The gates of horn and ivory are a literary image used to distinguish true dreams (corresponding to factual occurrences) from false. The phrase originated in the Greek language, in which the word for "horn" is similar to that for "fulfil" and the word for "ivory" is similar to that for "deceive". On the basis of that play on words, true dreams are spoken of as coming through the gates of horn, false dreams as coming through those of ivory.
Read more about Gates Of Horn And Ivory: The Odyssey, Echoes in Later Greek Literature, The Aeneid, Other Latin Writing, English Writing, Music
Famous quotes containing the words gates, horn and/or ivory:
“Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of exiles.”
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“He who goes oftenest round Cape Horn goes the most circumspectly.”
—Herman Melville (1819–1891)
“We have fallen in the dreams the Ever-living
Breathe on the burnished mirror of the world
And then smooth out with ivory hands and sigh,
And find their laughter sweeter to the taste
For that brief sighing.”
—William Butler Yeats (1865–1939)