dreamDictionary.alsoKnownAs: roll down
In a dream, a 山崩 represents great misfortune befalling a leading figure or the state.
In a dream, a **山崩** represents great misfortune befalling a leading figure or the state. (Court dream interpreted by scholar Qiao Zhou.) Seeing a **mountain collapse** in a dream means that “the prime minister will meet with a great calamity” (主丞相有大凶之事). [C1]
dictionary.source: *Romance Three Kingdoms* (novelistic historiography; court omen-reading scene) **Block label:** <FALLBACK: RELATED MOTIF> <End block> <Start block> **Earth Fissure / Ground Cracking (地裂)** In a , **地裂** represents **disintegration ill fortune**, including illness officialdom household decline. If one s ** ground cracking**, it means “a sign disintegration; illness bureaus; commoners’ households decline; members separate; many matters turn unfavorable.” [C2] Dream Interpreter: *Duanmeng Mishu* (《断梦秘书》) **Block label:** <FALLBACK: RELATED MOTIF> <End block>
Note on coverage: I found no direct attestations in Chinese oneiromantic texts using the specific snow-based term “Avalanche / 雪崩”. Accordingly, I have applied the prompt’s strict fallback protocol and limited the results to attested Chinese motifs functionally analogous to an avalanche (i.e., mountain collapse / earth fissure) with explicit, citable passages. Evidence Catalog [C1] 罗贯中 — 《三国演义》卷/回一〇五（“武侯预伏锦囊计，魏主拆取承露盘”）。n.d. (Ming novel; standard chapter ordering). Online text. Quote: “今陛下梦山崩，正应此兆。” / “主丞相有大凶之事。” Notes: Court astrologer 谯周 interprets the emperor’s dream of mountain collapse as a dire omen, immediately followed by news of Zhuge Liang’s death; establishes 山崩 as a dream-portent of major loss. Tag: <FALLBACK MOTIF: Mountain Collapse> URL: ctext chapter view; alt. Wikisource text. ctext.org+2zh.wikisource.org+2 [C2] （佚名，后世辑）— 《断梦秘书》，“地舆类 甲·梦大地”条，近世通行本。Online facsimile/excerpt. Quote: “梦地裂：是为分崩之兆，主宫府疾病，常人家业衰替，人口不宁，兄弟分居，母妻有变，诸事不利，慎之为是。” Notes: Classic Chinese oneiromancy compendium; the 地裂 entry explicitly links ground-cracking dreams with 分崩（disintegration）and a suite of misfortunes; frequently cited by later dream-books. Tag: <FALLBACK MOTIF: Earth Fissure> URL: Excerpted text (searchable preview). Scribd Sources (full citations) [C1] 罗贯中（Luo Guanzhong）. 《三国演义》, 回一〇五 “武侯预伏锦囊计，魏主拆取承露盘”. Accessible texts: 中国哲学书电子化计划（CTEXT）章节页（回105）. ctext.org 维基文库《三国演义/第105回》. zh.wikisource.org 古诗文网回105条目（对读版）. m.gushiwen.cn [C2] 《断梦秘书》(Duanmeng Mishu, “Secret Manual for Judging Dreams”). 华亭姚文祺等传本，后世广为流布之辑本。 引用条目： “地舆类 甲·梦大地：梦地裂……” 在线可检版本（段落预览/影印）：Scribd 《断梦秘书》全本（含所引条文）. Scribd —— Methodological flags No direct “Avalanche/雪崩” hits located in classical Chinese dream-books or canonical literature with explicit dream-portents; therefore, per your instructions, I confined the analysis to attested Chinese fallback motifs that are functionally equivalent to a mass of mountain/snow rapidly collapsing: 山崩 (mountain collapse) and 地裂 (ground rupture), both tightly linked to disaster portents in Chinese sources. If you’d like, I can narrow further within a specific corpus/edition (e.g., 梦林玄解崇祯九年本影印) and pull juan/page images where 山崩/地裂条文出现。 Term: Avalanche Tradition: Islamic Tradition Synonyms & search terms actually used: avalanche; avalanches; “snow slide”; thalj (ثَلْج, snow); jليد (ice); bَرَد (hail); heavy snow; snowstorm; buried in snow; mountain collapse (inhidām al-jabal/انهدام الجبل); earth caving-in (khasf/الخسف); landslide Last checked: October 2, 2025 Structured Interpretations <Start of block> Snow (Thalj) In a dream, snow (thalj) represents provisions and benefits, or healing from “cold” illnesses, and—contextually—hardship or obstruction. Seeing snow in its season means the removal of worries and humbling of enemies; out of season it signals cold illnesses or paralysis, and it can delay travel and impede couriers and porters. Abundant, overwhelming snow can indicate a ruler’s harshness toward subjects. [N-THALJ-1] If one sees snow falling upon him, it can portend a long journey (with possible harm); sleeping on snow signifies torment. [N-THALJ-2]
dictionary.source: ʿAbd al-Ghanī al-Nābulusī, Taʿṭīr al-Anām fī Taʿbīr al-Manām
Block label: <FALLBACK: RELATED MOTIF> <End of block> <Start of block> Snow / Hail (as climatic reversal) In a dream, snow or hail seen by someone in a hot country indicates rising prices or drought; by contrast, in a cold country, seeing snow, rain, and hail indicates a good harvest and prosperity. [IS-SNOW-1]
dictionary.source: Ibn Sīrīn (attributed), Dictionary Dreams (Eng. trans.)
Block label: <FALLBACK: RELATED MOTIF> <End of block> <Start of block> Earth Caving-In (Khasf) Khasf (the ground caving-in) in a dream is a threat from the ruler. If the earth caves in beneath someone, he suffers punishment; khasf in a certain locality signifies severe illness striking its people. [N-KHASF-1]
dictionary.source: ʿAbd al-Ghanī al-Nābulusī, Taʿṭīr al-Anām
Block label: <FALLBACK: RELATED MOTIF> <End of block> <Start of block> Mountain Falling/Burning (Inhidām al-Jabal) If a mountain burns or falls, a man of great importance dies, or a sovereign overpowers him. If a mountain quakes then settles, the king of that land suffers hardship then recovers and the people’s affairs improve. [N-JABAL-1]
dictionary.source: ʿAbd al-Ghanī al-Nābulusī, Taʿṭīr al-Anām
Block label: <FALLBACK: RELATED MOTIF> <End of block> Note (coverage): After targeted searching, I found no direct attestation for “Avalanche/avalanche of snow” in classical Islamic oneiromancy lexica. The above blocks therefore present strict, closely related motifs actually attested in those sources (snow; earth cave-in; mountain collapse) that capture the functional features of an avalanche (mass of snow; burying/immobilizing; sudden collapse down a mountain). Evidence Catalog [N-THALJ-1] ʿAbd al-Ghanī al-Nābulusī — Taʿṭīr al-Anām fī Taʿbīr al-Manām, “باب الثاء: ثلج”. Digital ed. (Shamela). Entry page. URL: Shamela Quote: “(ثلج) رؤيته في المنام دليل على الأرزاق والفوائد، والشفاء من الأمراض الباردة… فإن رؤي الثلج في أوانه كان دليلاً على ذهاب الهموم… وإن ظهر في غير أوانه كان دليلاً على الأمراض الباردة والفالج… وربما دل الثلج على تعطيل الأسفار…” Notes: Full entry lists multiple conditions (seasonal timing; travel hindrance; political harshness). Tag: FALLBACK MOTIF: Snow (Thalj) [N-THALJ-2] ʿAbd al-Ghanī al-Nābulusī — Taʿṭīr al-Anām, “باب الثاء: ثلج”. Digital ed. (Shamela). Continuation lines of the same entry. URL: Shamela Quote: “(ومن رأى) أن الثلج يقع عليه سافر سفراً بعيداً… فإن رأى أنه نائم على الثلج…” Notes: Same lemma; sub-conditions on personal exposure to snow. Tag: FALLBACK MOTIF: Snow (Thalj) [IS-SNOW-1] Ibn Sīrīn’s Dictionary of Dreams (Eng. trans., commonly circulated Al-Akili version). “Snow/Hail” note on climate context. Archive.org text. URL: Internet Archive Quote: “if one who lives in a hot country sees snow or hail… it means rising prices or drought… in a cold country… good harvest and prosperity.” Notes: Attributed to Ibn Sīrīn; English translation; widely cited in Islamic dream handbooks. Tag: FALLBACK MOTIF: Snow (Thalj) [N-KHASF-1] ʿAbd al-Ghanī al-Nābulusī — Taʿṭīr al-Anām, “باب الخاء: خسف”. Digital ed. (Shamela). URL: Shamela Quote: “(خسف) في المنام تهديد من السلطان. … (ومن رأى) أن الأرض انخسفت به فإنه يصيبه عذاب… الخسف في جهة من الأرض مرض شديد يصيب أهلها.” Notes: Khasf = sinking/caving of earth; a collapse motif akin to being overwhelmed/buried. Tag: FALLBACK MOTIF: Earth caving-in (Khasf) [N-JABAL-1] ʿAbd al-Ghanī al-Nābulusī — Taʿṭīr الAnām, “رؤيا الجبل”. Curated HTML of Nābulusī’s lemma. URL: Mktbtk Quote: “فإن رأى أن الجبل احترق أو سقط فإنه يموت رجل عظيم الخطر…” Notes: Mountain collapse as authority/power falling; also contains variants on mountain quaking then settling. Tag: FALLBACK MOTIF: Mountain falling (Inhidām al-Jabal) [N-METH-1] ʿAbd al-Ghanī al-Nābulusī — Taʿṭīr al-Anām, Preface (methodological rule on climate/locale). Digital ed. (Shamela). URL: Shamela Quote: “…كالذي يرى في بلاد الحر ثلجاً أو جليداً أو برداً فإنه يدل على الغلاء والقحط…” Notes: Methodological principle Nābulusī cites (locale-sensitive meanings for snow/ice/hail). Tag: FALLBACK MOTIF: Snow (Thalj) — method context Sources (full citations) [N-THALJ-1], [N-THALJ-2], [N-KHASF-1], [N-JABAL-1], [N-METH-1] — ʿAbd al-Ghanī b. Ismāʿīl al-Nābulusī (d. 1143/1731). Taʿṭīr al-Anām fī Taʿbīr al-Manām. Various digital editions: • “باب الثاء: ثلج (Thalj)” and continuation; Shamela digital ed., entry page (no fixed pagination in web edition). Shamela • “باب الخاء: خسف (Khasf)”; Shamela digital ed. Shamela • “رؤيا الجبل (Jabal)”; curated extraction of Nābulusī’s lemma. Mktbtk • Preface methodological note (locale/climate rule for snow/ice/hail); Shamela digital ed. Shamela [IS-SNOW-1] — Ibn Sīrīn’s Dictionary of Dreams: According to Islamic Inner Traditions. (Eng. trans., commonly circulating edition attributed to Muhammad M. Al-Akili; year varies by printing). Public text stream (archive.org) with the snow/hail passage. Internet Archive Direct-term check (transparency) Result:
In a Buddhist context, an avalanche could symbolize the overwhelming nature of suffering (dukkha) and impermanence (anicca). The sheer force represents the intensity of challenges life throws at us, while the uncontrollable nature highlights the illusion of control we often cling to. If one dreams of an avalanche, it suggests they might be feeling overwhelmed by negative emotions, external pressures, or a perceived lack of control over their circumstances. This serves as a reminder to cultivate acceptance and equanimity in the face of difficulties, focusing on inner peace rather than external control.
dictionary.source:
If the avalanche is experienced as silent or gentle, it may signify a gradual but significant shift in one's life. Unlike a sudden catastrophic event, this gentler form could represent the subtle but persistent erosion of unwholesome habits or beliefs. It suggests an opportunity for mindful awareness, allowing one to recognize these gradual changes and consciously choose a path of greater well-being. Seeing a slow-motion avalanche could be a call to pay closer attention to the subtle forces shaping one's life, fostering self-awareness before it is too late.
dictionary.source: Adaptation
Experiencing an avalanche while meditating or engaged in spiritual practice might indicate a breakthrough or a major obstacle on the spiritual path. The overwhelming force can signify the shattering of old patterns and the unveiling of deeper truths. Conversely, it could represent clinging to established beliefs and fear of letting go, preventing one from progressing further. Discerning the true meaning requires introspection and guidance, considering whether the avalanche brings feelings of fear and resistance or liberation and clarity.
dictionary.source: Adaptation
The surrounding environment and one's reaction within the dream significantly shapes its interpretation. For instance, an avalanche near a temple might point to challenges within the sangha (community) or perceived flaws within established teachings. If one is able to escape the avalanche through skillful means, it symbolizes the potential to overcome obstacles through wisdom and compassion. Conversely, being buried and suffocated represents being trapped by ignorance and attachment.
dictionary.source: Contextual Application
Since no direct interpretations exist for avalanches in traditional Chinese dream lore, related symbols of mountain collapse and earth fissures serve as analogous signs. Generally, these symbols represent large-scale disruption and misfortune, reflecting a loss of stability and order within one’s life or community. The magnitude of the collapse often corresponds to the severity of the predicted hardship. Dreaming of such events warns of potential instability and the need for vigilance.
dictionary.source: related motifs (Mountain Collapse Earth Fissure)
Due to the lack of direct interpretations for "avalanche" in classical Islamic dream lexica, we draw upon related motifs to understand its symbolic meaning. An avalanche, being a sudden and overwhelming descent of snow or earth, is connected to themes of disruption, loss, and the overwhelming power of nature. Interpretations focus on snow, earth cave-ins, and mountain collapses. These serve as proxies to infer potential meanings within the framework of Islamic dream interpretation.
dictionary.source: ʿAbd al-Ghanī al-Nābulusī attributed to Ibn Sīrīn.
Overwhelming snow in a dream, resembling the force of an avalanche, may indicate harsh treatment from a ruler or figure of authority. If the dream involves being buried or overwhelmed by snow, it suggests a long and potentially harmful journey ahead, or torment. Earth caving-in ( *khasf* ) specifically represents a threat from a ruler and punishment for the individual. Mountain collapse (*inhidām al-jabal*) symbolizes the death of an important figure or the loss of power. All of these suggest the dreamer may endure hardship that will test their resilience.
dictionary.source: ʿAbd al-Ghanī al-Nābulusī attributed to Ibn Sīrīn.
The meaning of snow and related phenomena in dreams can shift depending on the climate and season. In a hot country, seeing snow or hail suggests rising prices or drought. However, in a cold country, the same elements denote a good harvest and prosperity. Such differences align with the principle of interpreting by opposition, where an unusual event signifies its opposite in the dreamer's reality. The seasonal context in which the snow is seen also contributes greatly to its interpretation.
dictionary.source: ʿAbd al-Ghanī al-Nābulusī attributed to Ibn Sīrīn.
While there is no direct mention of avalanches in classical Islamic dream dictionaries, the interpretations above provide a way to understand such an event. The meanings are drawn from closely related motifs. The functional aspects of an avalanche (mass of snow, burying/immobilizing, sudden collapse down a mountain) have related interpretations. This approach allows for a meaningful application of established oneiromantic principles. Avalanche General Principle Given that the specific term "avalanche" is absent from traditional Christian dream interpretations, we must rely on closely related motifs to infer its symbolic meaning. Since an avalanche is a destructive and overwhelming event involving snow and collapse, dreamers can interpret it through the lens of these elements. Seeing snow, in general, represents joy and gladness, implying that an avalanche might suggest overwhelming or sudden joy. Conversely, ruin and collapse signify deceit or cheating, indicating the possibility of unexpected betrayal or instability associated with the avalanche.
dictionary.source: *Somniale Danielis* (Latin/Italian vernacular tradition, inferred meaning)
An avalanche, while rooted in snow which represents joy, is an inherently destructive force. An avalanche witnessed in a dream might symbolize sudden, overwhelming challenges that threaten stability. Since the *ruina* or collapse aspect of the avalanche indicates deceit, the dreamer might be facing potential treachery or unexpected hardship that could lead to ruin. Thus, an avalanche, in its more intense interpretation, points towards experiencing overwhelming betrayal or unexpected deceit that carries the potential for significant personal upheaval.
dictionary.source: *Somniale Danielis* (Latin/Italian vernacular tradition, inferred meaning)
A general interpretation of a sudden, overwhelming force like an avalanche might symbolize overwhelming life circumstances or internal struggles. It could represent a build-up of emotions or unresolved issues that suddenly erupt. This is because sudden disasters often reflect unexpected changes and disruptions in one's life path. One might consider it a warning to address underlying problems before they become unmanageable.
dictionary.source: Speculative Disaster Imagery
Due to the lack of a direct interpretation of "avalanche" in Hindu dream traditions, we can infer from related symbols. Mountains and peaks generally signify success and positive outcomes. The act of climbing such heights in a dream is considered beneficial, suggesting progress and achievement. The mountain itself represents aspiration and reaching a higher state, symbolizing spiritual growth and overcoming obstacles.
dictionary.source: Agni Purāṇa (Svapna-adhyāya)
Conversely, the sudden and destructive nature of an avalanche, which is a major theme for the interpretation, aligns with unfavorable omens in dreams. Natural calamities like earthquakes or the collapse of buildings are viewed as inauspicious, portending misfortune. Similarly, falling from a great height signifies adverse outcomes, suggesting a loss of status, security, or control. These symbols reflect the destructive force and abrupt downward movement associated with an avalanche.
dictionary.source: Agni Purāṇa (Svapna-adhyāya)
The interpretation of a dream involving avalanche-like events could depend on the dreamer’s role and response. If one is caught in the falling snow, the dream symbolizes unexpected setbacks. However, if one watches the avalanche from a safe distance or finds a way to safety, it represents awareness and the ability to avoid major disaster. Therefore, the dreamer's relationship to and reaction to the event shapes its specific implications within the overall auspicious or inauspicious context.
dictionary.source: Agni Purāṇa (Svapna-adhyāya)
In this context, an avalanche directly correlates with facing intense karma ripening or the manifestation of deep-seated fears and unresolved issues. The destructive power reflects the consequences of past actions or the overwhelming impact of negative mental states. If one is caught in the avalanche, it could indicate a period of intense suffering and a need for resilience and compassionate self-awareness. Finding refuge within the avalanche, on the other hand, might suggest the ability to find inner peace amidst chaos and transform suffering into wisdom.
dictionary.source: based on Karma Suffering
A dream of mountain collapse (山崩) foretells severe misfortune, particularly for those in positions of power. This may indicate the downfall of a leading figure, or calamity befalling the state. The collapse symbolizes an overwhelming loss, signifying a significant and devastating event is imminent. The scale of the mountain’s destruction reflects the depth of the impending disaster.
dictionary.source: *Romance Three Kingdoms* (adapted)
The intensity of misfortune may relate to the visual scale of the avalanche or the magnitude of the earthquake. A larger collapse, a more visible fissure, or a more destructive event are linked to greater negativity in the predicted experience.
dictionary.source: Interpretive Synthesis
An avalanche in a dream, in a general sense, can represent a sudden and overwhelming event that signifies potential disruption or change in waking life. This symbol highlights the potential for unexpected challenges and the need for caution in navigating complex situations. If one sees an avalanche, it indicates a need to prepare for unforeseen circumstances and to assess potential risks in personal endeavors. This is because avalanches often represent events beyond immediate control, suggesting the importance of adaptability and resilience when faced with adversity. Should the dreamer feel overwhelmed by the avalanche, it points to a need for support and guidance to manage significant transitions or obstacles.
dictionary.source: DreamWell data
Experiencing an avalanche as a trauma re-experiencing nightmare suggests unresolved emotional wounds that need healing. If the dreamer experiences recurrent nightmares of avalanches after a real-world event, it signifies that they may be grappling with post-traumatic stress. This aligns with the DSM-5's definition of a "recurrent distressing dream... related to the traumatic event(s)." Should the dream feature victims or the dreamer themselves in a state of distress, it could signify a deeper emotional impact of the trauma, requiring professional intervention to process. Such dreams might reflect the need to confront difficult memories and emotions to achieve emotional healing and integration.
dictionary.source: Clinical avalanche studies
The presence of an avalanche in a dream can be tied to waking life experiences and preoccupations. If one is frequently engaging in high-risk activities like skiing or avalanche rescue, it means the dream may merely reflect these waking-life concerns. This interpretation aligns with the "continuity hypothesis," suggesting that our daily experiences often carry over into our dreams. Should the dreamer be actively engaged with avalanche-related news or events, the dream may be a result of heightened salience and awareness, influencing dream content. Conversely, the dream might point to unresolved anxieties around these activities, highlighting the need for increased safety measures or risk assessment in waking life.
dictionary.source: Schredl (2003), Continuity between waking activities activities
An avalanche in a dream broadly signifies a powerful and impactful event, though its specific meaning varies greatly depending on the cultural lens and the dreamer's experience within the dream. An avalanche often represents a sudden shift in circumstances or a looming force. Its impact can be interpreted through contrary symbolism in some cultural traditions.
dictionary.source: Lady Stearn Robinson & Tom Corbett, Miss Hasse's Dream Book
Seeing an avalanche, or hearing its roar, often signifies impending danger and contempt from those around you. If one is buried by an avalanche, it indicates misfortune for yourself or someone close to you. Seeing an avalanche rush and swallow someone suggests witnessing a tragic accident in your waking life.
dictionary.source: Miss Hasse's Dream Book
The dreamer's actions within the avalanche play a crucial role in understanding its meaning. If one stops an avalanche in their dream, it signifies being at the peak of one's abilities and demonstrating significant personal mastery in waking life. Conversely, being buried by an avalanche can indicate an unexpected stroke of good luck, a complete reversal of fortune.
dictionary.source: Lady Stearn Robinson & Tom Corbett, Miss Hasse's Dream Book
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