Spider Dream Meaning

The spider dream is associated historically (in my folklore books) with entrapment and dishonesty. It is a bit of a mixed bag, it can indicate both good and bad luck. 

If you kill the spider, this can mean breaking out of feeling trapped. On the positive side, the dream of a spider means that creativity is your weapon to move on in life. Maybe you are starting to feel trapped in your job or a relationship. The second interpretation is feeling that you are stepping away from a situation that has been difficult in the past, and that you have the power and force to mould your behaviour towards others.

Historical & Folklore Meanings of Spider Dreams (Pre-1930s)

• If you are a woman and you dream of a spider, in old folklore this can indicate that you need to be conscious of things and people around you at the moment.
• If you are a man and dream of a spider, it can indicate a female presence in your life.
• To dream of a spider ties into the ancient web of creation - many who dream about spiders are called to look more deeply at the invisible threads linking all living things.
• Seeing a spider in a dream often indicates that you are struggling with a female in waking life - a reminder that you had stressful times in the past and it is now time to move on. Maybe you have been blinkered by a situation or person and thought they were someone they are not.
• A spider crawling in a dream can incite a powerful spiritual force trying to shield you - this dream is about protection.
• Spider webs represent lies and being tangled in a situation (such as a clingy relationship), but this is also a symbol of creativity. The spider has a lot of patience as it weaves its web and waits for its prey - if you dream about a spider, there is a chance you have that spirit of patience in you, and a sign that you will need perseverance in a project.
• The larger the spider, the more significant this is in life.
• To be bitten by a spider indicates a conflict with a mother or mother figure in life.
• In ancient dictionaries, the spider in dreams is a lucky omen.
• To suddenly see a spider appear without warning indicates that you must pay attention to unfolding events around you - try to make the most of them. If you dream of a spider crawling on you or your family, it signifies that you are facing adversity that is affecting your life negatively.
• A dream of a giant spider is the experience of an overwhelming spiritual force coming into your awareness - many dreamers describe this as their turning point on the awakening path.
• To experience the spider biting you is some kind of mystical message - someone trying to inject new wisdom and consciousness into you, whether you are ready or not.
• In one of the most sacred dreams - a spider weaving a web - you are seeing the divine design of the universe and yourself incorporated within it. A spider web surrounding you means you are being held in some higher spiritual plan - nothing in your life right now is happening by accident.

What do spiders mean in a dream?

Many dream books say that if you do the same things over and over again, you will get exactly the same results - this dream can be connected to self-deception. As a spiritual symbol, the spider represents motherhood, especially in dreams. In my view, the image of a spider in a dream is a form of deceit in waking life. You can communicate with the spider by holding it in your mind and asking it questions.

This dream, when the spider appears, is about making a move. You might mess up some stuff, but you are running out of time, and you have to make your time count. The spider is about the fact you need to understand people and get things done - maybe stop feeling like you have to answer the phone if you don't want to, or go to that party you don't really want to.

Is the dream about a spider good or bad?

Good and bad - in my work I see this dream as a spiritual message. Seeing a spider during a dream can trigger our emotions and feelings of anxiety. Spiritually, spider dreams are a warning, normally around a female in your life. If you have been having difficulty with a female, then it is common to see this symbol in your dream.

Spiders belong to a group of animals known as arthropods. In dreams, the spider can denote the following: a web of lies, trust being challenged, something worrying you, and the feeling of being trapped. As spiders build a hard exoskeleton rather than an internal skeleton, and weave webs, this can suggest that you feel entangled in life by something unseen - relating to a job, financial worries, or problems in life.

What does it mean when you dream about spiders?

Did this dream give you the heebie-jeebies? Spiders in dreams are common. From a spiritual perspective, spiders are often connected to possible deceit, or to your emotions currently running high.

Spiders have been on this planet for almost 300 million years, and in total there are around 40,000 species. If you suffer from arachnophobia in real life, then the origins of the dream can be associated with your own fear.

Spiders represent fears in life

To dream of seeing a spider indicates you may have anxieties about life. This is truly a fear-type dream - perhaps you are concerned about a situation in waking life and feeling trapped. Risks are also associated with the meaning of this dream - you have been asked by the spirit to think about the risks that you take in life, so before you jump into a decision, think a lot more carefully.

Spiders in dreams represent being aware of females in your life

Ancient dream meanings suggest that you need to be aware of others, as people who dislike you or your enemies are creating a sinister web of plans around you. This could lead to a certain twist in your life that might result in negative events over which you will have little or no control.

Often, when we're faced with seemingly out-of-control situations or major decisions, the female figures in our lives can have a huge impact on what choices we end up making.

What is the biblical meaning of a spider in a dream?

According to Proverbs 30:28, the spider takes hold of the hands and is found in the king's palaces. The spider is somewhat hardworking from a spiritual perspective, connected to the shadow of our mind. In your life, a spider portrays the vision that God has placed in your hands; many spiritual books denote that a spider allows us to accomplish excellent work. Spiders in the Bible are connected to perseverance, hard work, patience, feminine energy, fate, and a brighter tomorrow.

As a symbol of creativity, the spider is credited for weaving webs, which are a miracle of organic engineering. If you see it as a spiritual guide in your dream, the spider is communicating that you hold an affinity with the ability to create intricate, delicate things or ideas in the real world. In ancient Egypt, the spider was used to represent the Divine Mother Neith, and it is considered a symbol of the creator of the world by some American Indian tribes.

What do spider webs mean in your dream?

Spiders squeeze liquid out to make silk, and can produce either sticky or dry silk. Seeing a spider's web in a dream connects to the feeling that you feel stuck in a situation. As a spider's web is thirty times thinner than hair, it can often represent the fact that you cannot actually see the situation in front of you. Spiders use silk both to make egg sacs and to build webs to capture prey - if you see a spider building its web in your dream, this shows that you are going to craft something in life that will enable you to be content and happy.

A spider weaves several types of web. The orb web - similar in shape to a wheel - seen in a dream indicates that events are likely to happen quickly. A "sheet" web, basically a horizontal web, can indicate that you need to focus on lines of communication in order to survive. The funnel web indicates that you will enter a path and there will be a problem at the end, just as the spider jumps out at the bottom of the funnel to eat its prey. Cobwebs - essentially abandoned spiderwebs - can suggest that you are focused on moving forward in life no matter what, but you may abandon your plans.

What does it mean to kill a spider in a dream?

To kill a spider could mean that you are killing your own protection from something in your life - there are many Christian traditions that identify the web itself as a unit of protection. For example, a spider spun a web at the entrance of a cave in the Bible. If you kill multiple spiders, this dream means that you are likely to encounter some difficult times ahead.

What does it mean to dream of spiders crawling on you?

Spiders use their sense of touch to feel their surroundings, and heavily rely on vibrations that alert them to danger. A spider crawling on you in the dream can usually indicate that there is a hidden vibrational danger in waking life that you should be aware of. If you dream of spiders falling on your head, this can suggest that you are relying on the advice of a close family member. Ancient dream dictionaries denote that seeing spiders crawling on you can also suggest that you are lacking information.

What does it mean to dream of a spider running away from you, or chasing you?

If you dream of a spider running away from you, then you are going to approach your job with careful precision, and it is important to be positive in your work situations. As the spider is a symbol of deceit, the dream could indicate that you are worried someone may be deceitful.

A spider chasing you can mean something more positive: determination. Spiders display tenacity as they build their webs with consistency and precision, never giving up despite obstacles or threats along the way - something anyone can relate to when feeling grateful yet determined despite feeling overwhelmed during hardship.

What does it mean to see a big spider in your dream?

To dream of a big spider is associated with conflict, or with a female who is taking over your life. If the spider is bigger than your "average" house spider, this dream could be related to current anxieties you're facing, such as feeling friend-dumped or facing challenges at work or school. Large spiders often turn up when you're feeling vulnerable or powerless, so seeing one could signify that you feel no control over certain aspects of your life right now.

On a more positive note, spiders can also represent being resourceful and determined in facing obstacles head-on - weaving intricate webs with remarkable speed despite their small size is an impressive feat that requires patience and dedication. Seeing a big spider might mean that although you're dealing with difficult circumstances right now, you'll have the determination to overcome any obstacle through hard work and resilience.

What does it mean to keep a spider as a pet in a dream?

If in your dream the spider is a pet, this indicates that events from the past are likely to close a door. This event within your life - which could be a new job offering new possibilities - will return to your life. You are going to take on a new project that will take over your spare time, and you are happy to do so.

What does it mean to dream of recurring spiders?

To keep dreaming of spiders over and over again can indicate that you are feeling threatened by something, maybe a sense of deceit - this could be from a problem or even a person. Deep down, we often need to confront our own problems, needs, struggles, and weaknesses; it could mean that it's time to confront ourselves about the challenges within.

What does it mean to dream of a jumping spider?

Jumping spiders are the largest family of spiders in the world and are found in almost every habitat, including gardens and homes. In total there are around 5,000 different species, and their colour varies. In dreams, the jumping spider can suggest that you will gain insight into a problem, because it is a great hunter with fantastic eyesight - it can also propel itself up to 40 times its own height. Spiritually, this dream denotes that you will encounter some great times in the future and really get what you can from life. It can also indicate that you are no longer as ambitious as you used to be - are you settling for less?

To see a spider jumping out of a car symbolises adversaries or enemies present in your life, possibly spreading gossip that affects your social life or relationships. For a spider to jump on your face in the dream indicates you need to become more observant and proactive towards anyone who seems to come between you and your success.

What does it mean if the spider bites you in a dream?

Every spider has fangs, though not every species is venomous. To be bitten by a spider in a dream indicates you are feeling threatened by someone in your waking life. If the spider was venomous in the dream, this can indicate you are hungry to prove yourself in life.

What does it mean to have nightmares featuring spiders?

It is a sign that you are being manipulated - or that you are, in fact, the manipulator, or being manipulated by someone close to you. It could also imply that you have concerns about how your future or your plans will shape out. If in the nightmare you see spiders biting you, this is possibly a suggestion that you have emotional wounds, either from your present life or your past.

What does it mean to dream of a poisonous spider?

Seeing a dangerous spider, such as the black widow, Sydney funnel-web, or Brazilian wandering spider - species that carry venom strong enough to kill - can indicate that you will feel paralysed by a difficult situation in life. If the spider bites you and injects venom, it is an indicator that misfortunes are on their way, and you need to be on guard and protect against any negativity lurking in the background.

What does it mean to dream of rescuing a spider?

Dreaming of rescuing a spider represents something within yourself that you need to develop in order to survive - a thicker skin so you don't get hurt by the inevitable trials and tribulations of life, or by other people's words. It may also represent the need to learn how to call out an impostor, or to identify when someone is not treating you fairly.

Helping the spider by trying to trap it under glass can be a reflection of your hidden emotions - the glass reflecting any casual haters, or people who appear to be friends but secretly don't speak well of you. This dream is saying you have self-control, especially if you see yourself letting the spider go.

What does it mean to dream of spiders everywhere, or hanging over your head?

It represents a conflict with one of your female acquaintances - it could even be a female coworker or boss - and is a metaphor for female power, entrapment, and possession. If you see spiders creeping all over the floor, it could suggest that you are feeling worried about your present relationship.

Spiders hanging over your head can be a sign that you are being controlled by a female who is rather controlling and overbearing - it could be a mother, spouse, stepmother, or even a female boss who is always on your case and micromanages you, causing a degree of anxiety or stress.

What does it mean to be trapped in a spider's web in a dream?

If you are the one who is the spider spinning the web, it makes it possible for you to reap what you sow - you could be handling complicated projects with interconnecting pieces. If the web is entangling you, it is an indicator that you are feeling trapped or entangled in a clingy or sticky relationship. If you see your children "caught" in a spider's web during a dream, it signifies that your hard work is about to be rewarded.

What does it mean to be attacked by a spider in a dream?

If you dream that a spider is attacking you, it means that you are under attack from a domineering female figure. If the spider attacks you and perhaps jumps on your face or touches your eyes and nose, it is an indicator that a female figure has overshadowed you and is preventing you from expressing yourself freely.

What does it mean to dream of being eaten by a spider?

Dreaming of being eaten by a spider indicates that you are feeling trapped by material possessions, according to my ancient dream dictionaries. There is a clear divine connection that takes place when it comes to wealth - if you are eaten by a spider, it can often signify that somebody is trying to steal your wealth or destroy you. It's important for you to understand how you create your own creativity and ability to progress in life.

What does it mean to dream of seeing multiple large spiders?

If you see yourself surrounded by a number of large spiders in a dream, or if a large spider is attacking you, it is an indicator that you are thinking about career growth and progression in life. If the spider is huge but harmless, like a wolf spider or huntsman spider, it is a sign that you have powerful friends who are always there for you in times of trouble and misfortune.

What does it mean to dream of a spider in your bed?

If you dream of seeing a spider in or under your bed, it denotes that there might be a female in your waking world trying to control your life. A bed is a symbol of comfort, and seeing a spider invading your bed can mean this is exactly how you're feeling about a situation in the waking world.

What do millions of spiders crawling on you mean in a dream?

Seeing millions of spiders crawling on you in your dream is what Freud described as an "anxiety" dream - related to feeling separated or left alone in life. It is time to rely more on your inner strength and build better relationships in life.

What does it mean to dream of spider eggs and baby spiders?

Baby spiders in a dream speak to your creative instincts - think about how you can project that creativity in life. Spider eggs are woven with silk, forming the basis of protection, so they can symbolise that you feel you need a bit more protection in life, or that there is something holding you back from being able to express yourself. If you see a spider coming out of the egg, it is a good sign, denoting that you are slowly coming out of your cocoon and are ready to express your true opinions and thoughts. A pregnant spider laying eggs in your dream is a sign that someone you are familiar with is going to become pregnant.

What does it mean to dream of a climbing spider, a talking spider, or two spiders?

If in your dream you see an active spider climbing a ceiling or wall, it is a sign that your desire is going to be realised soon. If the spider is descending from the ceiling, it denotes that you are unable to escape from a certain relationship. If the spider talks to you, pay attention to what it is saying, as it might be an important message for you in waking life. If two spiders attack each other in your dream, two of your female acquaintances - normally coworkers or family members - could be having a power struggle. If a nonpoisonous spider tickles your back in a dream, this implies that you should understand life is short, and you need to do whatever you can to enjoy it.

Ancient dream dictionary (spider, pre-1920s): Seeing a spider in a dream means that you have many enemies behind closed doors, and it is time for you to be happy and move on in your life. There may be some ill luck coming your way.

• White spider = healing, hope, and energy.
• Jet black spider = dishonesty, terror, disappointment.
• Red spider = guard, happy, passionate.
• Green spider = calm, sad, time to recover.
• Blue spider = moving on, engagement, content.
• Yellow spider = happy, random events, strangeness.
• Striped spider = things are not what they seem.
• Hairy spider = look under the surface for the result.
• Spots on the spider = stressful times will pass.

In your dream you may have:

• Seen a spider = entrapment, worry, and webs of deceit.
• Been chased by a spider = someone will be dishonest.
• Kept a spider as a pet = you want love in life.
• The spider was extremely big and scary = an anxiety dream.
• Suddenly seen the spider darting across the floor = sudden panic, but things will work out in the end.
• Woken up in your dream with the spider on top of you = problems will soon melt away.
• Seen a spider in your home = problems at home.
• Killed a spider = something ending.
• Seen a dead spider without killing it = an indicator, in old dream lore, that you are positive at the moment, and this will help you overcome a strong feminine temptation in your life.

What does it mean to dream of killing a tarantula?

Tarantulas typically range from around 2cm to 10cm. In dream lore, seeing a tarantula is connected to building a web of protection around you. In spiritual terms, the tarantula is associated with weaving a new start, our own dark side, and encountering a trickster - there is also a number associated with this spider, the number eight, which in numerology indicates our own fears in life. A tarantula in a dream symbolises the dark side of a situation, but also your deepest fears, and your own social image. To kill the tarantula in a dream means overcoming your fears, negative emotions, and the feeling of being trapped inside your darkness.

What does it mean to dream of a spider standing still?

A spider is clever. Moving around takes energy, so we often see spiders staying still for long periods, generally waiting for their prey. In dreams, seeing a spider that does not move can suggest that somebody may deceive you in the future, or that you may be smothered by other people's emotions.

What does killing a giant spider mean in a dream?

To dream about something giant, such as a large spider, signifies a lack of control over your own life and attitude - you may encounter someone with a short temper, and thanks to your own explosive nature, you enter conflicts and bad situations. The giant spider signifies a great force in your life that takes away your ability to choose or speak for what you believe in. However, killing this giant spider in a dream denotes that you will be overwhelmed by emotions once you defeat something you didn't believe you were capable of - trust yourself more. Your dream also represents a great possibility for career progress being lost due to reckless decisions and moves; pay more attention to detail and less to what's obvious.

There is no fear like the fear of feeling innocent - think of this as the fear of a worried child walking in the dark of night. A giant spider often appears in a dream when we are focused on our own successes but quietly fear failure - it is a dream where we need to develop our own internal strength for dealing with a difficult situation, so that wholeness returns to life. The giant spider dream normally occurs when you are feeling terrible and seriously abandoned - it may mean you need to kill the spider within. My advice is to find and uncover the "fear" factor and eliminate the giant spider from your mind.

What do spiders mean in dreams from a psychological perspective?

From a psychological perspective, dreaming of spiders means the dreamer is being manipulated by someone in waking life - or the dreamer might be the one manipulating others. This interpretation comes from the way spiders manipulate their prey into their web. Ask yourself: why am I acting this way? You might find answers related to your fears of being manipulated by other people.

What does it mean to dream of killing multiple spiders?

Killing multiple spiders in your dream signifies the many risks you will take to increase your chances of success. Your career will benefit from risky moves, but your health will suffer if you don't take better care of yourself soon - take a break from your everyday routine and travel somewhere new.

What does it mean to be chased by a spider that kills you?

There's no way a spider can chase and kill you in waking life, so this dream means you fear something that will never happen. Pay extra attention to your thoughts, what you wish for, and what you imagine - you might not believe visualisation has the power to shape your reality, but it does.

What do dreams about catching a spider mean?

If in your dream you caught a spider, or even attempted to catch one running across the floor, this is a projection of your own apprehension about the future - a sign that you feel trapped in a situation and are looking for ways to move forward.

What does it mean to kill a black widow in a dream?

The black widow is one of the deadliest spiders on the planet. Seeing her in your dream symbolises danger, intimidation, feminine power, death, and dominance. Killing a spider in the dream denotes gaining back control in your life; being "bitten" by a black widow indicates that you will gain back dominance in a relationship.

• Positive changes are afoot if: the spider is white or another pure colour; the experience within your dream was positive; you helped someone get away from a spider; you confronted the spider in your dream.
• Negative changes are afoot if: you are scared of the spider and worried it may hurt you; you have been bitten and poisoned by the spider.
• New beginnings are needed in your life if in your dream: you expressed any negativity towards the spider; the situation was not making you feel comfortable; the dream involved you feeling unable to perform.

Feelings that you may have encountered during a dream of seeing a spider

Strange, scared, creepy-crawly, worried, frightened, overwhelmed by spiders scaring you, negative energies, respect for others, emotional, unable to escape the spider, unfulfilled, contentment.