Dream Symbols | Objects

Drum Dream Symbol and Meaning

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Did you have a dream about a drum or other sort of percussion musical instrument? Today we’ll explore what drums can symbolize and what it can mean to have a dream about drumming.

What it Means to Dream About Drums

We can experience drums in many different ways in our dreams and for many different reasons! Drums are frequently associated with music, dancing, spiritual rituals, and even warfare. To best understand what your dream means, it can help to pay attention to the details of the drum itself and identify the type of drum and its purpose.

Tilted Down view of Drums
Young man with drumsticks recording his music in home studio

Rhythm, Balance, and Cycles

When we think of drums, one of the first things that comes to mind is rhythm. If you have ever watched a a marching band perform in a parade or military procession, you likely noticed drummers playing a steady beat known as cadence. This cadence helps all of the people marching stay in unison.

As humans, we experience rhythm in many different ways. Circadian rhythm is a term which is often used to describe our daily cycle of behaviors, thoughts and emotions.

When you have a balanced rhythm, most days are somewhat predictable – you may wake at the same time in the morning for example. When off balance, you may experience mood swings or find yourself struggling to fall asleep or stay awake.

We also experience rhythm in our physical bodies – for example the sound and vibrations associated with a heart beating. Breathing is another example – we breathe in, we breathe out and this continuously repeats.

Today many of the drum samples you might hear in music are created electronically – no musical instrument or physical object is even used to create sound. In electronic music, this is often referred to as sequencing or making drum loops – again reinforcing rhythm and cycles.

Do you feel like you are currently in the rhythm of your life? Do you have good flow? Does your life make you want to get up and dance or do you feel like everything is a little bit “off”?

If you listen closely to music, you will notice that the drums often are the glue which holds a song together. When we dream about a drum, it reminds us that balance is important so everything can work together.

Man Playing Drums
Musician playing drums on stage

Feeling Overwhelmed or Anxious

It’s not unusual for a person to start tapping their toes or drumming their fingers along something when feeling nervous or anxious.

You might be feeling pressured by many things in life: a part-time job, schoolwork, relationships, financial stability, or even your personal identity. Your dream may also indicate that you are feeling overwhelmed and might start coming up with excuses as to why this is the case.

Should You Make Some Noise or Be Quiet?

Most of the time, the sound of a drum is very loud. When someone bangs on a drum, it can create a noise.  When dreaming of someone playing the drums, you might want to pay attention to how you felt in the dream. Did you feel like it was hard to hear or was the sound too loud?

This noise can either be rhythmic and soothing or irritating and unbearable. If you enjoyed the drumming in the dream, this certainly means something different than if you found it annoying or painful to listen to!

Think about if there is a situation in your life where you are being “too loud” or “not loud enough”. You could be doing too much – or doing too little.


Questions to Consider in Interpreting this Dream:

  • What type of drum did you see in the dream?
  • How many drums were there?
  • Was someone playing the drums?
  • What other dream symbols did you notice?
Group of Children Playing Drums
Group of children playing the drums in a temple, a traditional set of drums.

Drum Dream Interpretation Examples

Now that we’ve covered what it means to dream about drums or drumming, let’s go into some specific examples of drum dream interpretation to help you better understand your dream and how it might apply to your waking life.

Dream About Drum Set:

Drum sets consist of drums and cymbals and are typically played with drumsticks. Seeing a drum set in your dream means that you are thinking about the past and are working through some of your feelings about it.

You may also feel that someone has been trying to make you feel a certain way because something has been said or done. You are seeing what you are feeling inside on the outside.

When You Are Playing the Drums in a Dream:

If you dream of playing a drum set, then it suggests that you need to relax and let go of feelings that may be getting the best of you. If things seem too complicated, look at the situation from different angles and allow time for things to unfold naturally.

Dreaming of Someone Else Playing the Drums

If you see a drummer in your dreams, it can mean you are looking to others to help you find balance in your life. You may be too reliant on others. It also means that others are relying on you.

If the drummer hits the wrong notes or plays too loudly, then it suggests that you are irritated or upset with someone for not being honest with you.

Dream About Hearing Drums in the Distance:

If you hear drums from far away in your dream, it can mean that you are hoping to hear some news from someone in your life. You may be anxiously waiting to hear about a job offer or proposal from someone.

Dreaming About Drums in a Marching Band:

Marching band drums help keep the entire band in unison. If you dream about a marching band and see the drummers, it can be a sign that you need to think about teamwork. Do you fit in well with others or do you march to the sound of your own beat?

Dreaming About a Famous Drummer

There are many famous drummers out there who play for different bands. If you dream about a rockstar who plays the drums, it could be your subconscious’s way of getting your attention about something.


Did you have a dream about playing the drums or seeing a drummer? Tell us about your drum dream and what you think it means in the comments section below!

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