Oar dream meaning is explained below using 20 different sources. Each interpretation is shown with its source.

Interpretation 1 — Pamela Ball

1- The oar is a tool that enables a boat to move forward successfully; but its use requires some skill. Thus it stands for our own set of personal skills. We have certain skills which help us to ‘navigate’ our lives.

2- To put one’s oar in indicates our ability to interfere with other people’s lives.

To lose an oar indicates the loss of an ability we have formerly valued.

3- An oar can suggest a Spiritual Tool, by nature of its guiding qualities, though ultimately it is we ourselves who have control over the direction we take.

Source: Ten Thousand Dream Dictionary • Author: Pamela Ball

Interpretation 2 — Versatile - Anonymous

Gives gender-specific: In dreams, a woman is more likely to be passive when an oar is used.

If she is using the oars she is in control of any final decision. In a man’s dream, since rowing faces away from the direction of travel, he must perhaps trust his own judgement. You might like to consult the entries for boat / ship, journey and transport for further clarification.

Source: Dream Meanings of Versatile • Author: Versatile - Anonymous

Interpretation 3 — James R. Lewis and Evelyn Dorothy Oliver

Oars represent a journey across the surface of the unconscious. They also symbolize masculine power. Oars penetrate the waters of the emotions and the psyche, moving through the issues at hand. Having only one oar and being motionless, or trying to row with only one oar, may depict the need for a partner or mate.
Source: Dream Symbols in The Dream Encyclopedia • Author: James R. Lewis and Evelyn Dorothy Oliver

Interpretation 4 — Dream Explanations - Anonymous

To dream of using or seeing an oar represents your desire to control and direct a situation in your life. Your ability to maneuver through your ocean of emotions is being tested.

If you only have one oar, you might be spinning in circles without realizing it.

See Boat and Water.

Source: Strangest Dream Explanations • Author: Dream Explanations - Anonymous

Interpretation 5 — Nancy Wagaman

Your ability to “get places,” navigate, or change direction in your life.

Losing your oars while in a boat can represent: a particular real-life situation in which you feel unempowered, a feeling or fear of not being able to change direction in your life.

See Propeller, Steering

Source: The Curious Dreamer’s Dream Dictionary • Author: Nancy Wagaman

Interpretation 6 — Gustavus Hindman Miller

To dream of handling oars, portends disappointments for you, inasmuch as you will sacrifice your own pleasure for the comfort of others.

To lose an oar, denotes vain efforts to carry out designs satisfactorily.

A broken oar represents interruption in some anticipated pleasure.

Source: Ten Thousand Dream Interpretation • Author: Gustavus Hindman Miller

Interpretation 7 — Pagan - Anonymous

If you handle or otherwise use oars in your dream you will experience disappointments and you may sacrifice your own desires to please others.

To lose an oar shows you have not planned sufficiently and a broken oar denotes utter failure in your undertaking.

Source: Tryskelion Dream Interpretation • Author: Pagan - Anonymous

Interpretation 8 — Michael and Elizabeth Thiessen

If you handle or otherwise use oars in your dream you will experience disappointments and you may sacrifice your own desires to please others.

To lose an oar shows you have not planned sufficiently and a broken oar denotes utter failure in your undertaking.

Source: Encyclopedia of Dreams • Author: Michael and Elizabeth Thiessen

Interpretation 9 — myjellybean

If you dreamed of losing or breaking an oar, you will have difficulties, but you can quickly overcome them by using your head.

If you dreamed of rowing a boat, or of being rowed in one, you can expect to make steady progress along your chosen path.

Source: My Dream Interpretation • Author: myjellybean

Interpretation 10 — Stearn Robinson - Tom Corbett

This is another example of a bad news-good news dream.

The bad news is that if you lost or broke the oar, you are in for trouble; and the good news is that it will be the kind of trouble you can quickly overcome by using your head.

See also Row.

Source: The Complete Guide to Interpreting Your Dreams • Author: Stearn Robinson - Tom Corbett

Interpretation 11 — Versatile - Anonymous

Material aspects: The oar is a tool that enables a boat to move forward successfully, but its use requires some skill. Thus it stands for our own set of personal skills. We have certain skills that help us to ‘navigate’ our lives.
Source: Dream Meanings of Versatile • Author: Versatile - Anonymous

Interpretation 12 — Versatile - Anonymous

Psychological / emotional perspective: To ‘put our oar in’ indicates our ability to interfere with other people’s lives.

To lose an oar indicates the loss of an ability we have formerly valued.

Source: Dream Meanings of Versatile • Author: Versatile - Anonymous

Interpretation 13 — Tony Crisp

The personal energy and skill used to direct our way through the ‘waters of life’; wordplay for whore; phallic be­cause of its in and out motion. Idioms: stick one’s oar in; rest on one’s oars.
Source: A Guide to Dreams and Sleep Experiences • Author: Tony Crisp

Interpretation 14 — Internet Archive - Anonymous

It is a good omen if you dream of rowing in a small boat.

If others are also rowing with you, then expect to face difficulties before success, It is a bad sign if you lose or break an Oar.

Source: Mystic Dream Book • Author: Internet Archive - Anonymous

Interpretation 15 — Raymond Buckland

To be rowing with two oars means you will forge ahead due to your own efforts.

To lose an oar while rowing means you will suffer a minor setback, but will quickly recover.

Source: Gypsy Dream Dictionary • Author: Raymond Buckland

Interpretation 16 — Versatile - Anonymous

An oar, being a tool that both propels us forward and allows us to move in a particular direction, signifies a spiritual guiding principle.
Source: Dream Meanings of Versatile • Author: Versatile - Anonymous

Interpretation 17 — Betty Bethards

Helps put you in control of your boat or emotional life; without an oar you are unable to steer and drift about.

A guiding helpmate.

Source: The Dream Books Symbols • Author: Betty Bethards

Interpretation 18 — Ella Freeman Sharpe

Rowing a boat means sacrifice and disappointment for the dreamer.

To lose an oar warns of useless effort to please others.

Source: Psycho Dream Interpretation • Author: Ella Freeman Sharpe

Interpretation 19 — Joan Seaman - Tom Philbin

1. One is able to control emotions.

2. Phallic symbol.

3. Need for someone to help one.

Source: New American Dream Dictionary • Author: Joan Seaman - Tom Philbin

Interpretation 20 — Margaret Hamilton

Used in pursuit to move ahead, but without outside help; see “water”
Source: Dream Dictionary Unlimited • Author: Margaret Hamilton