- Fire is a symbol of rejuvenation. It can cleanse and purify.
- Fire sustain us, but it can also destroy. We need warmth to survive, but uncontrolled fire can cause untold pain and destruction.
- Fire can provide illumination and show us the way when we are in the dark.
- Fire is also a symbol of war, might, aggression, and male power.
- Fire is linked to transformation and change. For example, the Phoenix is a bird of fire that after death, is reborn from the ashes of its predecessor.
Which of these meanings fire has in our dream will depend a lot on the surrounding context. In particular,
- Kindling a fire to serve our purposes is very different from a fire that is blazing out of control.
- A fire that warms and comforts us is different from a fire which causes fear and excruciating pain.
- The objects and people associated with the fire are also important.
This is why in dream interpretation, it is important to remember the details of our dream, for example through the use of a dream journal.
1. Dream of Fire and Control
If we dream that we are in control of the fire and are using it to serve our own needs, then fire has a positive meaning. It also signals that we want change to occur.
- Kindling a fire for others indicates that we are helping or guiding those around us. Sharing a campfire can also express a need or interest in socializing and companionship.
- Kindling a fire in our home, particularly during cold or inclement weather, suggests some imminent good fortune, we may be trying to conceive, or expecting a visit from close friends or family.
- Kindling a fire while on a journey shows that we are being creative, innovative, or leading a new venture.
- A controlled fire burning in the hearth signals comfort, warmth, and light. We may be contented with our current state of affairs. Searching for a hearth fire in our dream, may signal that we are seeking comfort and illumination in our life.
If the kindled fire is extinguished by rain in our dream, it could suggest a loss of money, job, comfort, or security.
On the other hand, if we are setting an uncontrolled fire with the purpose of destroying people, objects, and property (i.e. arson), then we are likely harboring some jealousy, bitterness, or hatred in our life toward a co-worker, friend, or relative.
- Dreaming we are setting fire to ourselves, indicates that we may be experiencing extreme stress or emotional turmoil in our life, and feel like we are burning up. It may also indicate that we want to remove some aspect of our life or personality.
- Dreaming we are a firefighter or are trying to put out a fire suggests that there are many complicated and high stress problems that are demanding our attention. There are perhaps many challenges that we may have to face and we will need to work hard to overcome them. Trying to stop a fire can also express a desire to prevent change in our life.
- Dreaming we are a fire eater shows that we have strong emotions, but they are currently being kept under control. However, if we become consumed by the fire, then our emotions may be starting to overwhelm us.
- Dreaming we are worshiping fire expresses a love for war or conflict. We may feel strongly that a resolution can only be achieved through the use of force or physical might. It may also indicate a wish for finding a more masculine partner, or the need to cultivate more masculine qualities in ourselves.
2. Dream of Fire and How We Feel
How we feel during our fire dream is also very important.
Feeling pain from being burned by our dream fire, may indicate that our current life situation is threatening and painful. There could be an unresolved issue that is causing us subconscious pain. We may be consumed by ambition, anger, frustration, and other strong emotions. We may be going through an emotionally painful break-up, or having difficult problems at work.
If we are struck by pain or discomfort from the heat of a blaze or feel its bite on our face, we may be worried of being the subject of slander, jealousy, spite, or other types of verbal and emotional abuse.
Feeling good or excited from seeing our heart on fire suggests strong positive emotions or love for someone in our life. We may currently be in an exciting relationship, and have intense desire toward our current partner.
Feeling tired or nothing at all from being burned by fire suggests that we are feeling burned-out or unmotivated.
Feeling fear and great uncertainty from a large out of control fire or firestorm signals a worry for insubordination, civic disorder, or chaos around us. There may be signs of unhappiness and insubordination at work or we may worry about social unrest in our current area. More black smoke indicates greater danger.
Feeling cool and comfortable in a fire represents a pure heart. We are confident of our current course in life, and are certain of our faith and decisions. There are no unresolved issues or deceits that are troubling us.
Feeling protected and safe in a fire may mean that we have a trusted partner or a strong support group of friends, family, or co-workers that will help keep us safe from whatever adversity that may arise in our life.
3. Dream of Fire and Objects
The objects in our fire dream are also very important for interpreting its meaning.
1. House.
A common object that appears in many fire dreams is a house. Our house or home often represents us or our family. Dreaming that our house is on fire may indicate large changes that are coming and uncertainty over those changes. It may also reflect tumultuous personal emotions, loss of mental peace, or being overwhelmed by strong feelings.
A raging uncontrolled fire in our town signals broader issues affecting our community. There could be economic issues that cause job losses or political unrest.
Finally, seeing the ruins of our house or town after a fire indicates loss and sadness. We may be worried of losing someone or something important to us (e.g. family, friends, job, money), or have recently experienced such a loss in our life.
2. Fire extinguisher.
Trying to put out a fire with an extinguisher represents a desperate need to suppress emotions and desires, or avoid changes that are happening in our life.
3. Other people.
If we see another person being burned, it shows that we have strong feelings or emotions toward that person. Whether those feelings are positive or negative will depend a lot on what we are feeling in our dream, and whether the person is comfortable or in pain from the fire.
Sharing the light of someone else’s fire may indicate a desire to share in the knowledge and companionship of others. We may be feeling lonely or stagnant, and be yearning for experiences with new people.
The Meaning of Fire Dreams
To interpret the meaning of our fire dreams, we want to pay attention to –
- Whether we are in control of the fire. In particular, did we start the fire and is the fire currently being used for our comfort, safety, and illumination.
- What we feel with regard to our dream fire. Were we afraid of it or comforted by its warmth? Were we comfortable and renewed by the fire, or did we feel pain and fear?
- Other objects and people in our dream.
Do you have many fire dreams? Tell us about it in the comments section below.
Trudy Morales says
In my dream a fire stove was tipped over on the upper level of my home.I told my husband that the house will burn down if he didnt pick up the stove.There was party going on and i also told my sister and she was trying to get upstairs I left the home with my children but as we got further awat i seen my home in flames.I dont know if my husband or sister got out.
Lauren says
I had a dream I was at my house with my daughter a bunch of her friends ( teenagers), and a very close friend to the family . I was in and out of the house and she was sitting on the porch in the front . I all of a sudden saw flames of fire on the second floor of the house . I was scared and called 911, but the firefighters were taking a long time to come. I’m the meantime one of the kids who was around my house took a torch lit it in front of me and I’m slow motion threw the torch into the first floor of the house . He was upset bc I was yellling who did this.. I saw his face but I do not know who he is. Last thing I rember is 5 dogs came walking out of the front door and anyone on the porch had to move bc it was getting out of control but the fire man never came . What does this mean ??
sekhemet says
I had a dream there was a public fire sculpture but it had gone out, i made it roar very high by asking it, then people wondered how, I made it huge and letters appeared in it, i knew i couldn’t let them see so i let the fire go and left…on way home i could literally shoot fire from my fingers at will.
Trina Powell says
When I was a child I had reoccurring dreams of standing, surrounded by flames. I was not in pain, I was just standing there. What did that mean? I was about 7 or 8 years old, but it has always been a worry to me. Now I’m I’m my 50’s and discussing cremation, that dream is bothering me. Any ideas?
barbara says
Dreamt that there was fire by one of my trees and grass in the backyard. I told my husband about it and he just shrugged it off and said not to worry about it. When I woke up the next morning (in my dream), the fire had spread to another tree.
Melody says
My dream of fire was terrifying. Before this scene in the dream, I had been texting my mom and sister in an entirely different room. College drama stuff. There was a school event similar to prom where there was a lot of hype happening. This gorgeous girl who looked similar to me, but was not me, was doing a sort of podcast when an uncontrollable explosion from behind the camera brushed it’s flamed through her body. You could see her hair and head forced backward as the flames melted her face. Behind her, students were screaming in agony, but the room was too small. They couldn’t get out. This continued for what seemed like forever. When it moved from that perspective to my own, I was in the hallway next to the burned room. People were sobbing as the bodies of charred and mutilated people were carried out. People I had known throughout my lifetime but hadn’t formed a close bond with were being carried out by students. There bodies were so realistically burned. I knew who they all were. A friend I had known who dressed up like a zombie with my sister years ago was being carried out with a black and wrinkled body that was unrecognizable.. A teen boy who I had become friends with during the year was carried out. He was the nicest person I knew. He almost looked alive and I screamed out for him, ater seeing his limp body thrown into a pile with the rest I started sobbing. I called my boyfriend and started crying when he answered. He hadn’t gone. He was alive and one of his best friends was not. That’s around the time I was woken up by my alarm.
Michelle G says
I had this dream nearly 20 yrs ago. Only one I recall so vividly. There was an old semi trailer on fire in a the opening of some trees,there were multiple old vehicles over grown by weeds and bushes every where. I could hear my then 3yr old son crying but I couldn’t find him. He kept crying, I kept searching, I was in a panic mode. I seen him in his car seat inside the burning semi trailer. I ran through the fire and snatched him up but I couldn’t get back out. I woke up in pure fear. This dream stuck with me for days and days.
It was nearly 2 weeks later when the wreck happened. My now ex husband and I were driving my 89 Cutlass to another town to pick up a refund of $600 for underpin we decided not to use on our trailer home. The highway we were traveling down has an interstate on ramp. Someone pulled out in front of us, to cross our lane so they could get to the on ramp.my husband slammed on the brakes but We hit them doing 60mph. I watched the front end of that car crumple, twist and crush all the way to the dash, at which point I just closed my eyes and turned my head waiting for the glass to shatter. I felt us spinning. My sons screaming woke me up. I was Covered in glass. My husband was unconscious next to me. I climbed to the back seat and unbuckled my son, handed him to the first person that came to my side. My husband had to be life flighted out.
Who did we hit? A man driving a dual sized pick up truck with a closed in car trailer. The car trailer, much like a semi trailer was what took us out. The driver made the statement “I don’t know why I didn’t look before I crossed the lane”. He was also the one who had taken my son from me when I got him out. In the end, we were all ok eventually. It took months for my husband to recover, it took a year before I could get my anxiety under control to even drive again.
I had received a warning I in my dream. It wasn’t the first but it was the last one I’ve had in nearly 20 yrs that involved fire.
Joann Lopez says
My daughter dreamt I was burning in hell and that I was reaching up to her begging her to help me. Wat is the significance of the dream
Bernie says
I dreamt my house was on fire and while I got my mom and dog out I went back in to save some irreplaceable photos of my grandchildren I am not allowed to see. My daughters husband is controlling and after 4 years of being extremely close to my granddaughter and I was always close to my daughter we cannot see each other. It has been 4 years. She also denied my mom her dying wish of seeing her great granddaughter. In my dream I kept seeing other items I was trying to save.
Breakin' down Boyfriend says
I had a dream. I was going to a game at a newly built Colosseum my grade school built. My family went and I invited my girlfriend too. 10 minutes into the game and I see out the large window of the Colosseum to my right is a fire. I didn’t know what started it, but my gut told me to get out. My family told me we needed to go. I looked to where my girlfriend was sitting ans she was gone. I called her name, but my voice was drowned out by the people screaming and the fire alarms blaring on and on. Everyone left, but I wasn’t leaving till I found my girlfriend and got her to safety. I started choking on the think smoke and called my girlfriend’s name. I don’t remember what happened after that. I may have passed out from the smoke or hit by a burning building part. I woke up in my bed. I’m concerned about my girlfriend because I think the dream meant I might lose my girlfriend and I don’t know what I’d do without her. I don’t know what my dream meant by it, but I’d feel a lot better if I knew what my dream means.
Thanks!
:/ says
I had a dream that my cat knocked over a candle in my room then ran away, I felt the warmth and heard the fire burning (I thought it was real) all I could think to myself was “I can put it out” I instantly woke up and looked where the fire was while reaching for my water cup….but it was gone.
The night after I dreamed there was a fire in my living room and it was worse then the previous one (again I felt warmth and heard burning but it was a cold outside) I woke up, and looked down the hall and the fire was gone.
I still feel warm when I wake up even if it’s cold all around me, I think it’s just adrenaline.
A couple nights ago I had the same feeling when my sister had a seizer idk if that could be the problem or not.
Also the night before I had any of these dreams my friend said he had a crush on someone….it’s kinda sad for me because I think I’m in love with Him and we talk daily it’s a instant connection…..if anyone has any thoughts on why theses dreams are happening i could really use some help
Latia says
I had a dream about a house blowing up and we had too hide so it didn’t hit me my family and friends but it hit the houses and the farm houses and we had to run because the fire was spreading around and u fell over and nearly got caught into the fire it’s wasnt a nightmare or a good dream it was both
Jameshia t says
I had a dream , somebody was outside my grandmother house and I knew what they was going to do (shoot us) I had a revolver. I told my grandma too just do it thinking I was going to shoot before they do , gun got jam and I went too the back I knew my grandma was gone but I didn’t hear shots just the felt of it everything was silent doing the moment my sister was 7 she was in the living room, I knew she was gone as well. I wen to the back seen a man really couldn’t see but i know it was somebody and he killed my 4 year old sister in my face , I was next he shot me I was going to pretend dead but I knew I wasn’t going to make it so I had the time to text my love On I got shot, and I love her. She thought I wasn’t serious hard for her to believe but I couldn’t finish the rest and I lay back thinking I was dead. Soon I started to burn on my chest , all I could think about was I was dead and going to hell, I begin to start telling god too give me another chance the fire increase in my chest I’m just touching my upper part everywhere thinking I could put it out but it was in the inside, when I kept telling god give me another chance I’m going too do right I begin to awake. I didn’t wake up in slot of fear but as it goes through my mind I wonder is this my last chance to make a difference, I need a answer to understand it more better.
cristina q says
dreaming that company burned and I saw that Im one of the missing person while im holding the list of it. Then I was wondering in my dreams if im already dead or still alive
TIONGE says
i dreamnt that my uncles house the kitchen in particular burned with fire,and i started the fire accidentally because of an electric fought..what could that mean?
Lulu Guo says
I dream about me and my grandma together want to keep a fire going ( maybe to cook food or something). I was a child in the dream( I am now 24 years old). My grandma started the fire and then left me to attend it and she went around to search for dry branches and hay to burn. The whole feeling concerning the fire is positive, it makes me excited, warm, hopeful and safe. I grow up with my grandparents, and my grandma represents hardworking , hope, love and persistence for me. However, there is another person appearing all of the sudden beside me and he either warns me or criticizes me( I am not so sure what he/she says now), I remember I don’t like that person in my dream. And while grandma is away during this time, another weird thing happens. When I checked my fire again, there are two soft teddy toys in danger , nearly burnt. That person tells me to let them burn, because we need to keep the fire on( grandma has not been back , and the fire is nearly out). I hesitated, but in the end I saved the two teddy toys because I love my toys and I want to keep them( one of the ears of one of the toys is lost though). After that I went to find my grandma and helped her carry the hay back to the fireplace. I thought the fire may be out till now, but a big wood chop appears there and the fire cannot look more promising. That’s all . Hope someone will read this and interpret this.
Hayley says
The dream I had was my brother using gas and put it all over my room on the walls, floor, bed, and myself. Then he lit it. My dream ended right when I was about to get burned. What does it mean?
Afshan says
I had a dream last night that my sister accidently burnt my new dupatta and it got two holes.It was a while colour dupatta.
Jawn says
I had a dream that the horse stables I work at caught fire, and I was blamed for it. Even though in the dream I did not start the fire. when i was leaving work as it was in flames, my sister and another worker was there. My sister doesnt work with me. My boss then talked to me the next day about how I owed her $48,000 for the damages. I would pay her $1000 dollars a month until paid back. My mom was at my work with my boss to help deliver the news to me.
Meriam says
I dream about fire and water a lot . But this 2 things they dont consume anything that is mine or my family’s.
Lincoln says
In my dream I didn’t see a fire, I looked through the window after hearing the water sprinkler in the basement and saw it wetting the area.
Jotham Cruz says
I had a dream. I went home and the fire was startinf all over the wooden house(not my house today). I stopped it hy splashing water there wer so many small fire in ky dream i saw some member of the famoly who wqs not doing anything. So i had to stop it on kumy own. But fortunately i stopped it. What does it mean?