Zhou Gong Dream Books: Traditions and Dream Categories
Zhou Gong dream books belong to an attributed dream-reading tradition. The Zhou Li separately describes an official dream interpreter and six categories of dreams.
Six types of dreams
The Zhou Li lists Zheng Meng, E Meng, Si Meng, Wu Meng, Xi Meng and Ju Meng. Its commentary distinguishes ordinary dreams, disturbed dreams, dreams following thought, waking-related dreams, joyful dreams and fearful dreams.
An official role
The dream interpreter considers season, celestial meetings and Yin–Yang qi. The text places this role within a ritual organization and describes the presentation of royal dreams at the end of winter. This setting differs from a modern list of dream symbols.
The Zhou Gong attribution
The title associates dream reading with the Duke of Zhou, a prominent figure in the ritual and political tradition. When reading a particular dream book, use that edition’s title and wording: an attribution and a manuscript’s date answer different historical questions.