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

34 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: whoever sees that he has mounted a riding animal, then he is riding upon a passion that prevails over him.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 126

Riding of all riding animals is honor and authority.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 126

If he sees that he has mounted a horse but does not ride it well, he is riding a passion.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 126

But if he rides well and controls it, then he will be safe.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 126

If he sees that he has mounted the horse with all its gear, and he had a house and servants and attendants befitting the house, then that is honor from his forefathers and a dominion which he will reach and attain.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 126

If he sees that he has mounted upon a man's neck by force, then he will die, and the one ridden will carry his funeral bier against his will.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 126

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

Whoever sees as though he is riding a beast, then he rides a passion that overcomes him. And it is said that riding beasts of all kinds is the attainment of might and of one's desire.

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

But if he does not ride it well, then it indicates following one's passion.

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

And if he rides it and rides well and controls the beast, he is safe from the trial of passion and attains his wish.

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

And if he sees as though he is riding upon a man's neck, then he will die, and the one ridden will carry his funeral bier.

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

And it is said that riding upon a man's neck indicates a difficult matter; and if he throws him off his neck, then that matter which he sought will not be completed.

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

Kinds and conditions of Riding

riding gear / mount's trappings

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

As for the mount's trappings, they signify the wealth of a noble man and leadership, and the abundance of its ornaments signifies the elevation of leadership and renown.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 683–687

Its ornaments being of gold does no harm, and it indicates a beautiful slave girl.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 683–687

caravan (riding party)

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

(And whoever sees) that he is in a caravan, then it indicates the obtaining of mercy, because of the saying of the Prophet (peace be upon him): "The congregation is a mercy."

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 31

(And whoever sees) that he halted with the caravan at a stopping place, then it is the obtaining of rest.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 31

horse riding

Artemidorus of Daldis, Oneirocritica (1644 English translation)

to ride a horse nimbly is good for all, for thy horse signifyes a woman, or a friend, the ship, the Master and guide to governe, and the good friend. So then, as a man findes his horse well, so shall he do all this.

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

To ride a horse through the town, is good for him which undertakes to play a prize, and to a sick man: for the one shall gaine the prize, and the other shall be •• aled: but to ride out of town is quite contrary:

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

riding a tall horse wearing a robe of honor

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

An anecdote: It is related that a man came to Shaykh Muhammad al-Qar'uni and said to him: It was as though I saw the amir so-and-so riding upon a tall horse, and he was wearing a robe of honor, with the people around him. He said: If your dream is true, this man will assume an office before long. So he assumed the command of the Hajj caravan.

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

An anecdote: One of the righteous men saw al-Maqarr al-Kamali wearing a noble robe of honor, and at that time he was without his office. Then its author saw that he himself was wearing a robe of honor, and al-Maqarr al-Kamali entered from the street of the city. The one who saw the dream informed him of it, and after a short while the chief judge of Damascus the Protected died, and the author of this work assumed the noble viceroyalty of the sultanate at al-Karak the Protected.

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

riding the sea for battle

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

A rare account: Anas ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to visit Umm Haram, who was married to 'Ubadah ibn al-Samit. He came in to her one day and she fed him and began to pick lice from his head, and the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) fell asleep. Then he awoke laughing. She said: I said, "What makes you laugh, O Messenger of Allah?" He said: "People of my nation were shown to me raiding in the way of Allah, riding upon the midst of this sea, kings upon thrones" — or he said, "like kings upon thrones." She said: I said, "O Messenger of Allah, pray to Allah to make me one of them." So he prayed for her. Then he laid down his head and slept, then awoke laughing, and I said, "What makes you laugh, O Messenger of Allah?" And he said as he had said the first time. She said: I said, "O Messenger of Allah, pray to Allah to make me one of them." He said: "You are among the first ones." So she rode the sea in the time of Mu'awiyah, and she was thrown from her mount when she came out of the sea and perished, may Allah be pleased with her.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 259

riding a donkey

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

A rare account: It is related that a man came to Ibn Sirin and said: I saw as though I were upon a donkey, and it kept throwing me into water and mud; then I saw a slave-girl whose name was 'Aqibah, and I mounted her behind me. He said: You will be followed by offspring (i.e., have descendants).

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, pp. 261–262

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

riding a beast backwards

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

Whoever rides a beast backwards, then he is undertaking a matter in a reprehensible way, not by its proper course — if he did so deliberately. And if he did not do it deliberately, then it is likewise, but without his knowing it.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 774–777

Horse-tamer (trainer of riding beasts)

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

In a dream, he is the one who holds authority over the matter.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 140

horsemen's field (riding arena)

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

In a dream it indicates energy and victory over enemies, and skill-training or a craft for the boys among those who see themselves in it.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 320

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