Dreaming of an elevator in Islam: meaning
The classical dream books knew no elevators, but they did know ascending and descending: stairs, ladders and mountains. Ascending is classically read as elevation in status or faith, descending as the opposite. Contemporary interpreters read an elevator along those lines.
Within this tradition
In the works attributed to Ibn Sirin, a staircase or ladder often stands for the means by which someone rises: knowledge, authority, wealth or nearness to God. Climbing up is read as elevation, especially if the dreamer arrives safely at the top. Going down can be read as a decline in position, but also as humility, depending on the rest of the dream. Contemporary interpreters apply that to the elevator, which rises or falls in one movement.
The Quran speaks of degrees, darajat: God raises in rank those who believe and have knowledge. An elevator going up can be read in that light as a rise connected with knowledge or faith. Whoever goes up in a dream and then remembers God can read it favourably.
An elevator falling is read cautiously, as a loss of position or a trial. But classical interpreters stress that falling and rising again can also mean repentance and recovery. Being stuck in an elevator can be read as an affair that stalls, and an encouragement to patience and prayer.
As always in tabir, the dreamer counts. Someone who works in a tall building and takes the elevator daily simply dreams of it more often.
Common variations
An elevator going up
Elevation in status or faith, like the degrees in the Quran.
An elevator falling
Read cautiously: loss of position or a trial. A possibility, not a certainty.
Stuck in an elevator
An affair that stalls: an encouragement to patience and prayer.
Arriving safely at the top
Classically favourable: a goal you reach.
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Write your dream in the appFrequently asked questions
Does classical dream interpretation know the elevator?
No, but it knows stairs, ladders and mountains. Contemporary interpreters apply those readings to the elevator.
What are darajat?
Degrees or ranks: the Quran says God raises in rank those who believe and have knowledge.
What do you do after a bad dream according to Islam?
Seek refuge in God, spit lightly three times to the left, turn over and do not tell the dream around. According to tradition it then cannot harm you.