Briefly
Pillars serve as a significant symbol in various cultures, religions, and spiritual teachings around the world. They essentially represent stability, strength, and support, embodying the notion of a firm foundation. They also can symbolize a link between the earth and the heavens, acting as a bridge between the mundane and the divine. In a broader sense, pillars can signify balance and duality, often seen in pairs, symbolizing opposites that balance each other, like light and darkness, or male and female.
Pillar in Dreams
From a psychological perspective, dreaming about pillars can carry profound meanings. In dream interpretation, seeing a pillar often signifies strength, stability, and personal values. It can express the dreamer’s strong beliefs, principles, or the essential elements that support their life and give it purpose. If the pillar in the dream is strong and sturdy, it may reflect the dreamer’s confidence and strength in their waking life. Conversely, a crumbling or weak pillar can suggest feelings of instability, insecurity, or a crisis of personal identity.
Pillar in Myths and Folklore
Pillars hold a significant presence in various myths, legends, and fairy tales globally. For instance, in Greek mythology, Atlas, a Titan, was condemned to hold up the celestial heavens for eternity, often depicted carrying the world on his shoulders, symbolizing a pillar. Similarly, in Norse mythology, Yggdrasil, the world tree, connects the nine worlds and is seen as a pillar connecting earth, heaven, and the underworld. Hindu mythology also speaks of a cosmic pillar or ‘Skambha’ representing the infinite power of the divine. Hence, pillars in myths and folklore often symbolize a cosmological axis, representing connection, balance, and the interplay between different realms or aspects of existence.
Reviewed by Alexander Lys, M.L., a specialist in the field of symbolism research and dream psychology. A certified participant in numerous psychological seminars and courses, the author of hundreds of articles on psychology, including studies on symbolism in dreams and myths from a scientific perspective.