Foot, Toe, Tread, Stamp

The foot represents a one's contact with the earth, but also more symbolically one's connection with oneself, or the situation one is in (and, in the case of shoes, one's attitude toward it). To be barefoot is to be naked on the feet, sharing to some extent the symbolism of nudity.  

Grounded

Someone standing with both feet on the ground is grounded, a reality-oriented person (see also Wanderer). However, one who has lost contact with reality walks as if above the ground (see also Flying); those who are very much in their heads often have dreams where they are not in touch with the earth—perhaps flying, floating, or finding themselves in places high up. While the farmer walks in sturdy boots, the emperor floats in a litter, and so on. (Compare Leg.)  

To "lose one's footing" means to lose one's security or to lose contact with reality.

Stance

Feet and shoes represent one’s stance. If one dreams that one has no feet or are wearing someone else's shoes, it may reflect a lack of an individual perspective. This association recurs in expressions like "I stand for" this or that; "where one stands," regarding positions, and so forth.

Movement

Humans move forward by walking, placing one foot in front of the other. In this way, we rhythmically traverse the earth on our simple journey. But we also use this ability to navigate a situation—we can "step forward" or "take a step back."

The foot, walking, and stamping possess phallic symbolism; the rhythmic "back and forth" that characterizes wandering and dancing is connected to coitus and pregnancy (see below).

Power

"To step on someone" or "to walk over dead bodies" alludes to the foot as a symbol of power and ruthlessness. The hunter places his foot on the killed prey when he allows himself to be photographed, and the marching of soldiers demonstrates their (collective) power, and so forth.

Stamping

Stamping carries a maternal symbolic value. Faust reaches the Mothers by stamping on the ground; Thor stamped through the bottom of the boat when he fought the sea monster (the terrible mother). The stamping movement is reminiscent of infants. Both this and the sole of the foot are symbols of the Great Mother. Dances with rhythmic stamping allow participants to sink into an unconscious state, a kind of intentional regression to the Primordial Mother. The foot's stamping of the earth is ultimately phallic and fertilizing.

Toe

Our toes are small and the part of the body farthest from our eyes, which can symbolize something we have overlooked because we do not pay attention to it. At the same time, the toes are crucial for walking, maintaining balance, and so on, and can symbolize the little things that are necessary for the whole.

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