Zhao Zhi

Historical Record

Zhao Zhi, a figure who served as a dream-interpreter under the Shu Han regime during the Three Kingdoms period, is recorded in the standard histories chiefly in connection with his interpretation of a dream for the great general Wei Yan. According to the Records of the Three Kingdoms, in the twelfth year of the Jianxing era of Shu Han (234 CE), the Chancellor Zhuge Liang led his army on a northern campaign, and Wei Yan, as a member of the vanguard, had a strange dream on the march, in which he saw horns growing on his own head. Uneasy about this dream, Wei Yan asked Zhao Zhi whether it was auspicious or ominous ^c:14743.

Facing Wei Yan's question, Zhao Zhi did not directly state the dream's ominous meaning, but adopted a roundabout manner of explanation. He cleverly interpreted "horns growing on the head" as an auspicious sign, telling Wei Yan: "The qilin has horns yet does not use them; this is an image of the enemy breaking apart of their own accord without a fight" ^c:14743, meaning that although the qilin has horns it does not lightly use them, portending that the enemy would collapse without battle, thereby reassuring Wei Yan. In private, however, Zhao Zhi revealed his true view of the dream to others. He explained: "The character for 'horn' (角) is 'use' (用) beneath 'knife' (刀); a knife used upon the head—its ill omen is severe indeed" ^c:14743. This shows that Zhao Zhi well knew the dream was in fact a sign of great misfortune, but out of some consideration chose to conceal the truth from Wei Yan. This event not only displays Zhao Zhi's professional traits as a dream-interpreter but also reflects, from the side, the subtle relationship between generals and their advisers in the Shu Han army at the time, as well as the importance of verbal strategy in particular circumstances. To some degree, this conduct of Zhao Zhi's also foreshadowed Wei Yan's later fate; although the historical sources do not directly link Zhao Zhi's interpretation to Wei Yan's ultimate end, the ill omen it portended coincides with Wei Yan's eventual death for rebellion.

In the Novel

In the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Zhao Zhi's image and deeds receive a more detailed and dramatized depiction, especially at the critical moment of Zhuge Liang's death and Wei Yan's rebellion ^c:3758. In the novel, Zhao Zhi's status is specified as "Marshal of the Marching Army," which grants him a higher position and a more direct possibility of participating in military decisions, although his principal duty remains divination and dream interpretation. After dreaming of horns growing on his head, Wei Yan actively invited Zhao Zhi to interpret the dream, expressly stating, "I have long known that you deeply understand the principles of the Book of Changes" ^c:3758, which highlights Zhao Zhi's attainments in the study of the Changes and lends his interpretation greater authority.

Similar to the historical record, before Wei Yan Zhao Zhi still interpreted "two horns growing on the head" as "a sign of great fortune: the qilin has horns on its head, the azure dragon has horns on its head—it is an image of transformation and soaring flight" ^c:3758, comforting Wei Yan with the imagery of qilin and azure dragon so that he was "greatly delighted." However, the novel further enriches Zhao Zhi's inner activity and the subsequent plot. After leaving Wei Yan's camp, Zhao Zhi met the Master of Writing Fei Yi. In his conversation with Fei Yi, Zhao Zhi candidly admitted his true thoughts about Wei Yan's dream, explaining the ominous meaning: "The form of the character 'horn' is 'use' beneath 'knife.' Now a knife is used upon the head—its ill omen is severe indeed!" ^c:3758. Upon hearing this, Fei Yi enjoined Zhao Zhi, "You must not let it leak out," and then proceeded to Wei Yan's quarters in an attempt to defuse the situation. Through this episode, the novel not only reinforces Zhao Zhi's character trait of "twisting an ill omen into an auspicious one out of tact," but also places him within the vortex of the internal power struggle of Shu Han, making him an indirect factor in escalating the conflict between Wei Yan and Yang Yi. In the novel, Zhao Zhi is no longer merely a simple dream-interpreter, but a character who, in a complex political environment, is cautious in word and deed and deeply versed in human affairs.

Key Relationships

* Wei Yan (advises_in): Zhao Zhi's relationship with Wei Yan is the core of his biography. Whether in the historical record or in the novel's portrayal, Zhao Zhi plays the role of interpreting Wei Yan's dream. After Wei Yan dreamed of horns growing on his head, Zhao Zhi was summoned by Wei Yan ^c:3758 to interpret the dream. On the surface Zhao Zhi interpreted the ill omen as auspicious, comforting Wei Yan with the metaphors of qilin and azure dragon ^c:3758, but in private he revealed to others his true view that the dream was a sign of great misfortune ^c:14743. This relationship reveals Zhao Zhi's caution and adroitness in facing his superiors, as well as his deeply hidden discernment.
* Fei Yi (unique to the novel): In the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Zhao Zhi has an important conversation with Fei Yi. After interpreting Wei Yan's dream, Zhao Zhi candidly disclosed the dream's ominous meaning to Fei Yi, explaining that "the form of the character 'horn' is 'use' beneath 'knife'" ^c:3758. After learning the truth, Fei Yi enjoined Zhao Zhi not to let it leak out and then proceeded to Wei Yan's quarters in an attempt to avert the crisis. This relationship displays Zhao Zhi's standpoint within the complex political situation and Fei Yi's mediating ability, and further highlights Zhao Zhi's clear-eyed grasp of the situation.

Iconic Scenes

* Interpreting Wei Yan's dream of "horns growing on the head": This is Zhao Zhi's best-known iconic scene, running through both the historical sources and the novel. Wei Yan dreamed of horns growing on his head and, uneasy, summoned Zhao Zhi ^c:14743. Before Wei Yan, Zhao Zhi cleverly interpreted "horns growing on the head" as "the qilin has horns yet does not use them; this is an image of the enemy breaking apart of their own accord without a fight" ^c:14743, or "the qilin has horns on its head, the azure dragon has horns on its head—it is an image of transformation and soaring flight" ^c:3758, to reassure Wei Yan. This scene not only displays Zhao Zhi's professional skill as a dream-interpreter but also highlights his character of tactful accommodation and caution in speech.
* Privately telling Fei Yi the dream was in fact a great misfortune (unique to the novel): In the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, after leaving Wei Yan's camp, Zhao Zhi met Fei Yi. He privately revealed to Fei Yi his true view of Wei Yan's dream, stating bluntly, "The form of the character 'horn' is 'use' beneath 'knife.' Now a knife is used upon the head—its ill omen is severe indeed!" ^c:3758. This scene concentrates Zhao Zhi's character and wisdom: he could both respond tactfully before his superiors and bare his true feelings to a confidant, displaying his ability to understand the ways of the world and read people's hearts. This scene also foreshadows Wei Yan's later tragic end, giving Zhao Zhi's role greater depth and influence in the novel.