Have you ever found yourself flying in a dream, surrounded by clear blue skies, maybe even clouds, and just basking in the pure bliss that is levitation?
Dreams are full of diverse experiences—but not just experiences. They also hold hidden meanings and subtle connotations of what our subconscious is trying to tell us.
Flying dreams are, in most cases, very happening and peaceful dreams. They indicate a sense of liberation, free spiritedness and desire. However, there are also specific flying dreams that bring out negative emotions. These can indicate a desire to break free from bondage.
In this article, we will dive deep into the specifics of flying dreams—happy ones as well as scary ones—and understand what significance and message they hold for us.

Flying as a Symbol

Flying, in all aspects, is considered a symbol of freedom. In literature, flying is used as a symbol for the portrayal of power and freedom. Spiritually as well, flying is seen as a symbol of liberation and connection to the higher self. In dreams, flying can symbolize many things, depending on the nature and specifics of the dream. Most flying dreams are on the positive side, eliciting feelings of exhilaration, calm, and liberation. Flying can also be a negative elicitor, evoking feelings of fear, lack of control, and emotional turmoil.

Liberation

When we fly, we feel like we are guided and controlled by only the wind. And the wind, too, seems like an easy medium through which to glide.
It could either be that you desire liberation from your daily life and struggles or that it indicates an already-existent liberation: from materialistic desires, from burdens and responsibilities, or from sorrow.
Let us now go into further detail regarding the specific types of flying dreams and what they indicate.

Power

Flying above things can indicate a superiority or power over those below. Power that may not exist but is felt by your subconscious.
The feeling of gliding above the daily hassles and small worries that pepper life and being separated from them can be an indication of flying. This can be derived by analyzing the emotion felt during the dream.

Wider Horizons

Flying is essentially getting a zoomed-out view of life and the world. So, the dream of flying can also be an indicator of a need to step back and look at things from a broader perspective.
We sometimes get too overwhelmed or involved in minute things that do not matter; with a broader view, we can understand a situation in its totality.

Different Flying Dreams and Their Interpretations

Flying with Wings

There can be two types of wings while flying in dreams: bird wings or mechanical wings. Bird wings indicate a feeling akin to a bird, where you are freely flying and are liberated from all things holding you back. It also indicates a sense of free-spiritedness, where you are more spontaneous.
Mechanical wings indicate a more logical approach to life and, depending upon the dream scenario, can also indicate a robotic sort of ascension in life, workaholic behavior, or a pragmatic way of life.
In both cases, it can either be that your subconscious feels this way, or it could be that you deeply desire this feeling. Dreams portray either our most profound longings or our emotions about our current life status.

Flying on a Vehicle

Dreaming of driving a flying car, carpet, bicycle, or any other object as a vehicle indicates that you possess the means necessary for your liberation or upliftment. It means you have what it takes and need only to realize it.
Flying a vehicle can also mean you are going into unchartered territory. Whether that territory is harmful or beneficial depends entirely on the dream scenario. If the vehicle keeps having turbulence issues or is unstable, it can mean that you feel uncertain in some area of your life or that the new change in your life may not be as beneficial as you thought. It can also be a premonition regarding an event or situation likely to arise. Maybe you have a potential promotion down the line, but you’re unsure whether you should take it or not. Maybe you have already taken a job for which you had to relocate and are finding it challenging.
So then, depending upon the dream scenario plus your own life circumstances, a personal dream interpretation can be drawn.

Flying on an Animal

Like the way mythological gods and goddesses, if you’ve dreamt of yourself riding a mythical flying creature, it could be an indication of your keen interest in mythology and gods. Or, it could mean your instinctive, mysterious, and dark side is on the rise.
These, too, depend on how you were feeling in the dream. If you were extremely thrilled and almost devilishly pleased, then, of course, your dark side beckoned you, and you might have made or would make selfish or evil choices. If your experience was more serene and calm, it means you are feeling spiritually enlightened, and a new strength has risen in you.

Flying on Your Own

If you are flying without the external help of a vehicle or wings, it means you are feeling extremely confident, sure, and desirous of life on your own terms. Flying by using your arms or by using your body means you rely on yourself and know that you possess the means in and of yourself to go through life and its hardships. Depending on your life circumstances, it may also indicate a certain specific hardship that you thought you couldn’t overcome.
Another angle to this aspect is that of longing for detachment and a wider perspective.

Flying over Water

Now, we move on from the medium of flight to the surroundings. If the dream includes flying over a water body, it can reveal significant emotional details about the dreamer.
Water embodies emotions in dreams, which means flying over a calm and serene water body means a peaceful and calm mind, whereas flying over turbulent and stormy water can mean certain emotional baggage or hinderances that are either holding you back, or you are running away from them. Neither is a good indication. Such a dream indicates you need to deal with your emotions and face them rather than avoid or suppress them.

Flying over Known People or Things

Flying above and over your family, friends, known places, etc., can mean leaving behind their comfort in search of personal peace or growth. It can either be an indication from your subconscious to do so, or it could be something you’ve already begun. Flying over a toxic environment or place can mean leaving all residuals of attachments from it behind and moving on entirely.
In a different sense, flying over known things can also indicate alienation, the feeling of standing out among them or being disconnected from them when you don’t want to. It could indicate an emotional, intellectual, or physical distance from your loved ones.

Flying and Falling

A dream in which you fly but then suddenly drop to the ground or try to fly but cannot indicate a desire to be free of your troubles but are unable to do so. It can elicit frustration, anger, and desperation in the dream, possibly mirroring what the dreamer feels while awake.

Flying with Someone

Generally, a dream where you fly with another person is a sign of the highest order of trust and connection. The person is dear to you, and you consider them a soulmate.
However, under different circumstances, suppose a dream elicits a resentful or trapped feeling, which can indicate that the person is holding you back or is a burden to you. Dreams, where some object or person is sitting atop you while you fly, are also indicators of how heavy a responsibility and burden that object or person has proven to be in your life.

Levitation

Slowly taking to the air from the ground or suddenly levitating are indicators of a gradual process of awakening. The awakening can be spiritual, personal, inter-personal, or otherwise, but it is an experience of growth and genuine upliftment.

Conclusion

Flying dreams can mean various things, depending upon what medium the flying is happening through, what circumstances and surroundings are at play within the dream as well as in the life of the dreamer.
Though most dreams are a positive sign of upliftment, liberation, spiritual growth, or a new perspective, there can also be negative connotations. Those can indicate a sense of alienation, depression, and inner turmoil.
Various objects and individuals appearing in the dream can indicate the status of that aspect of the dreamer’s life; for example, water, emotions, and animals indicate instinct and natural inclination.