dream symbol

Stairs / Staircase Dream Meaning

According to Jung, stairs are a clear symbol of psychological growth, whereas Freud attributed phallic symbolism to the image. In general, dreams stairs are thought to represent feelings in connection with achievement, failure, climbing and falling. To dream that you are walking up a flight of stairs indicates that you are achieving a higher level of understanding. You are making progress in your journey, whether it is a spiritual, emotional or material one. To dream that you are walking down a flight of stairs suggests that you are descending into your unconscious. It also refers to setbacks that you will experience in your life. To see spiral or winding stairs signify growth and / or rebirth.

If you are running up a staircase in your dream home, this suggests an attempt to escape from an unconscious urge by taking refuge in the abstract or intellectual.

If you are running up the stairs in fear, this suggests a lack of confidence, a fear of failing or not being capable in some way.

If you are running up the stairs with pleasure, then it suggests exuberance, and a possible change in your feelings and situation.

If you are going down the stairs in fear, a loss of belief in your own ability is implied.

If you trip on the stairs, this may suggest problems you have brought upon yourself by meddling in the affairs of other people

A dream often experienced by children is that of skimming down stairs; this dream feels almost like flying down the stairs, the feet just touching the edge of the stairs every so often, creating an exhilarating sense of pleasure. The reason for the dream is that it represents a task—the climbing of stairs—that once seemed daunting to a toddler, but which now has been mastered, giving rise to the sense of effortless achievement symbolized by ‘skimming’. Finally, using an escalator instead of stairs in your home, or anywhere else, may express a certain lack of emotional commitment to a person or project in waking life. A dream of walking against the direction of the escalator suggests frustration at a lack of personal progress. [1]

What Do You Think About This Dream?

Sources and Authors

  1. The Element Encyclopedia by Theresa Cheung [Back to dream]

What does STAIRS / STAIRCASE mean in a dream?


If the dreamer is climbing the stairs, then he is “on his way to the top.” If the staircase is bright and cheery, the climb to the top will be...

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Changes and transformation starting from below (the unconscious) and coming to the surface (consciousness), or vice versa.A frequent symbol in fairy tales and movies, suggesting personal growth and wholeness.The landings...

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According to Jung, stairs are a clear symbol of psychological growth, whereas Freud attributed phallic symbolism to the image. In general, dreams stairs are thought to represent feelings in connection...

Learn more about the meaning of Stairs / Staircase

Vision: Seeing a spiral staircase: this complicated structure is always forcing us to move in tight circles. You will be thrown back on your own devices. Try to get off...

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1. If the staircase is leading up and one climbs it, there is an opportunity for change.2. If one is coming down a staircase, one feels unsuccessful.3. Sexual activity (up...

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A staircase allows you to move from one place to a destination that is located above or below you. Stairs are symbolic of your ability to raise your consciousness to...

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Stains are a sign of guilt.If you discover a stain on clothing, it shows that you need to conduct a thorough cleaning in your daily life. The stain might be...

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Stairs are about our ambitions or where we’re heading. Climbing stairs is a metaphor of your fierce ambition and ability to face up to challenges in your life.• More generally...

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Things we repeat over and over, like habits; move­ment towards greater awareness or insight.Example: We walk around, go upstairs, and I notice a staircase leading to a room or rooms.The...

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Reaching a stage of advancement— social and conscious. Often, stopping in order to gain a better view. Stairs also represent an interim stage between above and below—between head and belly,...

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Climbing stairs constructed of unbaked bricks suggest that he will enjoy honour in the world by giving charity.

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Having written a dream down, by using highlighting pens to make all matching words the same colour, one can immediately see the main issues in some dreams.Example: ‘We walk around,...

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see Ascent, Descent, Staircase, Storey

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(Conveyor, Steps, Travels) In a dream, stairways represent the vehicle of rising in station, advancement in worldly gains, seeking the blessings of the hereafter, and the rising of one’s station...

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Indicates that positive steps were taken, for “up” is a step of faith; see “staircase”

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Dreams of feeling down, falling down, or descending a staircase or an elevator symbolize that you are getting down to the heart of the matter and discovering the truth of...

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See Smoke. Cleansing, but also pollution.A phallic symbol.See also Column, Tree, Stairs.

Learn more about the meaning of Chimney

If you dream of a balcony, ledge or sill, this suggests a need for support and protection in your life. An elevator or lift in a dream usually suggests how...

Learn more about the meaning of Components Of A Building

The support that brings everything back into order. Honesty and civil courage.See Stairs, Tower, Skyscraper / High-Rise.

Learn more about the meaning of Spine

(see Ascetic, Ascent, Balcony, Climbing, Ladder, Stairs)Achievements. Overcoming the odds and getting a second chance. Many heroic figures await their rebirth in a mountainside tomb. Merlin is one such figure.Doing...

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To dream of a descent - by elevator, stairs or otherwise - means you are ready to explore your inner feelings.

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The obvious meaning is success through effort. Where do I want to go? Is the goal worth the effort? See Stairs, Ladder.

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Whether up mountains, hills, stairs, or what have you, an increase in status and/or prosperity is forecast in a climbing dream; even if the effort seemed to tax your stretch...

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Emotional and senseless action that requires more clarity and insight. Pay attention to the reality of everyday life. Often reveals a distrust of Self.See Fool, Belt, Door, Stairs.

Learn more about the meaning of Insanity

Climbing a ladder or stars symbolises the religion of Islam by virtue of which he will acquire high stations in the Hereafter.

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Climbing any of these suggest that he will attain high status in the world provided their is something in the dream to suggest this.

Learn more about the meaning of Stairs Of Baked Bricks, Timber Or Mortar

Dreams of a step signify progress toward a dream, plan or goal. Consider if you are taking a step forward or a step backward. Keep in mind, sometimes you have...

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Assistance to move forward or upward, or to accomplish what you want in life.Movement between aspects of your consciousness (subconscious, conscious, spiritual, etc.), represented by the different floors.See Stairs, Descending,...

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Dreams of climbing stairs, hills or mountains reflect on your ambitions and your ability to face up to challenges in daily life. Were you climbing with ease or difficulty? See...

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Material aspects: If we are climbing stairs, or going up in an elevator or lift, we are making a movement towards waking or becoming more aware; we are making an...

Learn more about the meaning of Ascending / Ascension

lucky numbers: 08-09-13-14-21-37of, cotton: wealth from completion of an industrious task. old woman dreaming of, an: annoyance and anxiety from your fable of events. operating a, wheel: wil not be...

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Your subconscious mind.Subconscious or basic instincts or desires.Something that you keep hidden or that’s not intended for public knowledge.Storing or holding onto things long term (such as grudges or outdated...

Learn more about the meaning of Basement

a vision of a ladder, for the people of righteousness [it is interpreted as] victory over the enemies. And for the people of corruption [it is interpreted as] debt and...

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Towers symbolize ascending. In the Middle Ages, towers and bell towers could serve as watchtowers, but they had a meaning of a staircase between earth and heaven (in those times,...

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1- We are becoming conscious of being able to cxcrcise control over passion or sexual pleasure.2- The transition from expressing our energy through sex to expressing it in self-awareness is...

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(see Abyss, Cliff, Climbing, Ladder, Stairs)The need for improved balance and control; feeling helpless.Going beyond safe boundaries and losing yourself; overextension.A phobia: The fear of falling (or fear of heights)...

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Example: ‘1 look down and the stairs and bannister rail are swarming alive with a black moving wave of crawling things, like some awful insects; and in the hallway is...

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A passageway or hallway can represent: A transition from one phase to another in your life.A change or new beginning.A connection from one dream area (or one point in time)...

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(see Airplane, Balloon, Clouds, Ladder, Mountain, Stairs, Wings)Broader perspectives and higher outlooks on any situation.If on the journey up, your head literally reaches into the clouds, put those flights of...

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Dreaming of accidents in the home means tension may be building up in your home life, although it occasionally means you have unconsciously noticed something that might cause a domestic...

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Tribe of ZebulunCarbuncle means burning, flashing like lightning.Lightning was a symbol of the glorious and awful majesty of the power of Jehovah.Zebulun is a continuing city, to enclose, to dwell...

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Descending or going downhill could represent: A feeling of losing progress, moving backward or downward in life, or the idea of things getting worse (as in a “downward spiral”).Things getting...

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A to Z Dream Interpretation