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

46 passages from 5 sources, quoted as written, every one linked to its page.

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

Whoever sees that he has climbed a ladder made of clay, then he will attain good, righteousness, and lawful provision.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 119

It is praiseworthy so long as there is nothing in it that would be objectionable in like manner in waking life, and descending is its opposite — unless he has set up a ladder for some benefit, for that is safety. And the presence of a ladder may indicate the attainment of what is desired, and its absence when there is need of it indicates the opposite, because of His saying, exalted be He: "Or have they a ladder by which they listen?" — the verse.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 120

And whoever sees that he has climbed a ladder made of baked brick and gypsum, then it indicates the corruption of his religion; and if the ladder is of stone, then it indicates hardness of heart; and if it is of wood, then it indicates weakness of religion.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 119

And whoever sees that he is climbing a ladder step by step, then he will move up to leadership gradually; and it may indicate being appointed to the office of preaching for one who is worthy of it. And Allah knows best.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 120

Al-Kirmani said: whoever sees that he has climbed a long ladder—if he is fit for leadership, then he will attain a high rank; and if he is not, then it is the obtaining of good from a man of authority.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 119

And whoever sees that he descended from any of that, its interpretation is the opposite of what has been mentioned.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 119

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

The wooden ladder is a man of high standing who is a hypocrite, and climbing it is the establishing of clear proof, on account of the saying of the Exalted: "or a ladder into the heaven, so that you might bring them a sign."

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 507–511

And it is said that climbing it is seeking the help of a people among whom there is hypocrisy; and it is said it is an indication of travel.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 507–511

And if he climbs it in order to listen to speech from a person, then he will attain authority, on account of the saying of the Exalted: "Or do they have a ladder by which they listen? Then let their listener bring a clear authority."

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 507–511

And a man said to Ibn Sirin: I saw as though I were atop a ladder. He said: You are a man who eavesdrops on people.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 507–511

And the ladder laid upon the ground is illness, and its being set upright is health.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 507–511

Artemidorus of Daldis, Oneirocritica (1644 English translation)

THe Ladder is a signe of travelling

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

Kinds and conditions of Ladder

ladder (stairway of ascent)

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

Of wood: seeing it in a dream is misfortune and toil, and a cause of travel.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 163

And perhaps the ladder indicates safety in affairs.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 163

coming down a ladder

Artemidorus of Daldis, Oneirocritica (1644 English translation)

When one dreameth that he comes down a ladder,

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

staircases and ladders

Freud and Jung, a separate view

Staircases, ladders, and flights of stairs, or climbing on these, either upwards or downwards, are symbolic representations of the sexual act.

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

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