A Contribution to the Knowledge of the Number Dream

Carl Jung

May 2024 · The Complete Early Works of Carl Jung Book 3 · Minerva Heritage Press

About this ebook

C.G. Jung's 1911 work, A Contribution to the Knowledge of the Dream of Numbers (original German title "Ein Beitrag zur Kenntnis des Zahlentraumes"), delves into the symbolic and unconscious processes manifested through numbers in dreams, showing how numerical symbols encode complex psychological and emotional conflicts. Through detailed case studies, Jung illustrates how seemingly arbitrary numbers in dreams often reflect meaningful associations tied to the dreamer's personal experiences, relationships, and unconscious motivations. He emphasizes that numbers in dreams are not purely random, but rather function as symbols rooted in the unconscious, capable of revealing deep insights into the dreamer's inner conflicts.

This was published in "Zentralblatt für Psychoanalyse" in Wiesbaden in 1910. This was one of 8 articles he contributed to this magazine defending the scientific nature of Psychology. This new translation aims to make these early scientific works by Jung (which were designed to be read by academics) to be easily read by today's modern reader, with the academic references removed and the language clear and simple.

This updated edition features a modern, accessible translation designed to make Carl Jung's early scientific works—originally written for academic audiences—readable and engaging for contemporary readers. Complementing the translation is an illuminating Afterword by the translator, which delves into the philosophical foundations, historical context, and enduring relevance of Jung’s ideas. The Afterword not only clarifies this particular work for today’s audience but also situates it within the broader trajectory of Jung’s intellectual and clinical development. Enhanced by a detailed timeline of Jung’s life and works, along with other carefully curated supplementary materials, this edition provides rich context by embedding Jung’s theories within his personal, cultural, and historical environment. By removing dense academic references and adopting clear, straightforward language, this translation invites both newcomers and seasoned scholars to explore the origins of Jungian psychology with fresh insight and accessibility.

One notable case involves a middle-aged man whose dream contained the number "2477," initially interpreted as a financial calculation related to his extramarital relationship. Upon deeper analysis, the number was found to encapsulate significant personal associations, including family ties and emotional attachments. Jung shows how the patient's unconscious used numerical symbols to reconcile the conflict between his familial obligations and romantic entanglements. Similarly, Jung analyzes another dream in which the number "152" relates to both financial anxieties and emotional betrayals in the patient's romantic life. These analyses underscore Jung's belief that numerical symbolism is a product of the creative and associative processes of the unconscious mind, which often serve to express emotional realities indirectly. In exploring these numerical motifs, Jung not only reveals the depth of unconscious symbolism, but also illustrates his methodological emphasis on reinforcement and free association as tools for uncovering psychological meaning.

About the author

Carl Gustav Jung, a Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, is credited with founding analytical psychology, a framework that has profoundly influenced both psychological theory and practice. Born on July 26, 1875, in Kesswil, Switzerland, Jung first studied medicine and later specialized in psychiatry. His early association with Sigmund Freud significantly shaped his theoretical perspectives, particularly regarding the unconscious. However, Jung departed from Freud's emphasis on sexuality and instead proposed concepts such as the collective unconscious and archetypes - universal symbols that resonate across cultures. His exploration of individuation, the process of self-realization, emphasized the importance of integrating different aspects of the psyche. Jung's contributions extend beyond psychology into fields such as religion, art, and mythology, where his insights into human behavior and symbolism continue to resonate. He died on June 6, 1961, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to inspire both practitioners and scholars in the field of depth psychology.