Pseudo-Psychoanalytical Interpretationsof Persian Dream Books

The present paper compares the principles of traditional Iranian dream interpretation and psychoanalytical dream interpretation with an emphasis on Sigmund Freud's views. The studies previously dealt with the Islamic dream-books have primarily focused on the historical, literary, codicological, philosophical, and social aspects of these texts. However, some researchers have alluded to psychoanalytical considerations of their authors. In addition to collecting these hints, this study quotes examples of Persian dream-books as evidence for many psychoanalytical terms about dream interpretation. These materials and findings indicate the considerable similarity between modern psychoanalysis and early dream interpretation in principles and details. For instance, similar philosophical and professional principles have been observed in early dream interpretation and psychoanalysis schools, both providing a similar description of the functions and production processes of dreams. Following Lacanian psychoanalysis, the author discusses the various types of metaphor and metonymy and explores the sources of some rare metaphorical themes in Dari poetry.