Universal Landscape: Transitions that seem risky or unsupported.
Dreaming Lens: Was the ladder in use? Was it in place for use or was it in storage? What was the integrity of the ladder’s structure? Was it capable of bearing weight? What was the ladder made of? What was the ladder’s height? Were you on the ladder? Were you comfortable or frightened?
Personal Focus: A ladder is an effective, but unstable, method of getting to a higher vantage point. Anything that helps a person move from one level to another is symbolically connected with transitioning from one realm of operating to another. However, a ladder is a tool used in the construction or fixing of things. So in this way, the symbolic meaning connects to the ability to achieve some sort of goal.
The presence of a ladder in a dream suggests that there is a transition afoot that may also connect to achieving some goal or fixing some area of your life that requires attention. If the dream merits the use of a ladder, but it is either ignored or inaccessible in some way, you may be missing the very thing needed for success with some goal in life. A broken ladder may be a warning that you are not taking the necessary step-by-step process to achieve your goals. This may also be expressing a feeling that some rudimentary items you need are not available to you. The instability of a ladder requires a slow and centered approach to your climb, signaling a need to take each step in your life with care, grace, and ease.
The size and shape of the ladder can offer subtle layers to your interpretation. A ladder that is too short is an indication that you have the right concept, but not quite enough of what is needed to achieve a goal in your life. Something on top of the ladder may signify a yearning for a higher state of consciousness or accomplishment. Looking down from the top of the ladder might represent acknowledging what it took to achieve what has recently occurred.
[1]A wooden ladder in a dream means distress and toiling one may endure during ajourney. Aladder in a dream also represents peace and safety. Climbing a ladder in a dream means receiving a warning or an admonition to do good and eschew evil for someone who does not oblige.
If one’s ladder turns into concrete stairs in a dream, it means assiduity and veiling or protecting of one’s privacy.
A ladder laid on the floor in a dream means authority, while a raised ladder means recovering from an illness.
A ladder also represents travels, comfort to a person who is struck by sorrows, or it could represent a great person. Climbing a new ladder in a dream means reaching new spiritual attainments, or it could represent his business success. Even climbing an old ladder in a dream means success in one’s bushiness, exaltation and profits. Falling from a ladder in a dream means adversities, spiritual fall and temptation. Climbingdown a ladder in a dream means business losses.
If the ladder breaks in the middle of one’s assent or descent in the dream, it means losing to one’s competition. Ifone fixes a ladder to descend upon something he knows in a dream, it means safety from danger, arrogance, fears, or escape from an accident that might cost him his life. Climbing a ladder in a dream also means seeking the help of people who are filled with hypocrisy.
If one climbs a ladder to hear something in a dream, it means that he will achieve success and attain power.
A ladder in a dream also means authority, eavesdropping, or spying for evil people.
[2]Although a ladder dream follows the general rule that up is good and down is not, its meaning is greatly modified by the other elements, details, and action.
For instance if, in your dream, you were climbing, a very high ladder and reached the top, the predicted achievement will be greater than if the ladder was of medium height or low.
If a rung of the ladder broke under you, you may not attain your greatest ambition but you will achieve financial security.
The disappointment signified in a dream of descending a ladder is mitigated if you used the ladder to escape from danger.
If a laddeF fell on you, it portends trouble ahead due to quarrels or malicious gossip; if you fell from it, you are being warned that your grasp is greater than your reach.
To walk under a ladder in your dream is, contrary to the popular superstition, a sign of good luck.
If you saw a ladder break or fall, you can expect to have to contend with some unanticipated obstacles in your path.
To dream of carrying a ladder indicates that you will have to come to the rescue of a relative or close friend.
A dream featuring the use of a rope ladder signifies success in some activity or business venture of an unusual type.
To dream of feeling dizzy on a ladder is a reminder that arrogance or overconfidence frequently goes before a fall.
A dream of entering a house or other structure by way of a ladder indicates misdirected efforts; reassess your plans.
[3]Symbol: The ladder is a symbol of the way to heaven: climbing a ladder means you are humble—falling off, you are arrogant.
Vision: Climbing a ladder: you are desperate for a promotion. Climbing high up on a ladder: you are missing opportunities at work. Falling off a ladder: you are too ambitious, which makes you unpopular and will only harm you. Someone else is falling off a ladder you have been deserted by a person you thought would always be there for you. Looking at a ladder: you’ve been given an opportunity—don’t miss it. Looking at a broken ladder: let go of whatever you have planned—pursuing it further would only harm you.
Depth Psychology: The ladder means you doubt that you will be successful. Are you willing to “take one step at a rime” on the ladder of success? Are you avoiding climbing the ladder in order to escape danger? Have you asked too much of yourself? See Stairs. Ladybug
Vision: Seeing one or more ladybugs means the same thing in a dream as it supposedly does in real life: they will bring you good luck.
[4]1- The ladder in dreams suggests how secure we feel in moving from one situation to another. We may need to make a considerable cfibrl to reach a goal or take an opportunity. Often this dream occurs during career changes, and so has obvious connotations.
If the rungs are broken we can expect difficulty.
If someone else is carrying the ladder it could suggest that another person, perhaps a manager or colleague, has a part to play in our progression.
2- The ladder denotes our ability to break through to a new level of awareness, moving from the physical to the spiritual, but also being able to move downwards again. It also suggests communication between the physical and spiritual realms as a stage of transition. Occasionally it may also represent death, though this may be the death of the old self, rather than a physical death.
3- In a dream, the rungs of the ladder arc often either seven or twelve in number, these being the stages of growth towards spirituality.
[5](See Also: Ascent)
(1) (Climbing) a ladder may symbolize progress: improving your status; achieving or moving towards a goal.
(2) Climbing a ladder to heaven is a recurring mythological motif. It may be seen as a symbol of achieving personal wholeness (Jung’s ‘Self).
(3) Sometimes the ladder - like Jacob’s in the Book of Genesis - is used by angels descending and ascending: a symbol of communication between the spiritual and physical aspects of the self, or between the true self and the ego.
(4) Descending a ladder to escape from an upper storey of a burning house might symbolize (a need to) escape from your emotional self.
(5) Descending a ladder into a deep pit or well might symbolize a resolve - or need - to explore your unconscious depths. Climbing a ladder to get out of the pit or well might symbolize the need to escape from something that threatens to engulf you - a mother-attachment, perhaps, or other unconscious contents.
[6]To dream of a ladder being raised for you to ascend to some height, your energetic and nervy qualifications will raise you into prominence in business affairs.
To ascend a ladder, means prosperity and unstinted happiness.
To fall from one, denotes despondency and unsuccessful transactions to the tradesman, and blasted crops to the farmer.
To see a broken ladder, betokens failure in every instance.
To descend a ladder, is disappointment in business, and unrequited desires.
To escape from captivity, or confinement, by means of a ladder, you will be successful, though many perilous paths may intervene.
To grow dizzy as you ascend a ladder, denotes that you will not wear new honors serenely. You are likely to become haughty and domineering in your newly acquired position.
See Also: Hill, Ascend, or Fall.
[7]Ascension or dissension on a ladder may be an unconscious reflection of your movement toward a goal. Ascending is generally a more positive symbol than descending.
The ladder is suggestive of hard work and exertion of energy.
The ladder may also be symbolic of the “way to heaven”. You can decide whether the heaven is here on earth or in the forever after! :) Missing rungs may symbolize missing elements or hardships and handicaps that you could be (or are) encountering on your ascent to better and bigger things.
See Also: Stairs, Climbing A means to spiritually or physically move up.
[8]Dreaming of a ladder symbolizes you have the ability to climb above any problems in your life. Take note of the length of the ladder to gauge how long the current problems will last.
If you dream you are falling from a ladder you will be unsuccessful in your present endeavors.
If someone raises and holds a ladder for you this denotes that you will climb to great heights in your chosen profession.
A broken ladder denotes failure in all your undertakings and you see yourself escape down a ladder means you will win out only after some careful planning.
[9](See Also: Ascent, Climbing, Mountain, Stairs)
Mystically, the ascent to a higher spiritual plane. In ancient Egypt, the ladders of Set had angels on each side that helped the Pharaohs reach heaven.
Communing with spiritual powers (note Jacob’s ladder in the Old Testament).
The quest for, or achievement of, enlightenment in Asia and China.
Going downward on: Deep introspection and internalization.
Getting dizzy on the ascent upward represents intoxicating ambitions that may lead to a hard fall.
[10]Overly organized development.
A symbol of the connection between the unconscious (below) and the conscious (above). May point to Jacob’s Ladder, leading into heaven. Are you confronted with new tasks? Are you climbing up or coming down? How many rungs does the ladder have? See the symbolic meaning of numbers. Some people get dizzy when they climb too high. According to Freud, the rhythm of the motion of climbing up and coming down is symbolic of intercourse.
See Also: Stairs, Career, Step.
[11]Dreams of a ladder reflect your ambition to climb and advance to higher ground in your life, to reach, strive, and climb upward on the ladder of success. Alternatively, if you are climbing downward, then this symbolizes that you are coming down to earth from a loftier place, exploring the depth of your being, or feeling discouraged or demoted.
If the ladder is being used to rescue a person or animal, then this represents heroism and that you are rising above your egoic needs for a greater good.
[12]Psychological / emotional perspective: The ladder denotes our ability to break through to a new level of awareness, moving from the physical to the spiritual, but also being able to move downwards again. It also suggests communication between the physical and spiritual realms as a stage of transition. Occasionally it may also represent death, though this is more the death of the old self, or way of being, rather than a physical death.
[13]Your feelings—whether anxious or secure—about reaching situations or opportunities in life which are new or not easily attained; attainment through effort and daring; the heightening of insecurity or feelings in sex—getting up, getting it up. Rungs, the separate stages or efforts necessary to ‘climb*. Idioms: top of the ladder.
See Also: stairs under house, buildings.
[14]The tool for ascending into the Upper World, the ladder is a symbol of the spiritual bridge between heaven and earth Each rung represents acts of goodness or spintual truths that one must master in order to ascend into the light.
The ladder may also represent the ladder to success and your financial goals.
[15]The ladder is a symbol of the step-by-step method of achieving success.
To dream that you ascend the ladder denotes some fulfillment of an ambition, depending upon the number of rungs that have been climbed. Falling or slipping from the ladder, reverses.
A broken ladder threatens failure.
See Also: Falling.
[16]Dreaming of a ladder can mean the dreamer will achieve new understanding of herself and her surroundings. It also suggests growth in social stature.
To see a broken ladder in your dream indicates consistent failures in your undertakings. You may feel stuck in pursuit of your goals.
[17]You aspire to greater things; climbing a ladder shows you will achieve them.
If you climb a ladder to enter a house through a window, you would not be averse to doing something illegal to get ahead! If you fall from a ladder, you may run afoul of the law.
[18]To dream of having difficulty in adjusting a ladder against a house indicates marital upsets.
If in a dream you walk under a ladder, you will be likely to have a slight accident.
Seeing a ladder in use by a fireman is an omen of business success.
[19]Climbing up a Ladder is a good sign, but the reverse is an indication of troubles ahead of you.
The number of rungs should be noted, for this increases the power of the omen.
To feel dizzy when on a Ladder is always a bad sign.
[20]The ladder Is a sign of traveling; the steps are advancement: but some say they are danger.
To dream that you ascend a ladder, signifies honor; but to dream that you descend a ladder betokeneth damage.
[21]In a dream, the rungs of the ladder are often either seven or 12 in number, these being traditionally the stages of growth towards spirituality. Jacob’s dream of a ladder is one such potent image.
[22]1. Connection between one level of consciousness and another.
2. Ambition.
3. Intercourse.
4. Happiness, success (climbing).
[23]A ladder may symbolize moving to a higher spiritual area in life, Gen. 28:12.
A ladder may also symbolize promotion on the job
[24]Step by step process of climbing to higher awareness. Way to reach new heights.
If climbing down, you are going the wrong way.
[25]A dream of advancement; to ascend denotes elevation; to descend augurs a downfall (Artemidorus).
[26]To dream of climbing a ladder predicts success in any new enterprise.
[27]See Also: House, accessories metaphors.
[28]See “staircase”
[29]lucky numbers: 01-17-25-27-28-50
breaking while climbing: backtrack and change course.
carrying a, with you: wil rescue some fear within you that haunts you.
climbing a: your humility wil bring unusual happiness and prosperity.
circular: your one-dimensional goal is causing you to miss opportunities.
house, a: take the nearest opportunity to rise from humble beginnings.
others: wish to achieve an authoritative position over faithful friends.
rope, a: profits interwoven with so many conditions that the bottom line is zero.
stepladder: your unexpected good fortune is good for six steps.
descending a: are going the wrong way in dealing with disappointments in business.
circular: worry wil be smoothed away, but honors wil not bring serenity.
dizzy when on a, being: an important and beneficial event wil soon come.
falling from a: your arrogance wil cause your failure.
another: your most stable friend wil fail you.
fortress, of a: an advantageous lawsuit wil guard your perilous path against strong foes.
jumping from a: wil obtain a good position and be jilted by your sweetheart.
raising a, up to a window: wil encounter a tender person on your climb to prosperity.
tall, a: your preposterousness wil raise you to prominence by a narrow margin.
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