found guilty of something.

Dreaming of having intercourse with a woman is a negative sign. It signifies the onset of mourning.

If a man dreams that his bed is on fire, it’s a bad sign. It suggests that his wife will leave him.

Waving a wig in a dream is a negative sign. It implies that the dreamer will be ridiculed.

Looking into a deep well in a dream is a bad omen. It suggests imprisonment.

Dreaming of catching fire is a bad sign. It implies a violent end.

Seeing an ostrich in a dream is a negative sign. It suggests impending misfortune.

Being beaten with a willow rod in a dream is a bad omen. It suggests that no one will mourn the dreamer’s passing.

Entering a room with wet clothes in a dream is a negative sign. It suggests a conflict.

Throwing a stick into water in a dream is a bad sign. It suggests that calamity will strike the dreamer’s household.

Eating an egg in a dream is a bad sign. It implies the complete loss of property.

Eating figs and grapes in a dream is a bad omen. It signifies illness.

Cutting one’s hair in a dream is a bad sign. It suggests that something will be taken from the dreamer’s home.

Taking care of monkeys in a dream is a negative sign. It suggests that a change is coming.