Demonic dreaming: Two case studies

Abstract

The intriguing study of dreams related to mystical symbols has attracted not only such conventional fields as comparative religions and philosophy, but also psychoanalyses. In this report, first, the author briefly introduces, from the perspectives of Freud and Jung, the importance of energetic desire (libido), symbolism, and unconsciousness in interpreting dreams. Then, the author presents two case studies focusing on demonic dreams, which have been rarely investigated in scholarly research. The dreams are discussed in terms of their significance in the dreamers' experience and their implications for the use of dreams in psychoanalysis. The findings suggest that demonic symbols in dreaming could result unconsciously from dreamers' daily residues, fulfillment of will, or inferiority complex. The report discusses at the end Chinese folklore in interpreting demonic dreams.