Spider symbolism represents guile, artistry, and patience. They are on every continent other than Antarctica, with each region giving them meaning.
What Does a Spider Symbolize?
Artistry
Spiders symbolize artistry because of their iridescent webs. They take the time to weave their webs in optimal locations. If one of the strands breaks, spiders will weave a web again. These webs are strong and involve repeating patterns that converge at a single point.
Illusion
Spiders are skilled in the art of illusion and entrapment. They can create their webs in a way that can trap other creatures.
Balance
Spiders symbolize balance. They play a critical role in keeping natural ecosystems in balance and healthy. While their part in supporting nature and life is important, they are also killing machines.
Female Empowerment
Female spiders are symbols of female empowerment and female power. Generally, female spiders are larger and live longer than male spiders. A female spider might destroy a male. In addition, female spiders can stand on their own and defend themselves.
Interconnection
The spider’s web is thought to symbolize interconnection. Whether it is the World Wide Web or a spider’s web, a web can show how we are all interconnected with one another.
Manifestation
Spiders are often seen as a symbol of manifestation because of their patient and methodical approach to weaving intricate webs. Their ability to systematically create a web is a metaphor for developing and manifesting one’s goals and desires.
Constructing a web and then waiting patiently for their prey to come to them is symbolic of the idea that with careful planning, persistence, and patience, one can attract and achieve their desired outcomes in life. In this context, spiders are a reminder of the power of intention, patience, and the gradual building of one’s dreams and aspirations.
Ancient Wisdom
Since spiders have inhabited the world for more than 300 million years, they are also symbols of ancient wisdom. They have all of their history and experiences wrapped up in their DNA. Spiders remind us to study history so that we can learn from the past.
Patience
Spiders are symbols of patience since they are able to weave an intricate web. Weaving a web takes a lot of time and energy. If there is strong wind or a human, the web can easily break, and therefore needs reparation. It also takes time for prey to fly into the web.
Spider Color Symbolism
Black Spider Meaning
Black spiders can be a reminder to invite more mystery and discretion into your life. It can remind you to think for yourself and do what is best for you. The color black symbolizes mystery, elegance, rebellion, and formality.
Brown Spider Meaning
Brown spiders can be a reminder to get in touch with the things that truly matter. They can remind you to ground yourself and honor the things that helped you get to where you currently are. The color brown represents security, groundedness, and stability.
Gray Spider Meaning
Gray spiders are symbols for manifesting more balance and calm energy in your life. The color gray symbolizes balance, calmness, and mystery since gray is the color of fog and mist.
Red Spider Meaning
The red spider is a symbol for reacting to something quickly or before it happens. You may need to protect yourself or those around you that you care about. You should also be watchful for opportunities coming your way and then act on those. The color red symbolizes passion, action, excitement, primal energy, and wealth.
White Spider Meaning
The color white symbolizes simplicity and purity. So, if you see a white spider, it can be a sign to embrace minimalism in your life.
Spider Symbolism and Spiritual Meanings Throughout the World
Australian Aboriginal
Aboriginal Australians depicted spiders in artwork, and they have numerous tales that include spiders. Some of the tales tell the story of the “red-backed spider,” which is the Australian black widow. Her name is Kara, and she captures young men.
According to the Aborigines, you can see Kara in the sky as Rigel. Rigel is a bright star in the Orion constellation.
Ancient Peru
In Ancient Peru, the Moche, Cupisnique, Chavin, and Nazca people depicted spiders in their artworks. Archeologists believe that spiders’ webs are what most likely inspired the nets used for hunting and fishing.
For the Peruvians, the spider represents prosperity, abundance, fertility, and vitality. There are temples over 3,000 years old with spider deities on the walls.
China
In China, the spider is a positive omen. The spider brings happiness during the morning and during the evening the spider brings wealth. The spider is known as ximu.
Islam
In Islamic culture, it is believed that the spider should be respected since they were viewed as a protector. In one legend, the prophet Muhammad was being chased by Quraysh warriors who wanted to kill Muhammad.
They wanted to stop him from preaching. When Muhammad reached Mecca with his father-in-law, Abu Bakr, they hid in a cave they found in Thowr Mountain.
The legend states that Allah commanded a spider to weave a web in order to close off the entrance in the case. They thought that no one would make their way through the web, so they kept moving and were safe.
Japanese
In Japanese culture, there are supernatural entities known as spider yokai. They were able to shapeshift into people. In one legend, Minamoto no Yormisu, the Japanese folk hero, battles a mythical spider known as Tsuchigumo. During the battle, Tsuchigumo shapeshifts into a serving boy who is thought to be administering medicine to Yorimitsu. The medicine was actually spider venom.
Jorōgumo, another spider yokai, was able to shapeshift into a seductive woman who entices them and turns them into her home. She would keep them captive by spinning her silk threads around them.
Mesoamerica
The Great Goddess of Teotihuacan, a celebrated earth goddess by the Mayas and other pre-Columbian societies, was often depicted alongside numerous spiders. The goddess was also known as the Spider Woman of Teotihuacan. It’s believed that she was a fertility goddess but also a goddess of death as a symbol of balance.
Cherokee Indian Tribe
The Cherokee have a tale about how sunlight found its way to the people, which involves spider symbolism. According to Cherokee legend, there was no light on Earth, and the animals and humans struggled to find their way. They lived in fear and uncertainty.
In this tale, it was the Grandmother Spider who took it upon herself to bring light to the world. She wove a magnificent web that eventually reached the heavens where the sun resided.
As she descended, she brought a piece of the sun back to Earth and illuminated the world for the first time. The Cherokee people regard the Grandmother Spider as a reminder of the power of determination and resourcefulness in overcoming challenges and bringing light into one’s life.
African Folklore
In West Africa, Anansi was a spider deity who ruled wisdom and storytelling. He enjoyed causing mischief, and he was cunning. Spider tales, which were part of Anansi culture, are similar to fables since they are cautionary stories.
Ancient Egypt
According to one ancient Egyptian legend, the Egyptian creation goddess Neith created the universe, and she associated it with spiders. She was depicted as the weaver who wove the Universe.
Celtic Mythology
In Celtic mythology, the spider is often associated with the goddess known as the “Spinner” or “Weaver of Fate.” The spider’s intricate web is seen as a symbol of creation, destiny, and interconnectedness in Celtic beliefs.
It represents the weaving of the past, present, and future, emphasizing the cyclical nature of life. Additionally, the spider’s ability to craft its web is a metaphor for the power of creation and the importance of patience and skill in shaping one’s destiny.
Greek Mythology
In Greek mythology, the spider is linked to the story of Arachne, a mortal woman known for her exceptional weaving skills. Arachne challenged the goddess Athena to a weaving contest and although her work was exquisite, it was seen as disrespectful.
Athena then transformed Arachne into a spider, condemning her to weave forever. The spider’s association with weaving and creativity in this context serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of challenging divine authority.
Hinduism and Buddhism
In Hinduism and Buddhism, the spider web is a symbol of how everything in the universe is connected. Known as Indra’s Web, it is in Buddhist and Hindu texts.
Indra was revered as the ruler of the gods. His web is thought to be an infinite cosmic web extending in all directions.