It is no secret that jewelry is bristling with menacing and terrifying symbols. For example, we associate skulls with danger and death. Nevertheless, we boldly carry these images on our rings and pendants. The situation is similar when it comes to dangerous animals. The images of cute cats and dogs are a rather rare phenomenon in the world of jewelry. On the other hand, it is permeated with lions, wolves, and all kinds of snakes. Jewelry paying tribute to spiders isn't of a rare kind either. Many people are paralyzed with fear when they see a tiny arachnid but when it is a spider ring or something like that, everything is fine.
Maybe the secret is that a figure of a spider cast in silver or gold shows us something more than a poisonous creation of nature? After all, our ancestors, although being aware of arachnids, respected them for hard work and the skill it takes to weave webs both magnificent and sturdy. If you, too, learn to see beyond eight paws, a hairy body, and so many little eyes and comprehend the beauty of its nature, a spider talisman will become your personal support and protection from a hostile world.
Without further ado, let's take a look at a good many of the meanings our ancestors gave to spiders.
Positive and Negative Meanings of Spiders in Antiquity
The spider is an ancient symbol of creativity, dexterity, and hard work. The Indian tradition allegorically calls Brahma - the creator of the world - a spider, which weaves the universe from its web. The spider acts as a protector of people, a savior, a guardian of the hearth. At the same time, its meaning is ambiguous - it is also associated with cruelty, greed, and treachery.
The positive meanings of the eight-legged creatures are reflected in ancient myths. Some of them tell about spiders who taught people the art of weaving. According to others, spiders saved David, Jesus Christ, the Prophet Muhammad from ill-wishers. Another motif mentioned in legends is a spider's web that becomes a saving thread. It takes a protagonist out of a dangerous place or helps him climb to the sky and then safely descend.
In the negative meaning, the image of a spider refers to sorcerers. Spiders have been widely used in black and white magic rituals. Amulets and charms featuring spider symbols were supposed to guard their owners against dark, evil powers. Even today, people wear silver spider rings to seek protection against bad luck, whammy, and evil fate.
Significance of Spiders in World Cultures
Today, the spider is an unambiguous symbol of phobias. At the same time, due to its web weaving abilities, the spider personifies the intricacies of life and fate. Since the web diverges from the center and comes from the spider's body, many cultures see it as a cosmic symbol. The web itself becomes the symbol of the sun and the universe, and the spider is the creator of life. Along with that, the complexity of the web its resemblance to a labyrinth spawned another meaning - the Celts identified it with the obstacles a person must overcome throughout their life.
In Ancient Egypt and Greece, the spider's web symbolized destiny, in Hinduism - the cosmic order, while the spider itself was the center of the universe. The Mayans considered the spider a creature "weaving illusions". Australian aborigines worshiped the Great Spider as a solar hero. In some African and North American tribes, the spider was deemed as a trickster.
In Christianity, a spider's web became a symbolic representation of the fragility of human life. At the same time, a sticky web was designated as a devilish trap for those who lose their vigilance. Accordingly, the spider was associated with Satan and evil. Along with that, the spider personified the curmudgeon who sucks its victims dry. The Japanese believe that spider women trap travelers. Japanese mythology also mentions goblin spiders, which were able to change their appearance and shape. Despite all the impartial qualities attributed to spiders, Japanese culture revered them. Killing a spider led to misfortune. In ancient Roman, spider images became talismans that were supposed to bring good luck and prosperity.
Many cultures around the world came up with the concept of the Great Mother, who is a personification of creation, destruction, life, and death. Since a spider creates a web and then kills its helpless victim, it became the visual embodiment of the deity.
As you can see, a spider can both attack and defend, create and wipe out. As a powerful talisman, it will come to the rescue whenever you need it and lend its helpful 'hand'. If you believe in miraculous powers inherent in arachnids, you can rely on a silver spider pendant or ring to look after you. If nothing else, it will help attract attention to your persona because spider symbolism is very much interest-inducing.
