ABSTRACT
The nineteenth century saw considerable development in the study of symbols, by anthropologists and writers in other fields. The specific recognition of symbols as a subject of study had begun in the classical historical area but soon broadened out in comparative study in Oriental and other exotic societies, of myth, religious concept and ritual behaviour. Symbols were recognized as constructed objects, human art products, needing instruction to identify and interpret, but subject to rule or principle. There was a notion of symbols as constituting a language, and language as having a symbolic power. Symbols were regarded as corresponding to an 'inner world' of reality not otherwise comprehensible. This inner world was primarily not one of conscious conceptualization; it had intellectual components but a strong base of emotion and feeling. So it was not long before the symbolism of dreams was recognized as reflecting complex facets of the personality.
