25 Meanings When You Dream About Elevators

Whether you call them elevators or lifts, chances are you’ve spent a fair amount of time in these handy contraptions. They’ve become a feature of modern life, so much so that there are tons of pop culture references to them. There’s the elevator pitch – the 1-minute chance to sell your multi-million dollar idea. Then there are hundreds of “trapped in an elevator” stories in the realms of comedy, drama, and horror.

But what if you dream about an elevator?

What can this machine represent in your life? These are the important questions we’re going to explore. So, I’ve decided to cover 25 meanings when you dream about elevators to help you interpret your dream and find out what your unconscious mind is telling you.

So let’s get started!

All About Elevators

An elevator is also called a lift in the UK and other English-speaking countries. This simple machine is like a small room or a compartment that is used to move people and things up and down between the floors of a building.

You’ll probably be surprised to learn that the first elevators were built by the ancient Romans more than 2000 years ago! They were generally used to move heavy loads during building construction. Later, elevators designed to move people were found in royal palaces across Europe and were called “flying chairs.” All of these elevators were, of course, not mechanized. They were generally powered by people pulling on ropes or with the help of pulleys or even screw drives.

Here’s another bit of interesting elevator trivia…

There’s an urban legend that the elevator shaft was invented before the elevator. Well, there is a bit of truth to that story. The Cooper’s Union Foundation Building in New York was designed with an elevator shaft built in. The architect was sure that efficient elevators would be invented soon! And not many years after, they were.

Nowadays, elevators are powered by electricity and are super-strong and reliable. Despite this, many people still feel uneasy entering elevators. They may be claustrophobic or may have elevator anxiety, a worry that the elevator could fail and plunge them to their deaths. After all, this is a common trope that has been exploited by Hollywood for decades.

So elevators can represent scary enclosed spaces or hanging by a thread for some people. But the motion of an elevator is also important. It takes you up and down, and this can be representative of physical or spiritual movement.

So let’s look more closely at the meanings of specific dreams you might have about elevators.

1. Dream of an Elevator Going Up

“Elevator going up!”

If you hear this in your dream, or simply dream about being in an elevator that’s going up, you should be happy. Up is almost always associated with positives. Those could be anything at all that might be set to improve in your life. You might be about to make more money or get that promotion. You could be looking for your luck to improve.

But any way you slice it, an elevator moving upwards in your dreams reflects something getting better in your life. And that’s excellent!

2. Dream of an Elevator Going Down

While up is positive, down is, of course, negative. If you dream of seeing an elevator going down or being in one as it descends, get ready for something to change direction in your life. Your luck might be changing for the worse. Or you could have something very disappointing in store.

Like what, exactly?

That could perhaps be a decline in the health of a loved one or yourself, losing your job, or any number of bad luck scenarios.

If the elevator in your dream is going down, chances are something in your life is getting worse.

3. Dream of an Elevator Going Sideways

Elevators in real life only move up and down, or occasionally on a slight angle. So what does it mean if you dream of an elevator that’s not doing any of these things? What about a weird elevator that, for some reason, only moves sideways?

Well, it’s interesting…

This dream is one that signals a transition. And rather than telling you which way the change might go, it simply represents a change that’s coming or already underway. You might have met someone new who will play an important role in your life. Or you may be moving from one job to another or to a new city. In any case, a change is coming, and it’s up to you to turn it into something positive or negative.

4. Dream of an Elevator Shooting Up Fast

Of all the meanings when you dream about elevators, this dream depends on perspective the most.

If you see an elevator racing upwards at breakneck speed, but you’re not on it, this is a negative scenario. What this represents is the old saying, “you’ve missed the boat.” This shows you that someone else is reaping the rewards that you wanted to have come to you. It could mean that you lost that new job to someone else or that someone you like has a different love interest.

But if you’re on the elevator, things are way different!

Being on an elevator that’s shooting upwards can be exhilarating. It’s also a great sign that things are really, really going your way. Perhaps that extra work you’ve been doing is finally going to pay off big time. You might find yourself lucky in love or in your financial life.

5. Dream of an Elevator Plunging to the Ground

The dream about an elevator plunging to the ground is one of the most terrifying dreams out there, and also one that is very common. But again, this one depends on whether or not you’re on the elevator.

If you’re not on it, but you see an elevator plunging to the ground (like one of those external glass ones), it can be a stressful dream. But this should actually be a relief. You’ve dodged a bullet and avoided some catastrophe.

However, if you are on the elevator and it starts plummeting to the ground, you’re in trouble.

You’ll know by the feeling in your stomach…

Most people wake up just before the elevator crashes in their dream, but it’s the dropping that’s important. This is a sign that something is going wrong in your life in a very major way.

Your luck is really bad, so if you think you might be in trouble, look at the situation again – it’s probably a lot worse than you first thought!

6. Dream of an Elevator Floating or Flying

That last dream was stressful, but this one usually isn’t. If you find yourself in an elevator that is flying around or floating through the air, this is, again a positive thing to experience.

Any time you travel in your dreams in an unorthodox way, this indicates growth and change. Basically, this strange scene represents stepping outside the box even though you see yourself inside of one. Flying or floating can be a very good feeling and one that can also tell you that your mind has a lot of pent-up stress that you need to release somehow.

7. Dream of an Elevator Going to a Secret Floor

When you get into an elevator, you have to find the button for your floor number and push it. But what happens if the buttons only go up to, say 20, but the elevator brings you to the 21st floor?

Is the number significant?

On the one hand, this secret floor represents a number that should have a special meaning to you. It can also be a number that will bring you good luck. However, this dream image can also suggest something else. It can show you that something is hidden, that there is something you’re not taking into account, or that you’re missing. This might be a good warning to go over your financial numbers again or to have a serious review of your latest project.

8. Dream of an Elevator With Only Even Numbered Buttons

In real life, some elevators are missing #13 because it’s considered bad luck. They skip from 12 to 14. But what if you dream of being in a lift and all of the number buttons are even? There are no odd-numbered floors! Should you be concerned?

Relax…

This dream is a good sign, even though it’s a little odd!

Even numbers generally represent peace, balance, and completeness. If you see only even numbers in your dream, it probably means that things are going well and staying on an even keel.

9. Dream of an Elevator With Only Odd Numbered Buttons

So if you dream about an elevator with only odd numbers, that’s bad, right?

Well, not necessarily. Odd numbers can be a sign of imbalance or an indication that something just isn’t right in your life. But at the same time, all prime numbers except two are odd. These numbers are the most interesting, natural numbers that exist, and therefore are loaded with power.

While not all odd numbers are prime, this can still be a powerful and inspiring dream to have. This one’s very personal. Only you will know if this dream is some kind of warning or some kind of inspiration.

10. Dream of an Elevator With No Buttons

We’ve looked at dreams with only even, only odd, and even secret number floors. But what if you get on an elevator and there are no buttons at all? You can’t press a button to go to your floor. No, you can’t open the doors. You can’t even call for help!

Not surprisingly…

This dream is an indication of being powerless in your life. And even more so, it suggests that you are at the mercy of others in very important situations. This should be a wake-up call for you to take steps to reclaim your personal power.

11. Dream of an Elevator Going Past Your Floor

If you dream that you’ve pressed the button for your floor, but the elevator doesn’t stop there, it can feel frustrating.

But should you be concerned?

The short answer is yes. An elevator is a simple machine. You press a floor number, and it takes you there. If the lift goes past your stop, this can indicate that you are much less in control of some parts of your life than you had thought.

Even a machine doesn’t respect your authority!

12. Dream of an Elevator That Never Stops

What does it mean if you dream of being on an elevator and it just never stops? It keeps going up or down or both without ever coming to rest or the doors opening up.

One word – stress.

This dream is your unconscious mind holding up a flag and saying, “Can’t you see you’re doing too much!?”

Sometimes we think we can handle more than we can. We take on more projects, and more responsibilities, and feel like we’re still coping. But taking on too much stresses us out, even if we try to pretend otherwise. This dream is telling you to slow down, let off some pressure, and take care of yourself before it’s too late!

13. Dream of Not Being Able to Get Off an Elevator

This dream might sound the same as the previous one, but it’s actually very different. You might dream of being on an elevator that stops, and the doors open up. People get on and off, but for some reason, you can’t get off, no matter how hard you try. It might feel like you’re frozen or that your feet are glued to the floor.

Guess what!

What this is telling you is that you are putting off an important decision. Some choices are so hard, but if you don’t make any choice at all, this can be an even worse option. So, think about the decision you’ve been avoiding and tackle it head-on.

14. Dream of an Elevator Getting Stuck

Getting stuck in an elevator is a lot of people’s worst nightmare. That’s why this image is used so often in scary movies or to provoke drama.

In your dreams, you could just be re-imagining one of these films you recently saw. But if that’s not the answer, then this dream has another meaning.

And it’s actually one that’s not so scary…

Like the previous dream, this one is a signal. This is your mind telling you that you actually have to deal with something that’s really hard to face. This could be a really unpleasant situation you’ve been avoiding, or it could be an old trauma.

But whatever it is, it’s holding you back.

15. Dream of an Elevator Stopping Between Floors

When the elevator in your dreams gets lodged between floors, it can be a pretty sticky situation! While you could probably still crawl out the bottom or clamber out the top, it’s not an ideal situation. And what if the elevator moved while you did? Disaster!

This dream is all about indecision. Like being unable to get off the elevator, getting stuck between floors is representative of being really hung up on something. You have to take that important decision before it’s made for you, with disastrous results.

16. Dream of Getting Crushed by the Elevator Walls

Of all meanings when you dream about elevators, this one is probably the most obvious.

How come?

This is a nightmare situation for so many people. If you’re claustrophobic, this is exactly what it feels like when you get in a tight, enclosed space. It feels like the walls are pushing in on you and like they’ll crush you at any second.

This dream can be sickening and terrifying. So, if you do dream of the walls closing in when you’re in an elevator, or anywhere, it’s your unconscious mind telling you there’s too much pressure in your life.

You need to take a step back so that you can breathe and re-assess your situation.

17. Dream of Getting Pinched by Elevator Doors

Those elevator doors are designed to open again if a stray hand or foot gets stuck between them. But if you get caught up or pinched in the elevator doors in your dream, something is going wrong.

Dreaming of machines malfunctioning, of any kind, is obviously a modern nightmare. But it can represent a concern that’s as old as time. This dream represents your feelings of not being in control – of a particular situation or perhaps even your whole life.

It is a warning that you have to work on yourself and increase your personal power.

18. Dream About Being In a Full Elevator

If nothing really happens in your dream, but you do notice that you’re in a packed elevator, this can be a sign that you’re overwhelmed socially.

Elevators create awkward social spaces, so dreaming of an elevator being full of people can show that you’re anxious about an upcoming social engagement.

19. Dream About Being Alone In an Elevator

If you find yourself dreaming that you’re alone in an elevator, this is another socially-suggestive image.

As you already know…

An elevator is already a tiny room, almost a cell. And being the only one in it can be a sign that you are feeling socially isolated.

Humans are social animals. We need personal contact to stay healthy in mind and body and to help us deal with stress. Look to friends and family for some social support, or try to make contact with new people.

20. Dream of an Elevator Romance

Now we’re getting somewhere!

If you’ve had a dream about an elevator romance, you’re probably on the edge of your seat, wondering what it means. Regardless of if it was a passionate embrace, a deep kiss, or just picking up a date, this means something interesting.

Being in the small environment of an elevator usually suggests focus. You’re honed in on a love interest, or you’re feeling ready to take a step toward a serious relationship.

Elevator love!

21. Dream of a Sexual Encounter In an Elevator

“Love in an elevator / Livin’ it up as you’re going down”

Aerosmith wrote a song about this decades ago, even if you’ve only just dreamt about it now.

A sexual encounter in an elevator is again a dream with a lot of importance. However, the direction of the elevator is crucial to note here. If the elevator was going up, this suggests a really positive sexual experience.

But if it was going down, it represents either a bad time or a sexual relationship that’s steering you in the wrong direction. Time to reassess!

22. Dream About Being Naked In an Elevator

This is one of the weirder elevator dreams you can have. If you find yourself naked on an elevator, especially with other people aboard who are dressed, it’s probably a signal of your anxiety.

But, what is it with naked dreams?

Often, we appear naked in our dreams when we have imposter syndrome – when we feel that we don’t deserve our successes or relationships with great people.

23. Dream About Always Getting to the Wrong Floor

Another weird one is a dream of being in an elevator that never stops at the floor you’re trying to reach. No matter how many times you press your button, that darned thing just keeps going back up and down.

If the elevator never stops for you, this is a sign that you feel you’re being overlooked or under-appreciated. Essentially, it’s a feeling that while everyone else is getting what they deserve, the universe is skipping over you.

24. Dream of Waiting Forever for an Elevator

Waiting for an elevator can be infuriating. Especially in sky-scrapers with dozens of floors to service. Dreaming about this situation can be nerve-wracking, especially if you seem to be waiting for an elevator in your dream that never comes.

This dream is actually something of a signal to yourself. You likely have some anxiety over a situation that is actually doing you a lot of damage. This dream is showing you that it’s better to take the bull by the horns and get things over with. Even if the results might not be the best.

It will still be better than waiting!

25. Dream of Getting Off an Elevator In a Different Place

The last of the meanings when you dream about elevators is probably the strangest of them all.

Yet, remarkably common…

Many people dream of getting on an elevator in a perfectly normal location, like their office building or a shopping center. But when the bell dings and the doors open, they find themselves in a whole new location. Often, these places are totally wild, like the top of a snowy mountain peak or on the rings of Saturn.

A dream like this represents movement and growth. It reveals that you have achieved some special knowledge or wisdom that has brought your life to a new level. Now you have to let it sink in, and transport you to the next plateau.

Want More Dream Interpretations?

If so, there are a couple of similar or related dreams you might want to read about, such as Dreaming of Hotels, Being Chased in a Dream, Boat Dream Meaning, having a Dream About Flying, or a Dream About Airplane.

We also cover some of the weirder stuff like a Dream About Deceased Dogs, Dreaming Of Someone Dying Who Is Still Alive, Dreaming About Peeing, a Dream About Period Blood, Dreams About Cutting Hair, and the most common Sex Dream Meanings.

In fact, we’ll probably be able to give you a full guide if you type any dream into our search box in 2023!

Ok, back to today’s dream discussion…

Meanings When You Dream About Elevators – Final Thoughts

Dreams of elevators are not uncommon. Many are quite normal and are like normal life. But others can be weird, wild, and wonderful.

Of course, they’re not always positive – some of these dreams can tell us about really negative things going on in our lives that we may have otherwise ignored. So if you have an elevator dream, it definitely has a deeper meaning than it might seem on the surface. Take note of what you can remember, and hopefully, you’ll be able to interpret it through one of the meanings I’ve given you.

This is your unconscious mind speaking to you, so embrace it and try to listen to what it wants to tell you.

Sweet dreams!

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