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

126 passages from 6 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 travel; and if it is upon the back (lying supine), then it is travel in comfort.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, pp. 224–225

Flying for one who is not a traveller is idleness.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, pp. 224–225

Whoever flies from one rooftop to another rooftop, then he moves from a high-ranking man to a high-ranking man; and whichever of the two rooftops was higher, that one is loftier in rank and greater in prestige.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, pp. 224–225

It is said the rooftop is a woman, so whoever sees that, then he moves from one woman to another woman.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, pp. 224–225

And the woman, if she sees that she flew from her house to the house of a man she knows, then she will marry that man.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, pp. 224–225

Whoever flies from a house he knows to a house he does not know, far from the wall, then he will die, for it is the house of the Hereafter.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, pp. 224–225

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

As for flying and coming to rest, they are interpreted in several ways. Daniel said: Whoever sees that he is flying like a bird from one place to another, this indicates travel and the elevation of his rank in proportion to his height above the ground in the flight.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 191

And whoever sees that he flew up to the sky, then some harm will befall him soon; and if he does not come down from his flight, then it indicates his departure from this world.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 191

Ibn Sirin said: Whoever sees that he flies without feathers, then he will change from one state to another.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 191

And whoever sees that he flies from one rooftop to another rooftop, then he will divorce his wife and marry another, or he will buy a slave girl.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 191

Al-Kirmani said: Whoever sees that he flew up to the expanse of the sky, then it indicates the Hajj.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 191

And whoever sees that he flew from his house to an unknown house, then it indicates the nearness of his death, so let him repent to Allah.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 191

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

All flying is praiseworthy in interpretation.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 392–399

As for flying: it has been related that a man came to Ibn Sirin and said, "I saw as though I were flying between the sky and the earth." He said, "You indulge much in wishful thinking."

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 737–741

As for flying straight up toward the sky, penetrating into it, that is death, or destruction, or harm.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 392–399

Whoever sees as though he circled above a mountain, then he will attain an authority in which kings will submit to him.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 737–741

It is said: whoever sees as though he is flying, if he is fit for rulership he will attain it; and if he alights upon something, he will gain possession of it; but if he is not suited for authority, it indicates an illness that will befall him from which he will be at the point of death, or an error of his that occurs in his religion.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 737–741

And if he flew from one rooftop to another, then he will exchange his wife for another woman.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 737–741

Artemidorus of Daldis, Oneirocritica (1644 English translation)

TO dreame to flye a little height from the Earth, being upright is good, forasmuch as one is lifted higher then those that are about him, so much greater and more happy shall he be

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

It were better for him not to be in his Country, for it signifyeth wandring or not resting, or returning to his Country

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

to flye with wings, is good generally for all: to servants, it is liberty: to the poore, riches: to the rich, office and dignity

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

to flye very high from the Earth and without wings, is feare and danger

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

as also to flye over the houses and through the stréets, and fore-knowne wayes, it is trouble and sedition

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

to flye into heaven, is for servants to enter into rich houses, and especially the Court: to those which would be secret it is ill, for all the world sées the heavens

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

Kinds and conditions of Flying

flying in a dream

Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, Fath al-Bari, commentary on Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Dream Interpretation

Whoever sees that he is flying: if it is toward the direction of the sky without veering, there is no harm to him.

Fath al-Bari, commentary on Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Dream Interpretation, pp. 7407–7408

But if he disappears into the sky and does not return, he dies.

Fath al-Bari, commentary on Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Dream Interpretation, pp. 7407–7408

kite (flying toy)

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

It indicates in a dream loftiness, elevation, and high standing.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 228

And perhaps it indicates being driven away from one's aim.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 228

birds (flying)

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

And whoever sees a bird flying above his head will attain governorship and leadership, because of His saying, exalted be He: "And the birds gathered together, each one returning [to Him]."

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 409–413

And if he sees birds flying in his dwelling, then they are the angels.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 409–413

flying with wings

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

Then that is leadership which he will attain, and good.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 771–773

Unless he sees that he is flying with those wings of his, for then he will travel a journey in the service of a ruler, in proportion to the amount of land he traversed.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 771–773

flying machine

Freud and Jung, a separate view

As a very recent symbol of the male genital may be mentioned the flying machine, utilization of which is justified by its relation to flying as well as occasionally by its form.

Sigmund Freud, The Interpretation of Dreams / On Dreams / Dream Psychology, Dream Psychology, ch. V Sex in Dreams

flying from tree to tree

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

A rare account: It is related that Sufyan al-Thawri, may Allah be pleased with him, was seen in a dream flying from tree to tree, and the one who saw him said: "What has Allah done with you?" So he recited: (I looked upon my Lord with my own eyes, and He said to me: "Blessed be you, My pleasure is with you, O son of Sa'id) (Indeed you used to stand [in prayer] when the night grew still, with the tear of a longing one and the heart of a lover) (So here you are: choose whichever palace you wish, and visit Me, for My nearness to you is not far off)"

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, pp. 262–263

bird flying out of one's bosom

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

A rare anecdote: It is related that a man came to an interpreter and said: I saw a bird fly out of my bosom, then I came to my mother and she took me into her belly. The interpreter said to him: If your dream is true, you will die and be buried, because the bird's flying out of your bosom is the departure of your soul from your body; and as for your entering your mother's belly, she is the earth, according to His saying, exalted be He: "From it We created you, and into it We shall return you."

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, pp. 269–270

flying sideways

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

And whoever flies sideways in the sky, it indicates that he will undertake a journey or attain honour.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 737–741

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