How to Read “夢は逆夢”
Yume ha sakayume
Meaning of “夢は逆夢”
“Dreams are reverse dreams” means that the opposite of what you see in dreams will happen in reality.
It expresses the idea that when you have good dreams, bad things will happen, and when you have bad dreams, good things will happen. This is not merely superstition, but also a teaching that warns against being too elated or dejected by dream content. It is used particularly in situations where one needs to be cautioned not to lose realistic judgment by being too captivated by the content of especially impressive dreams.
The reason for using this proverb is to point out the danger of confusing dreams with reality and to convey the importance of living a grounded life. Even today, when people have overly realistic dreams or can’t stop thinking about dream content, they use it by saying “Dreams are reverse dreams” to shift their mindset.
Origin and Etymology
The origin of “Dreams are reverse dreams” is rooted in the concept of dream interpretation that has continued since ancient times. In Japan, there has been a culture of interpreting dreams as omens of good or bad fortune since the Heian period, and within this culture, the belief that “the opposite of what is seen in dreams happens in reality” was born.
This way of thinking is said to be influenced by Chinese yin-yang philosophy, where the idea that all things necessarily have opposing aspects was also applied to dream interpretation. Particularly when people had extremely good or bad dreams, it functioned as a psychological mechanism to ease expectations or anxieties about reality.
During the Edo period, many books on dream interpretation were published, and dream interpretation became widely popular among common people. Within this context, the concept of “reverse dreams” occupied an important position, with dreams of death being interpreted as signs of longevity and dreams of crying as harbingers of joy, for example.
The background to this proverb’s establishment is thought to include the meaning of warning people against being too elated or dejected by dreams and explaining the importance of looking firmly at reality. It has been passed down as wisdom that clarifies the boundary between dreams and reality and encourages calm judgment.
Interesting Facts
In dream interpretation, “dreams of dying” and “dreams of fires,” which are generally considered inauspicious, were actually regarded as good dreams symbolizing longevity and financial fortune. Conversely, dreams of winning the lottery or obtaining large sums of money were often interpreted as inauspicious dreams meaning loss in reality.
Edo period dream interpretation books also contain descriptions that dream interpretations change according to the season. It was said that whether the same dream becomes a reverse dream or not was determined by whether it was seen in spring or winter.
Usage Examples
- I had a dream about winning the lottery, but since dreams are reverse dreams, I probably shouldn’t get my hopes up
- I had nothing but unpleasant dreams last night, but since dreams are reverse dreams, something good might happen today
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, interesting changes can be seen in the interpretation of the proverb “Dreams are reverse dreams.” Now that scientific dream research has advanced, dreams are understood as the brain’s information processing and reflection of psychological states. However, this proverb continues to resonate with modern people’s hearts.
Particularly in the modern era where social media has become widespread, more people share dream content, and comments saying “Dreams are reverse dreams” are often seen in response. Rather than the classical meaning, this seems to function as a psychological defense mechanism to avoid taking dream content too seriously.
Also, in modern times, it is sometimes used when expressing the “gap between ideals and reality.” Some people use “Dreams are reverse dreams” in contexts where they dream of ideal futures in careers or romance, but reality doesn’t go as planned. While this deviates somewhat from the original meaning, it shares the common element of contrasting dreams and reality.
From a psychological perspective, this proverb continues to function as an effective mental stabilizing device in modern times. It has been passed down in changing forms as wisdom to protect oneself from excessive expectations or anxieties and maintain a realistic perspective.
When AI Hears This
The reverse dream belief that “if you have a good dream, something bad will happen” was actually an ingenious psychological cushion devised by the Japanese. While modern positive thinking teaches that “thoughts become reality,” the Japanese took the completely opposite approach.
There’s a concept in psychology called “defensive pessimism.” This is a strategy where people deliberately anticipate bad outcomes to mentally prepare themselves and increase their satisfaction with actual results. Reverse dream thinking is precisely this mechanism in action.
For example, if someone dreams of winning the lottery and thinks “this is a reverse dream, so I’ll lose,” when they actually lose, they can simply say “I knew it.” If they win, they get double the joy from “the reverse dream was wrong—how lucky!” In other words, it’s a system that minimizes psychological damage regardless of which way things turn out.
What’s fascinating is that American psychological research has shown that “optimists experience greater stress when they fail.” When expectations are too high, the gap with reality causes deep wounds.
Reverse dream thinking was wisdom created by Japanese people living in an uncertain world to maintain balance between hope and despair. While it’s the complete opposite of today’s “law of attraction boom,” it’s actually an extremely rational system in terms of mental stability.
Lessons for Today
What “Dreams are reverse dreams” teaches modern people is the importance of maintaining balance between expectations and reality. In modern times when people tend to feel rushed seeing others’ success on social media or escape reality by only envisioning ideal futures, this proverb reminds us of the importance of living a grounded life.
What’s important is not to deny having dreams and ideals, but not to be too swayed by them. Rather than being disappointed by expecting too much good or being unable to act because of being dominated by bad premonitions, it’s important to have the mental flexibility to accept that “reality doesn’t go as expected.”
In modern society, information overflows and anxieties and expectations about the future are easily amplified. At such times, let’s look at things from a step back with the spirit of “Dreams are reverse dreams.” You should surely be able to make calmer and more realistic judgments.
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