Dream interpretation in the Assyrian Dream Book: The invention of tradition
Abstract
This article identifies the cognitive tactics behind the interpretation of dreams in the ancient Assyrian text known as the Dream Book. Its basic characteristics include belief in the prophetic power of dreams, ritual orientation to men, regard for image polysemy and the use of symbols, employment of such mechanisms as metaphor, metonymy, pragmatic shifts, patronymic attraction, replacements based on the antonym principle. These mechanisms are identified as underlying the formation of symbolic content structures.
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