Dreams of Spiders: Dream phenomena and its meaning was always fascinating people. In ancient times many houses kept dream books or there were dream interpreters for these things and today a lot of us believe we can get from dreams important information about specific events in our daily lives. For ages people were making theories in attempt to illuminate the mystery behind the dreams.
Even today scientist still study dreams and searching for the answer to what extent they are linked to our emotions and memories. Many of us wonder if dreams can foretell future events about something significant in our life. Read more: 16 Dreams About Tarantulas
When it comes to spiders, the most striking thing about these bothering insects is their inhumane appearance. What scares and is disgusting to some people, especially women is spider’s anatomy: eight legs and four pairs of eyes. That is one of the reasons why dreams about spiders are symbol for the dark side of our personality called the shadow.
As you know, what spiders are doing their whole life is weaving a web. Creative job, but its purpose is catching and prisoning of others. From our perspective, that behavior isn’t praiseworthy at all, but we have to be aware that these creatures must feed somehow and they can’t grow grain and bake the bread like we do.
Dreams about spiders can symbolize different things depending on how we feel about these insects. These dreams can be either negative or positive. We will explain you in this article the most common meanings of spider dreams and how to interpret these dreams in a right way.
Spiders in ancient mythology and culture
Before we start explaining the most common meanings of dreams about spiders, it would be good to introduce you with spider symbolism in different ancient civilizations. This will be helpful to understand the meaning of these dreams in a right way.
Human history is full of different cultural depictions of spiders that had different meanings to many ancient civilizations. You can find a spider and its web in mythological fables, artistic spiritual depictions, cosmology and in oral traditions throughout the world since ancient times.
The civilization of Ancient Egypt associated the spider with the goddess Neith that was a symbol of spinner and weaver of destiny. This association also appears later in Babylonian Ishtar and Greek Athena that was later equated as the Roman goddess Minerva.
The mythology of Africa personifies the spider as a creation of Anansi, and as a trickster character in African traditional folklore.
These insects are also appearing in Indigenous Australian art, in rock and bark paintings and for the clan totems as well. Spider in web is associated with a sacred rock in central Arhnem Land on Burnungku clan estate of the Rembarrnga/Kyne people.
When it comes to Greco-Roman mythology, spider is related to the arrogant female principle. There was Arachne, a mortal woman and talented weaver who challenged Athena, goddess of wisdom and crafts into a weaving contest. In order to be punished, Arachne was transformed into a spider. The myth is also explanation for the spider’s creation itself. Because of the relation with Arachne, spiders are also called “arachinids”.
What we could notice in our research is that mythology about spiders is usually contradictory in its meaning. That is why you have to make decision whether this insect is female or male figure and whether it has positive or negative meaning.
In “New Introductory Lessons on Pshychoanalysis” Sigmund Freud interprets a spider symbol this way: “… a spider in dreams is a symbol of the mother, but of the phallic mother, of whom we are afraid; so that the fear of spiders expresses dread of mother-incest and horror of the female genitals.”
If you have watched the movie or read a book “The Lord of the Rings” you probably remember Shelob, a fictional giant spider, an “evil thing in spider form”. On the other hand, there is a positive spider symbol in modern culture like Spider-Man.
In cultures that value the spider can mean something aside from manipulation. For example if there is a culture where farming is symbol of life, these insects symbolize prosperity because they eat pests and provide better growing condition. Contrary to that, if the person is afraid of spiders in real life these dreams won’t be welcome, of course.
Cultures that consider a spider as a valuable animal can also find that dreaming about it is a symbol of something aside from manipulation. In cultures where farming is a symbol of life spiders represent prosperity because they eat pests and represent good growing conditions. In case where a person is afraid of spiders this kind of dreams won’t be pleasant at all. If that happens, the dreamer has to charge to come to terms with a fear. A good way to do it is a therapist or hypnosis.
Meaning of spider dreams
Dreams about spiders can mean different things and as we explained before, the meaning will depend on how we feel about spiders. If you are afraid of these creatures, a spider in a dream can mean nay instinctual fear or some person or something that is a threat for you in real life. On the other hand, if you are not afraid of them, you should consider positive meanings of this kind of dreams.
According to studies, both man and women have dreams about spiders. They are typical for people of all the ages including even children. Let’s see what the common meanings of these dreams are.
When analyzing a spider dream it is important to consider all the circumstances that happen in your dream. Circumstances can be different. Some of the most common are about the spider spinning the web or a spider jumping on you. It is also pretty often a dream with spider in your mouth or hair. We recommend you to write down a dream after you wake up in order to make the right analysis and have the right meaning as a result.
Even if these dreams sound disgusting, you shouldn’t worry because in most of the cases these dreams have positive meaning.
A woman
Spiders are often related to aspects of feminine energy so the dreams about them can tell you something about some woman in your life. That is usually a strong, overbearing mother or some other powerful woman.
This kind of dreams can also represent feminine energy within you or an aspect of yourself. It can also mean some other aspects of the feminine archetype.
Future and success
Spider in a dream may also represent your future and success in the following period. It means you will feel happiness, wealth or your social relations will become much better. On the other hand, it can also mean a fear about your future life.
Manipulation
Spider are weaving a web, a trap their whole life so in that context they can be also associated with manipulation.
Depending on the other things happening in a dream the spider can mean that the dreamer is manipulated but also that the dreamer is the manipulator.
The way you can avoid dreams about spiders is to resolve the problems outside of the dreaming world. You should ask yourself where you are manipulated in your life or if you are manipulating others maybe.
If you come to conclusion that you are manipulated think about what you can do to protect yourself. On the other hand if you think you are manipulating some person of your own benefit you should think how to stop with that kind of behavior.
Outsider
Seeing a spider in your dream can also indicate that you are feeling like an outsider in some situation or it is possible you want to keep the distance and stay away from an alluring and tempting situation.
On the other hand, it can also mean you want to keep a distance and stay away from some alluring and tempting situation.
Dead spider
If you see in your dream a dead spider it can mean you have overcome a strong feminine temptation.
Force protecting you from yourself
Spider in your dream can also symbolize a powerful force that protects you against your self-destructive behavior.
Reward for a hard work
If you see a spider spinning a web in your dream that can mean you will be rewarded for your hard work. That reward can be a promotion in your job or recognition for your achievement in some difficult task.
Creativity
Because of their special job of creating intricate webs spiders can also be a symbol of creativity.
Sticky/clingy relationship
In negative context, spider dreams can represent a feeling of being entangled or trapped in a sticky or clingy relationship.
It can symbolize some ensnaring and controlling force. It is a feeling when someone or some situation is sucking the life right out of you.
Spider climbing up and down the wall
Seeing a spider in your dream in this situation means your hidden desires will soon come true. On the other hand, a spider coming down the wall means you are unable to escape from some relationship.
Baby spider
Dreaming about baby spider means a new beginning in your life. This kind of dream is usually related to a new relationship.
Being bitten by a spider
If a spider attacks you, bites you on your hand, neck or face in your dream can mean a conflict with your mother or some other dominant female person in your life.
That kind of dream can be a metaphor for a devouring mother or the feminine power to possess and entrap. Also, the aggressive behavior can also represent the feeling of being offended, insulted or deeply hurt by some person that is a woman in most of the cases. As bite isn’t a common “touch” it means some radical intervention in your life.
Spider bite in a dream can also be a reflection of some emotional wound from your past or in the present. On the other hand, in case you get a real bite from a mosquito during the sleep that can be transformed in this kind of dream so you should bear that on mind.
It can also mean you will break up with your partner because of his/her infidelity.
Eating a spider
In case you have a dream where you are eating a spider or having it in your mouth means you are having control over some situation in your life. It can also be a sign you are not afraid to exert your dominance in a relationship.
Spider with multiple eyes
Spider with multiple eyes in your dream can be a symbol of female intuition.
Spider web
Spider web in a dream can mean dense and complex relationships in which you can easily get trapped. It can also be a reflection of rules and restrictions from real life that limit your freedom.
The spider creating such web can symbolize your mother or father, your boss or some other dominant, important person in your life.
Spider web is also a symbol of different obstacles and traps you encounter in life. If you are removing the webs in a dream it can mean a process of liberation or your desire to get rid of some restrictive connections or feelings.
One more meaning of spider web is weaving together of the different female aspects and persons in your life like daughter, lover, wife, mother and professional woman or weaving the different aspects of yourself in the process of discovering who you are meant to be. It can also mean entanglements in relationships and situations or a web of lies.
Spider crawling on you
In case you feel threatened in a real life it is possible you will have this kind of dream. It is also possible that some people or events are disturbing or irritating you.
The dream of “crawling spider” isn’t such serious as the dream about spider biting you because the interpretation is more gentle than biting. You are bothered or surprised but not seriously harmed.
Spider in your hair
Spider in a hair symbolizes a genuine problem. That is especially a case if you have a long, curly hair and it is hard for you to get rid of the spiders easily. The hair is a very apparent sign of health and state of mind.
If you are losing hair in great amount it can be a sign of serious illness like cancer and in case you have a bad temper you usually don’t pay attention to your hair and overall appearance.
Seeing a spider crawling in your hair can be interpreted as a fear that someone or something is trying to ruin your good mood or appearance.
Spider in your ear
If there is a spider in your ear in your dream it means you should listen to your mother or other important female figure in your life more.
Spider in bed
Bed is representing some very intimate space. It is often to see spiders in the nature but not so in bed. If you see this animal in your bed in a dream it can symbolize a radical violation of privacy.
You are unconscious while you are sleeping and usually unable to defend yourself. That spider is representing someone invaded your privacy.
That can be a person from real life but also your own negative and annoying thoughts or feelings towards someone or something.
Spider eggs
When you see in your dream a spider laying eggs it means increasing number of these creatures. That can symbolize that rising problems and troubles are becoming more intense.
The spider egg represents just a “presage”, the indication of future potential problems. It is like a warning so you have time to do something to stop annoying and unwanted development on things in your life.
Eggs in spider web can also mean you aren’t able to recognize your own potential or maybe you are too shy to express your own opinion and your personality.
Pregnant spider laying eggs in your dream can symbolize a woman you know will be pregnant soon.
Killing a spider
If you kill a spider in your dream means you found the right way to handle problems that this animal reflects. If there is no life-threatening danger in your dream such as a giant tarantula or a jumping and venomous spider or a heavy robotic spider machine rushing on you it is a message you should avoid the violence and look for peaceful solution.
If you just have a desire in your dream to kill the spider it is possible you are repressing or denying something that is threatening to you or your peace of mind.
If this animal looks or feels harmful or threatening to you it can symbolize an aspect of your personality or your life that isn’t aligned with your highest potential or ideals.
On the other hand, if you see a spider that is already dead in your dream, it means you have overcome a temptation of some important female person in your life. Read more : 7 Dreams About Killing Spiders – Meaning & Interpretation
Number 8
Spider with eight legs and body formed of two circular lobes joined at the waist in your dream is a symbol of number eight.
Lies
Dreams about spiders can also mean that someone is spinning tall tales or telling lies to you or about you.
Future
As you know, spiders are symbol of creation because of the way they weave a web from the body of their own self.
That is why we have subconscious association between spiders and the web of life or the way you weave your own destiny.
In that context, dreams about spiders can mean you are paving the foundations for your future or maybe you are having a productive phase in your life and will be rewarded for your efforts.
Time
Spider dreams also represent time so if you observe a spider spinning a web in a dream that can mean that something in your life will take some time to come around.
Fear
Most of the people have a fear of spider so these dreams can be also a reflection of some concern about how your future or something in your life will pan out.
Spider coming to you
If you see a spider coming to you it is possible you will be in panic. It can mean you want to escape from a relationship but that isn’t possible at the moment.
This dream has one more meaning. It can be a signal that you should expect a nice period in your near future.
Falling spider
Falling spider in your dream can be a sign that you will lose some powerful friends.
Spider talking to you
If you see in your dream a spider talking to you, it is important to listen to its words carefully. Those messages are usually very important for your life.
Two spiders fighting
If there are two spiders fighting in your dream, they can symbolize your two close female friends will have some conflicts in the near future.
Owning a spider
If you see yourself in your dream as the owner of a spider and you keep this animal at your home like a pet, it means you are able to face many fears in your life. That is a sign you are ready for new beginning and for new adventures.
Brightness and skillfulness
This is one more positive meaning of spiders in a dream. Spiders have a calm nature shown when they are waiting for the prey in a web. As you know, web is a complex structure demonstrating their intelligence and skills.
In that context seeing a spider in your dream can be a warning that you should be more calmed and patient to get what you want in your life.
Craftiness and cruelty
This negative meaning comes from our fear from spiders because some are dangerous to humans and are classified as hunters maliciously waiting for someone to fall into a trap.
Considering that, spider dream can symbolize an unfair fight where it is possible to fall into a trap and lose your fight against someone or something in your life.
Huge spider
In case there is a huge spider in your dream that isn’t a good sign. It usually means the end of a great wealth period. If that spider bites you, it is a sign you will have many difficulties and pressures on your way to the wealth.
Poisonous spider
Dreams about anything poisonous symbolize a treacherous or deadly force. If you see a poisonous spider in your dream it can be a reflection or something or someone really bad in your real life.
Maybe you are consuming alcohol or drugs or you are trapped in a bad relationship. That can be something financially or mentally dangerous for you as well.
This kind of spider in a dream can also mean that an actual situation may be dangerous for you in both physical and emotional sense.
A Tarantula
This kind of spider in a dream doesn’t have positive meaning. As you know, tarantula is one of the most dangerous types of spiders.
This dream can be a prediction that you will be in some dangerous situation in the future. It means something bad will happen and you will be worried.
What should you ask yourself after a spider dream?
When you are trying to interpret your spider dream it is good to know more about spider legends and beliefs, but the most important thing is your own relation to that creature.
You should also remember that if you are extremely afraid of spiders they can appear in your dream just in order to train your mind and to slowly get used to these insects.
In order to analyze your spider dream in a right way and understand the hidden message you should ask yourself the following questions:
- What are the characteristics or traits that you associate with feminine energy?
- What part of you the spider is representing?
- What person from real life has these traits?
- Where do you see a spider from your dream? What are your associations to that place?
- What is the spider doing in your dream?
- Is the spider really threatening you?
- What are you really afraid of?
- Is the dream related to memories of your ancestors?
- Are you making plans for the future or having concerns about your future holds?
- Are you creative and productive person?
- Do you have a feeling of being trapped, frustrated in your real life?
- Is there some emotional pain or emotional wound from your past?
- Is there a fear or concern in your life?
Tricks to avoid or include a spider in your dream
The answer how to avoid spider in your dream is to fix what the problem is outside of your dream. You will get help by asking yourself the questions above and then resolve that.
On the other hand, if you want to include spiders to your dream, you should look at photos of spiders before bedtime and think about them as you drift to sleep.
Dreams and DNA
For the end we left some interesting information we came up to during our research. These can be useful for any kind of dream whether it is about spiders or something else.
According to nowdays science, memories of our ancestors can be embedded to our DNA. The experience of our ancestors can change our personality bequeathing anxiety or resilience by altering the epigenetic expressions of genes in our brain.
The assumption that memories and learned experiences built up during a lifetime have to be passed on by teaching later generations or through personal experience is presented for a long time.
For example, in case you are dreaming frequently about spiders, the reason for that can be your ancestors having a good or bad experience with these creatures.
Dreams can help us resolve problems. There are many theories about why we are dreaming. According to Sigmund Freud, the purpose of dreams is to fulfill our wishes. This theory is rejected by many modern scientists. There is also a theory that dreams are a side effect of the sleep cycle.
Dream happens during Rapid Eye Movement or REM, sleep. There are several functions of this stage: to rest a part of the brain because some areas are active while others aren’t and to replenish brain chemicals, like neurotransmitters.
There is also opinion of Harvard’s psychologist, Deirdre Barrett that there is a connection between dreams and evolution. According to him, in order to understand the world of dreams all we have to do is to take into account evolution.
Conclusion
In this article we explained the reasons why you can have dreams about spiders and some of the most common with their own meaning. These dreams can have both the positive and negative meaning. They can symbolize some dominant female person, good luck, bad luck, trap and threat, future, unused potential, new beginning, etc.
The meaning of your spider dream mostly depends on the way you are feeling about spiders in real life. Most of people are afraid of these creatures and wouldn’t like to dream about them.
In order to avoid spiders in your dreams you should face with problems in real life and ask yourself questions like if you are being manipulated about someone. It is also good to analyze a relation with your mother or some
There are also people who like to see spiders in their dreams so if you are fan of these insects you should look at spider photos before sleeping in order to see them in your dream. It is very possible you will have spider dreams all night long.
We hope this article was interesting to you and we could help you reach the right meaning of your dream. No matter what dream you have, it is important to remember all the details in order to get the real meaning.
Thank you for taking the time to read this article !