Strong, Not Spooky: Spiritual Interpretations of Seeing a Spider
Spiders — and their webs — are highly symbolic to many.
Published Oct. 21 2024, 4:37 p.m. ET
Not everyone thinks of spiders as creepy, spine-tingling, scary insects. Rather, many people find spiders to be adorable, revering their web-making prowess and other useful skills. Spiders are held in high regard in many cultures, and encounters with them are spiritually significant events.
With the requisite respect for spiders and their environments, avoiding negative interactions with them in nature and finding meaning in witnessing them is much easier.
If you are seeking strength and protection from beyond, you may be more inclined to find chance encounters with spiders especially meaningful. From the views of Indigenous cultures around the world to other important symbolism, here are some important spiritual meanings that spiders hold.
Spiders are strong symbols of fate, destiny, and messages from the universe itself.
The weaver Arachne, who serves as the namesake for arachnids (derived from the Greek myth), is said by Parade to inspire the belief that spiders are interconnected with destiny.
"In many mystical traditions, spiders symbolize destiny, as they are considered weavers of fate," symbolism expert Julia Popescu tells Parade.
Various cultures, per Parade, consider spiders to be symbolic of fate and the universe. Extrapolated, if you see a spider, especially one within its glorious and awe-inspiring web, you may take this as a sign from the universe to take charge of your life, reassurance that you, too, can weave your own fate and trust in your decisions.
The infinite cycle of life is represented by spiders and their legs and eyes.
Numerology is an important study for many, as the significance of different numbers holds immense value. According to Times Now, spiders have eight legs and most spiders have eight eyes; the number eight turned sideways appears like an infinity symbol, which certainly represents the universe's endless cycles of life and opportunities to grow.
If you're feeling down, seeing a spider represents the opportunity to transcend perceived negativities in this life.
Per Times Now, the number eight represents limitless possibilities within one's life, as well as infinite love and energy. As well, the number eight holds significant value in Judaism, according to Chabad.org, which describes the number eight as being beyond the limits of nature. Put together, it's easy to see why the number eight is so significant for those who assign meaning to encounters with spiders, invigorated by a sense of renewal within their own life cycle.
Some religions see spiders as hard working and protective.
According to the Centre of Excellence community college, Christians believe spiders are symbolic of hard work. Those who follow Islamic teachings believe spiders are protective and are a symbol of divine intervention.
Spiders are also symbolic of feminine energy.
Per the Centre of Excellence, spiders are symbolic of feminine energy. As spiritual guide Charlotte Eléa writes, spiders are a "primordial feminine symbol of the weaver and creatrix of the universe," thus their strong symbolic value.
Spiders are symbolic of creative energy.
Spiders are also seen by some as bringers of creative energy. According to Chilean-American writer Lauren David, if you are seeing spiders more frequently, this may be a portent of an influx of creative energy.
"Because the spider is constantly creating new webs, it's also been associated with the lunar symbol of waxing and waning," animal symbolism coach Maggie Wilson tells mindbodygreen, also explaining to the publication that spiders show the limitless nature of creativity.
