Elephant in a dream: meaning in Ibn Sirin, al-Nabulsi and Ibn Shahin

95 passages from 4 sources, quoted as written, every one linked to its page.

Abd al-Ghani al-Nabulsi, Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam

In a dream it is a non-Arab king, awe-inspiring, dull of heart, a bearer of heavy loads, knowledgeable in war and combat.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 267

So whoever rides an elephant in a dream, or owns it, or has control over it, he will attach himself to a sultan, attain a lofty rank, and live a long life in honour and elevation.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 267

And whoever is mauled by something of that sort, a calamity from one possessing authority will befall him; and if he is sick, he will die.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 267

And whoever rides an elephant by day, he will divorce his wife thrice; and perhaps he will act treacherously and deceitfully, and his deceit and treachery will rebound upon him.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 267

For His saying, exalted be He: "Have you not seen how your Lord dealt with the companions of the elephant?" — to the end of the surah. And the elephant in a dream is an accursed man.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 267

And whoever rides an elephant at night with its trappings, and it obeys him and submits to him, then he will rise over a mighty, miserly king and overcome him, if he is fit for rulership.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 267

Ibn Shahin al-Zahiri, al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat

As for the elephant, it is interpreted in several ways. Ibn Sirin said: Whoever sees that he is riding an elephant at night, then he will marry a woman; and if he rides it by day, then it is the opposite of that, or he will sell his slave girl.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, pp. 207–208

And whoever sees that he carried an elephant, then it is interpreted as glory.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, pp. 207–208

And whoever sees that he killed an elephant, then it is interpreted as the killing of a king at his hands or through his agency, or the breaking of a siege.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, pp. 207–208

And whoever sees that he is riding an elephant with two heads, then it indicates his departure from the service of the ruler of that place to the service of another ruler.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, pp. 207–208

Al-Kirmani said: Whoever sees that he is riding a saddled elephant and it is obedient to him, then it indicates that he will follow a foreign (Persian) king, or that he will subdue a foreign king. Seeing the elephant's hide, flesh, bone, and hair is interpreted as obtaining wealth, benefit, and bounty from a ruler.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, pp. 207–208

And whoever sees that he is riding an elephant in war, then it indicates the subduing of a mighty enemy; and it is said he will subdue the enemy. This statement is evidenced by the story of the Companions of the Elephant.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, pp. 207–208

attributed to Ibn Sirin, Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam

(The elephant) there is disagreement about it: some said it is a huge king, and some said it is an accursed man, because it is one of the transformed creatures.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 360–367

or usury, or destruction, or hardship, then it departs from them with the departure of the elephant from them.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 368–374

(It is related) that a man came to Ibn Sirin and said: I saw as though I were upon an elephant. Ibn Sirin said: The elephant is not among the mounts of the Muslims; I fear that you are upon something other than Islam.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 360–367

And it is said that it is a famous, huge thing in which there is no benefit, for its flesh is not eaten nor is it milked.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 360–367

Some of them said: Whoever sees an elephant and does not ride it will suffer a deficiency in himself and a loss in his wealth.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 360–367

But if he rides it, he will attain a huge, miserly kingship and will overcome it, if he is fit for rule. And if he is not fit, he will meet with wars and will not be granted victory, because its rider is always in a plot; for that reason he is not given victory, as He, the Exalted, says: "Have you not seen how your Lord dealt with the companions of the elephant?" And perhaps he will be killed in it.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 360–367

Artemidorus of Daldis, Oneirocritica (1644 English translation)

the Elephant seen in a dreame, is feare and danger.

Oneirocritica (1644 English translation), The Second Booke of Artimedorus His Exposition of Dreames.

I have often observed and knowne, that the Elephant affrighting one, signified sicknesse:

Oneirocritica (1644 English translation), The Second Booke of Artimedorus His Exposition of Dreames.

and catching and killing one, signifyed death.

Oneirocritica (1644 English translation), The Second Booke of Artimedorus His Exposition of Dreames.

I knew in Italy a rich and healthful woman, which dreamt that she was mounted upon an Elephant, and shortly after dyed.

Oneirocritica (1644 English translation), The Second Booke of Artimedorus His Exposition of Dreames.

Kinds and conditions of Elephant

elephant meat

Ibn Shahin al-Zahiri, al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat

And elephant meat is abundant wealth from a great and mighty king.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 244

riding an elephant

attributed to Ibn Sirin, Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam

Like their statement concerning one who rides an elephant: that he will attain a huge matter of little benefit. And if he sees that in the light of day, he will divorce his wife, or some harm will befall him on her account.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 19–23

Elephant driver (fayyal)

Abd al-Ghani al-Nabulsi, Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam

In a dream he indicates the tutor who educates the sons of kings, like the halter-holder, or the interpreter, or the stirrup-holder for horses, or the one who plays with the lance.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 267

70 more passages on this symbol are in the database and used by the interpreter.