Stairs symbolized the Power of Ascension to the ancients, the transcendence and movement into new levels of existence. This was especially true of stairs on sacred buildings and mountains. The number of steps you use to get to your goal also counts.
And stairs often were symbols for other symbols - like mountains, rainbows, trees, ladders, even ropes. Symbols within symbols are a great way to communicate large concepts all in one tidy image. Steps are commonly used in myths in just this way, showing the power of the hero to break through and open the way for communication between worlds.
Stairs also represent the stages of spiritual development and are related to the spiral in that way.
Stairs also represent the stages of spiritual development and are related to the spiral in that way.
