Ropes – Dreaming about ropes is a symbol of control. Ropes are most often used to attach one person or item to another person or item, or to prevent a person or animal from moving in a certain way. Your exact meaning of the dream symbol of ropes will depend on the exact use of the ropes in the dream. For instance, if you dream of tying a boat to a dock with ropes, this indicates striving for stability and security, though you might desire freedom. On the other hand, if you dream of tying up another person or an animal up with ropes, this is a negative dream sign of the control you are trying to have over the other people in your life.