What Are the Spiritual and Symbolic Meanings of Spiders?

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Your guide to interpreting spider sightings and dreams about spiders

Co-authored by Annabelle Reyes Reviewed by Jason Zuk

Last Updated: July 20, 2025 Fact Checked

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Spiritual and Symbolic Meanings

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If a Spider Crosses Your Path

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If You Keep Seeing Spiders

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Dreams about Spiders

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Cultural and Mythological Associations

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FAQs

You may be spooked when you come across a spider in your home or in a dream, but did you know that spider encounters can have deep symbolic meanings? Spiders are significant symbols in many cultures, spiritual traditions, and myths, and many people believe that they can reveal important messages about your life. If you’re interested in learning more about the spiritual meaning of spiders, look no further! We’ll go over their symbolism, what your spider encounters may mean, and what it means to dream about one. We’ll also go over various myths and legends associated with spiders, so keep reading!

What does a spider symbolize?

Spiders symbolize destiny, fate, cycles of creation and destruction, and feminine power. Due to their web-weaving, they’re also associated with creativity, illusion, deception, and the interconnectedness of all things.

Section 1 of 6:

Spiritual and Symbolic Meanings of Spiders

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Spiders are known for weaving intricately designed webs. As a result, they’re often associated with the idea of creating your own destiny, or weaving together the threads of fate to make the life you want for yourself.^{[1]
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Research source} On the other hand, they can also represent the idea that your destiny is already decided for you, but you’re on the right path toward it.
Spider webs trap insects so that they can become food for the spider, but they aren't just sites of death. Webs are also where spiders place their eggs to keep them safe until they’re ready to hatch, so they’re associated with new life. Spiders also continuously tear down their webs and reconstruct them to keep them as strong and effective as possible.^{[2]
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Research source} Because of this, spiders and webs are associated with transformation and the cycle of creation, destruction, and rebirth.^{[3]
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Female spiders are often significantly larger than males, and they’re known for destroying males of their own species, and one of the most common terms for a femme fatale-type character is a “black widow.”^{[4]
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Research source} With all this in mind, it’s no surprise that spiders are associated with femininity, divine feminine power, and the fierceness of mothers.
Spiders weave together countless silken threads to create one beautiful web.^{[5]
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Research source} As a result, spiders are thought to symbolize the interconnectedness of all things. They represent the importance of community and existing in oneness and balance with the people around you.^{[6]
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Because spiders work tirelessly and meticulously to weave their webs, they’re often associated with patience and diligence.^{[7]
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Research source} They serve as a reminder that consistency, persistence, and hard work are necessary to achieve your goals.
A spider’s web isn’t just an effective trap for prey—it’s also a gorgeous work of art in its own right.^{[8]
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Research source} The silk threads have a glowing, iridescent look to them, and they’re woven together in intricately beautiful patterns. Because of this, spiders are thought to represent imagination, creativity, and artistic expression.^{[9]
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Illusion and deception When someone is being dishonest, it could be said that they’re spinning a “web of lies” or weaving a “web of deception.” These common phrases are references to a spider’s web, with the individual threads representing the countless lies someone is telling. With this in mind, it’s no surprise that spiders are sometimes seen as symbols of illusion and deception.^{[10]
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- Spiders also set sneaky traps for their prey and then lay in wait, which adds to their association with duplicitousness and cunning.^{[11]
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A spider’s web may be beautiful and impressive, but it’s also a terrifying trap that ensnares prey and makes escape impossible. As a result, spiders can also symbolize the feeling of being trapped or stuck in a situation in your life that doesn’t serve you.^{[12]
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Section 2 of 6:

What does it mean when a spider crosses your path?

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Because spiders are often associated with fate and destiny, it’s usually considered a positive omen if one walks in front of you. This spider encounter could be a sign that you’re on the right path and moving toward your true purpose.^{[13]
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Section 3 of 6:

What does it mean if you keep seeing spiders?

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If you keep seeing spiders, the universe may have a message for you. The specific message can vary depending on your situation, so you’ll need to tap into your intuition and think about your unique circumstances to determine what it is. For example:
- If you’re going through a difficult change or transition, the appearance of spiders could be a reminder that these cycles are natural. If you hold on and stay strong, you’ll inevitably reach a period of rebirth and renewal.
- If you consider yourself an artist and you keep seeing spiders creating webs, it could be a sign to lean into your creative energy and focus on honing your artistic craft.
- If you’ve been suspicious of someone in your life lately and you keep seeing spiders when you’re hanging out with them, it could be a sign that they’re being deceptive or weaving a web of lies.
- If you’ve been feeling unproductive lately and you keep seeing spiders weaving their webs, the universe may be encouraging you to buckle down and work diligently to achieve your goals.

Section 4 of 6:

What does it mean to dream about spiders?

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Dreams about spiders can have several different interpretations. There’s no scientific evidence that spider dreams have definitive meanings. However, many people do believe that they have symbolic significance.^{[14]
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Research source} Possible interpretations of spider dreams usually depend on how you felt in the dream, and what the spider was doing. For example:
- If you dream of a spider web, it may be a sign that you’re stuck or trapped in some way in your waking life. Unhealthy behaviors or attitudes may be keeping you from moving forward, and you’ll need to let go of these things in order to reach your full potential.^{[15]
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- If you dream of a spider biting you, you may feel betrayed by someone you trusted and never suspected of deception or dishonesty.^{[16]
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- If you dream of a spider crawling up a wall, it could be a sign that you’re progressing steadily toward your goal. The universe may be encouraging you to remain patient and continue working diligently.^{[17]
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- If your dream includes tons of spiders, this could mean that you’re dealing with underlying anxiety or stress in your waking life that you weren’t aware of yet.^{[18]
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Section 5 of 6:

Cultural and Mythological Meanings of Spiders

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For example, in some Southwestern tribes, spider goddesses represented wisdom and heroically lent their aid to people in need. For the Osage, spiders served as a symbol of endurance and patience, and the Ojibwe associated spiderwebs with dream catchers, which were believed to filter out bad dreams when people slept.^{[19]
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In West African and Caribbean folklore, spiders were associated with Anansi. Anansi was a mythological figure whose natural form was a spider. He was associated with wisdom, cunning, and intelligence, and he could also be a trickster (meaning that he taught moral lessons, ethics, or social values by leading a person through puzzles or twists and turns of fate).^{[20]
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- In the present day, Anansi is often seen as an empowering figure of Black resistance and freedom.
According to legend, Arachne was a renowned weaver who challenged the goddess Athena to a weaving competition. She ended up embarrassing and offending Athena in the competition, and Athena responded by turning Arachne into a spider. She also cursed Arachne and her descendants to weave webs for the rest of their lives. In this way, the first spider (also called an arachnid) came into the world.^{[21]
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As a result, they were associated with the goddess Arianrhod, a fertility goddess who also ruled over the art of weaving. Spiders were also seen as benevolent and helpful in Celtic culture, so it was considered bad luck to kill one.^{[22]
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Section 6 of 6:

FAQs about Spiders

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Yes, spiders are considered good omens in many cultures and spiritual traditions. If you see a spider in real life or in a dream, the encounter could have several positive symbolic meanings. These include protection, creativity, and assurance that you’re on the right path.^{[23]
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Spider webs have both positive and negative symbolic meanings. On the positive side, spider webs symbolize creativity, artistry, interconnectedness, balance, and patience. On the negative side, spider webs are associated with deception, dishonesty, and feeling trapped or stuck.^{[24]
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Do different types of spiders have different symbolic meanings? Spiders tend to share the same general meanings, but there are a few spiders that have spiritual and symbolic associations of their own. These include:
- Tarantulas: Represent fearlessness, courage, heightened intuition, and sensitivity.^{[25]
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- Brown recluses: Brown spiders in general are associated with groundedness, security, and stability. They can be reminders to focus your energy on things like your relationships, health, and finances.^{[26]
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- Black widows: Associated with feminine power, protection, and femme fatale energy.^{[27]
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  Research source} Black spiders in general are also associated with shadow work, confronting your fears, and transforming negative experience into growth and wisdom.^{[28]
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- White spiders: Represent inner wisdom and grace. They’re often seen as spiritual guides who encourage you to trust your intuition and protect you through challenging situations.^{[29]
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