Final answer:
In Paulo Coelho's novel 'The Alchemist', Santiago is guided by a recurring dream featuring a child who tells him to dig at the base of the pyramids for treasure, reflecting the human tendency to seek guidance from omens.
Step-by-step explanation:
The omen that shows Santiago where to dig when he nears the pyramids in Paulo Coelho's novel The Alchemist is a dream about a child who tells him to dig at the foot of the pyramids. This dream leads Santiago on his quest to find the treasure that is central to the novel's plot. Throughout history, different cultures have placed great importance on omens and signs, using them to guide decisions and interpret the will of the gods or the universe. Notably, pre-Columbian civilizations such as the Aztecs and the Incas viewed celestial events and natural disasters as omens. Similarly, in ancient Egypt, alignments of celestial bodies with structures like the pyramids of Giza were significant in their cultural and religious practices. Santiago's journey is, therefore, a reflection of this ancient human tendency to seek meaning and direction from the signs that present themselves to us.