Spiders are fascinating creatures that have long been a subject of folklore and superstitions. While some people may appreciate their role as natural pest control agents, others are afraid of them and believe that harm or killing a spider can bring bad luck. In this article, we will explore the belief that killing spiders can result in negative consequences and examine nine spider superstitions from around the world.
1. Origin of Spider Superstitions
Spiders have an interesting origin story when it comes to superstition. Many cultures associate spiders with evil spirits, so the creatures have been associated with witchcraft since their early superstitions. In fact, a spider’s eight legs are said to represent the four elements earth, air, fire and water and four more elements—north, south, east and west.
And of course, spiders are known for their web-building skills. Before the invention of the spider web as a superstition symbol, many cultures believed weaver spiders were humans who passed away. In Roman mythology, Arachane was a skilled weaver who dared to challenge Minerva to a weaving contest. Despite being hailed as the greatest mortal weaver of all time, her finished product did not impress Minerva. As retribution for losing the challenge, Arachne was turned into a spider.
In addition to these tales, cultures have long linked spiders to witchcraft. In the Middle Ages, people believed witches used spiders as messengers, either for good or bad purposes (we get into some specific examples in some of the following sections).
Many of these origin stories are reflected in lesser-known spider superstitions today.
To give you some inspiration on how to use these superstitions in your writing, consider creating content around some of the most interesting origin stories. You may want to talk about the original creators of these lessons and how they reflected on their people at that time.
We’ll dig into specific spider superstitions from around the world later on in this guide.
Comb through popular culture
The creators of these long-standing superstitions likely never predicted that their ideas would last so many years into the future.
But fast forward to today and each one of these age-old beliefs holds much of the same symbolism as when they were first created.
When leveraging superstitions in your content marketing strategy, consider playing off what’s already been established.
For example, if you want to play up a spider approaching a web as a symbol for bad luck, you can spin up a story about how a spider was really just trying to make friends with another character in your story.
This adds an interesting twist to your content. It gives readers something familiar to hold onto while still surprising them with a new plotline or way of thinking about an old idea.
2. Spider Superstitions around the World
But before you call it a wrap on spiders and superstitions, we’ve got some fun things to share with you. Not all things are that negative when it comes to spiders and their place in the supernatural cosmos. Here are some examples where spiders are a superstitious good omen.
3. Spider Webs are Useful
We all know how irritating it can be to walk into an unnoticed spider web. (How do they catch us by surprise every time?) But aside from having sticky strands, spider webs are known as a home essential in folk medicine and traditional remedies. For example: if you cut yourself, placing a clean cobweb over the wound can help stop bleeding quickly.
On the other hand, seeing a spider atop your clean bed sheets could be a sign of weak health or death. This belief varies depending on where you’re from!
4. Money in your Future…?
But here’s one for our American readers, especially those aspiring artists and writers! The Native American Lakota tribe considers the spider to be one of their spiritual ancestors, naming her Iktomi. It is Iktomi that gives the Lakota people the alphabet and teaches them the value of dreams, so that they might be more than just survivalists.
Romanians also believe that money will come your way if you dream about seeing or killing a spider first thing in the morning.
5. Spider Superstitions in Ancient Civilizations
Spiders have always had major significance in indigenous cultures, and ancient civilizations like Egypt, Greece, Rome and China have left behind extensive records on how they each view spiders in their mythologies.
In Egypt for example, spiders are associated with Neith (the goddess of weaving), bringing luck and creativity to mortals. The Greco-Roman tales have Arachne (spider deity who created the first tapestries) but also associate them with ill-omen and bad luck.
China is another hotbed for positive spider myths. Not only does having a spider move into your home bring fortune your way, but spiders were also seen as belonging to royalty due to their pursuit of balance and harmony within creation.
6. Halloween
For Halloween enthusiasts, you might already be familiar with the superstition that a black cat crossing your path is bad news; but do you know about the other Halloween-related superstitions? While we will be exploring this topic further down, we need to mention here that during Samhain (what modern day Halloween was born from), it is said that seeing a spider meant that your loved ones are watching over you.
3. Killing a Spider: Bad Luck or Good Luck?
Now that you know why killing a spider isn’t a good idea, what happens if you do? Is it bad luck to kill a spider? Here’s what superstitions say.
Is It Good Luck to Kill a Spider?
We like to think of ourselves as rational, but most people still opt for a cup and paper over rolling up a magazine when it comes to spider removal. It doesn’t make sense to kill a spider, given that they are beneficial in their natural environment.
Despite this, the sight of a spider can be unsettling, so we understand why some people want them dead. Plus, pest control is a major concern in our homes. But consider this: spiders feed on pests, so keeping them around is more beneficial than introducing toxic chemicals.
According to superstition, killing a spider is bad luck. The origin of this superstition is tough to trace, but most cultures share similar beliefs about spiders. Each one is based on the premise that spiders are good luck, and killing one brings bad luck.
Why Is it Bad Luck to Kill a Spider?
There are many spider superstitions that link killing a spider with bad luck. Here are some:
- The ghost of the deceased is said to inhabit the body of the dead spider. The person who killed it may fall prey to the angry ghost or their family might suffer misfortune.
- A variation of this superstition says the spirit of the dead spider will haunt you for 24 hours if you kill it.
- A dead spider brings bad luck in general but it particularly affects your love life and work life.
What Does it Mean When You Kill a Black Widow?
Black widow myths and legends have developed because these spiders are venomous. It makes sense that many people find them frightening. The black widow is actually not as dangerous as its reputation suggests. While its bites can be painful and cause symptoms like nausea and muscle cramps, they won’t kill you.
Killing a black widow is believed to be good luck in some cultures, but we recommend leaving pest control to professional exterminators. Black widows are venomous – even though their bites rarely result in death – and pose a danger to your family or pets. A professional can remove them safely without bringing any bad luck on your family.
4. Spider Superstitions in Different Cultures
Many people throughout history have viewed spiders as omens or symbols. Throughout different cultures, you can find various stories and superstitions about spiders. Here are some interesting spider superstitions in a variety of cultures.
Korea
In Korea, spiders and their webs are considered harbingers of financial success. People who see a spider on their clothing or body find good luck in the form of money. Korean cultures also view spiders as a sign of good fortune and wealth.
Hawaii
In Hawaii, there is an ancient legend about how the first spider came to the islands. The story goes like this: Hina was a woman who lived in the sky and became known as the Great Mother Spider. She made a deal with Maui, a fisherman, to weave the webs of life for her children’s protection. In return, she gave Maui immortality.
Spider webs are still used in Hawaiian culture today to keep away evil spirits. Hawaiians also use web-themed art within their homes for protection from evil.
Australia
In Australia, Aboriginal communities share the Legend of the Spider’s Web. According to this legend, there was once a spirit spider who taught humans how to create intricate patterns in their art. These patterns transferred the spider’s knowledge to humans, and they incorporated it into their boomerang art.
Spider-web designs are now found on many Aboriginal artifacts in Australia. They serve as a symbol of creativity and cultural preservation.
Scotland
In Scotland, it was believed that spiders had magical powers. They considered spiders to be harbingers of good luck and good fortune. However, if you killed a spider at any point throughout the year, you would cause terrible misfortune for yourself. Because of these beliefs, killing spiders was never allowed in Scottish households.
Romania
Romanians have many superstitions associated with spiders and webs. If you see a spider web and there’s no spider present, it’s considered bad luck until another spider enters the picture.
If you accidentally walk into a spider web outdoors, however, you should consider it good luck. Romanians believe that people who walk into outdoor webs will soon come into money.
5. The Symbolism of Spiders
Even though some people have a bad attitude toward spiders, they are often considered to have spiritual or symbolic meaning in various cultures around the world. Spiders are so prominent within human cultures that the word arachnid, the taxonomic class to which spiders belong, comes from the Greek word arachnē, which means “spider.” Here is a brief overview of the symbolism of spiders:
They Are Associated with Strong Energies
For various reasons, spiders are often connected with attributes such as strength and creativity. Some people believe that seeing a spider near the beginning of an endeavor means it will be successful. Others look to spiders’ ability to rebuild their webs after they are destroyed and see them as a symbol of resilience.
They Are Connected with Wisdom
Depending on where you live, you may be less likely to mind seeing a spider in your house if you subscribe to beliefs that associate them with wisdom. One version of this stereotype is that spiders sit in the corners of rooms because they are contemplative or thoughtful.
Symbols of Creation and Imagination
Throughout human history, many cultures have seen spiders as symbols of creation or imagination. This association is especially strong in African cultures.
The Ashanti people in Ghana have stories that depict Anansi, a spider god, as both helpful and mischievous. These stories are often told to teach moral or practical lessons. Similarly, the Akan people in Ghana believe that the phrase “Ākanfo Adinkra” originated from Anansi’s actions. Ākanfo Adinkra translates to “wise Akan people,” and the phrase is often used on textiles or woven into mats.
Luck and Wealth Symbols
Many cultures around the world have spider superstitions that revolve around good fortune or wealth. One example is a Japanese tradition that tells people to whisper “kumo kumo ni shiroi koto,” which translates to “something white on the spider,” if they see a spider and recite it 10 times for good luck.
A slightly more complicated superstition from some Native American tribes in Arizona says that if you catch a spider, put it outside and say “Please forgive me” three times you will receive money. However, this will only work if you do it after sundown on Friday.
6. Spider Superstitions and Folklore
Some spider superstitions are far less grim and more cultural than others. Here are a few of the most interesting:
Good Luck
In Italy, a spider dropping from the ceiling is a symbol of good luck to come. On the other hand, should you kill this lucky spider, you’re in for a heap of bad luck. This belief is common throughout Europe, with many spinning off from Italy’s original superstition.
Bad Luck
Spiders are often seen as the harbingers of death, not just in the form of their venomous bites. In some cultures–especially English lore–a spider’s web is representative of the entangling forces of fate. If you find a spider crawling on your shoulder or in your clothes, it’s time to call your insurance agent for a quote.
To further instill the fear of spiders, consider this: in some parts of England it is believed that any type of spider entering a home is a harbinger of death. While no one can pinpoint where this particular superstition stems from, it has been woven into small village tales for centuries.
If you find one crawling while wearing a new silk dress or shirt, prepare for an ill-fated love affair. It’s said that spiders are drawn to silk clothing and will weave their own webs around it, trapping both prey and the person wearing the garment.
Weather Prediction
People across many cultures have long believed spiders can predict the weather. Find a spider web glistening with dew early in the morning? It’s going to be a beautiful day. A spider web with rain on the way dries up quickly and is very flat–whereas on a sunny day, it will be round and very full.
Entangled Fate
In English folklore, it is not wise to disturb a spider web if you want to achieve your goals. The web acts as a sort of meter that fuels your future success, letting you know if you have enough positive vibes coming your way. If you should destroy this web, you destroy your chance at happiness and are doomed to fail (or be devoured by a much larger spider). We hope this one isn’t true!
7. Common Myths about Spiders
When it comes to myths surrounding spider behavior, it’s best to stick to the facts. Below, we’ve collected some of the most common spider myths that have been debunked.
Spiders Can Lay Eggs Beneath Your Skin
There are many stories of spiders laying eggs within a person’s skin, but this has never been proven. The myth likely stems from the fact that female wolf spiders carry their young on their backs, and some species of wasps lay their eggs inside spiders after stinging them. This causes the spider to drag the wasp larvae around until it bursts from the spider’s body.
You Swallow Spiders While You Sleep
Despite what you may have heard, it’s not possible for a spider to crawl into your mouth while you sleep. This myth is frequently used as an example of how myths can spread rapidly and without question.
All Spiders Produce Webs
While most spiders spin silk, not all of them use it to create webs. For example, wolf and jumping spiders do not produce silk at all. Instead, they use their silk for egg sacs and to build shelters.
Spiders are Attracted to Dirty Houses
Spiders can be found in both dirty and clean homes. What actually attracts them is food. It’s likely that dirty homes simply attract pests that spiders feed on.
All Spiders Live for a Year
Most house spiders live for closer to two years. This myth may stem from the fact that many species of web-spinning spiders die after they mate.
All Spiders Are Poisonous
While all spiders are venomous, the vast majority of them are not harmful to humans. There are only two species that are considered dangerous: the black widow and brown recluse.
You Can Make Spider Bite Stings Worse by Peeling Off the Scab
This myth claims that leaving a scab from a spider bite on your skin will result in worse scarring than if you were to remove it. The truth is that you don’t need to do anything to a spider bite once you’ve cleaned it. You should leave the scab on until it falls off on its own in order to reduce the risk of infection.
8. Ways to Deal with Spiders without Killing Them
Spiders may provide a big service by keeping other pests out of your house, which is why it’s best to let them live whenever possible.
With that in mind, we spoke with pest control experts to come up with a list of the best ways to deal with spiders without killing them.
Avoid Killing the Spider Whenever Possible
When you see a spider in your house, it’s not always necessary to kill or remove it right away.
According to Chris Christensen, owner and founder of Amicus Environmental in Chicago, the best way to deal with spiders in your house is to simply leave them alone.
“If they are not posing a physical threat or physical harm, doing absolutely nothing about that is your best action,” Christensen explains.
Close Your Windows and Doors
If you see a spider inside your home, Christensen recommends checking to make sure that your windows and doors are sealed up properly, and that there aren’t any cracks or gaps in the foundation.
“[Spiders] are coming inside for a reason,” he explains. “If your home offers food, water and shelter conditions for spiders, you will have spiders.”
Place the Spider Outside
If you come across a spider living somewhere where it might be dangerous to have them long-term- like a window sill or door frame- try moving it somewhere safer outside your home.
You can use something like an empty food container or small box to help carefully transport the spider somewhere else. If you aren’t comfortable getting close to the spider, pest control experts recommend using a piece of paper or cardboard to help coax the spider into the container.
Avoid Using Pesticides on Spiders
If you don’t want to use natural remedies for spider control, you may be tempted to spray insecticides meant for other bugs on them instead.
According to pest control experts though, even insecticides marketed as being safe for spiders can still do more harm than good. Both Christensen and Michelle Niederland, owner of MN Wildlife Services in Princeton, recommend avoiding pesticides on spiders whenever possible.
“Just because it says ‘safe for spiders’ doesn’t mean that it’s actually safe,” Niederland explains. “The residual pesticides can still harm the [spider’s] body.”
Use Deterrents Like Peppermint Oil or Vinegar
If you aren’t too keen on having spiders living long-term in your home, you can try using natural deterrents spray around common entry points like windows and doors.
Natural ingredients like peppermint oil and vinegar are both popular for keeping away spiders. According to Niederland, you can also spray diluted essential oils meant for things like bugs and insects at entry points as well.
In conclusion, the belief that killing spiders brings bad luck is deeply rooted in various cultures and superstitions. Whether you choose to believe in these beliefs or not, spiders continue to be a source of fear, intrigue, and wonder. So the next time you come across a spider, think twice before squashing it!
