Talismans to Ward Off Nightmares

In antiquity, people not only took whatever appeared in dreams seriously, they also believed dreams could foretell good or ill fortune. A good dream—even if experienced by just one person—was said to bring joy to all. To help a favorable dream come true, one could perform specific incantations. The "Yunji Qiqian," vol. 45, "Secret Methods for Blessing Good and Bad Dreams," records one such spell: "If you have a good dream at night and in your heart deem it auspicious, good fortune will follow. Upon waking, rub your eyes seven times and recite: 'Supremely High and Clear, Three Emperors of Dan Ling. The Crimson Palace shines bright and clear; auspicious feeling carries the message. Gentle spirits of the Three Yuan, the Heavenly Emperor receives the scripture. All directions harmonize; flying immortals rise to the Pure. Ever abiding in the Jade Truth, gathering in the Purple Court.'"

If you have a nightmare, you need not passively await misfortune. Folk tradition holds that although a bad dream may signal ill luck, it can be altered or avoided—this is the exorcism of bad dreams. Talismans are the primary means for dispelling nightmares. Such talismans appear in various dream manuals, certain Daoist texts, and folk customs. For example, "Essential Matters for Home Use" includes a dream section with talismans to ward off nightmares. The "Dunhuang Dream Interpretation" also gives talismans, stating that if you suffer a nightmare at night, do not speak of it upon waking; instead, with a sincere heart, write this talisman in black ink, place it at the foot of the bed, and recite: "Red, red; bright, bright. The sun rises in the east. This talisman severs dreams and averts misfortune. Recite it three times, and all ghosts will hide. Urgently, as the law commands. The nightmare bears the surname Yun, and the evil thought the surname Jia, given name Zhi. I know your name—keep a thousand miles away—urgently, as the law commands. Command. Also surnamed Yu, given name Lu; I know your name, I know your character."

The "Yunji Qiqian" also preserves incantations said to eliminate nightmares, transform their effects, and turn misfortune into good fortune. If you encounter a nightmare at night—that is, not a good dream—immediately return your head to the pillow and chant: "Supreme-Spirit Jade Maiden, attendant to the true guardian of the soul. Golden boys of the Six Palaces, come guard the gate of life. Transform evil into good; inscribe it in the Three Yuan. Grant me long life, riding the clouds." After this, swallow your saliva seven times, knock your teeth together seven times, and lie down again. Repeat this four or five times, and it will surely be eliminated. "This incantation also transforms nightmares into auspiciousness." — vol. 46, "Secret Methods of Exorcising Nightmares."

The Supreme Pure Real Person teaches beginners how to avoid nightmares. If nightmares occur frequently, the first day’s is a spirit demon, the second day’s a test of the heart, and the third day’s a corpse thief; this is the method of exorcism. If you wake from a dream, use your left hand to pinch the philtrum seven times, knock your teeth seven times, and softly chant: "Supremely Deep True Mystery, long cultivate the three souls. The first soul quickly guards the seven spirits, the second soul quickly guards the Niwan..."

Sun Simiao, in "Essential Formulas for Emergencies," states: "If you dream of evil at night, do not speak of it. In the morning, face east and, using water, chant: 'Evil dreams turn to grass and trees; good dreams turn to treasures.' Then there will be no harm." — vol. 45, "Secret Methods for Blessing Good and Bad Dreams."

Among the Han and several other ethnic groups, there are many customs involving talismans to drive away nightmares. In folk practice, after a bad dream one might write on the west wall: "Night dreams are ominous; written on the west wall, they turn auspicious at sunrise." Or one may spit on the south wall and draw a circle around it to signify confinement. Alternatively, some simply write a note reading "Nightmare betrayed" and post it in public, transferring the repercussions of the dream to others. Such writing and drawing must be done before sunrise, and speaking is forbidden. There is also a folk incantation recited three times upon waking to dispel a dream: "The sun rises in the east; I, your servant, dreamt a dream unknown to the spirits. Good dreams turn to wealth and treasures, bad dreams turn to water and mud—so be it." Recited three times, good dreams will naturally preserve their good fortune, and bad dreams will naturally dissolve into water and mud.

Additionally, the "Youyang Miscellany" records a possibly Buddhist-derived charm for avoiding nightmares. Tang Yongyi Jian states that carrying the Night God incantation brings merit and can dispel terrifying nightmares encountered during night travel and sleep. The incantation is: "Boshanshan." In the "Jade Box Record," there are also zodiac-based talismans for dispelling nightmares. The method is to take a mouthful of pure water, hold a knife in the right hand, shake it six or seven times, face east, and swallow. The incantation is: "Bright, bright sun; the sun rises in the east. This talisman cuts off nightmares and removes misfortune—urgently, as the law commands. Command." All of the above talismans are written on yellow paper in red ink and are worn or affixed according to the twelve zodiac signs.