The creepy, crawly nature of spiders can give you the heebie-jeebies in real life, but what does it mean when they show up in your dreams? Dreaming of spiders often symbolizes what’s going on in your waking life, whether you feel anxious and stressed or creative and lucky. In this article, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about what it means to dream about spiders and spider webs, including common meanings, specific scenarios, and dreaming of different types of spiders. Plus, learn how to interpret and stop recurring spider dreams.
Spider Dream Meaning
Dreaming of spiders often symbolizes fear and anxiety in your waking life. You may feel trapped or stressed by a situation, and the dream may be your subconscious mind's way of expressing those feelings. Spider dreams can also be positive, however, as they may represent creativity, spiritual protection, or good luck.
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Possible Meanings of a Spider Dream
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Dreaming of spiders may indicate you’re anxious or stressed. Real-life worries can manifest as spiders in your dreams. If spiders give you the creeps when you’re awake, they probably frighten you in your dreams, too. Some researchers believe dreaming helps the brain process difficult emotions. [1] X Research source Therefore, being a symbol of fear for many people, spiders may enter your dreams as an embodiment of anxiety.
- Responding to This Dream Meaning: Write down all the things that are making you anxious or stressed. Then, make a plan to tackle the things you can control.
- For example, if you’re worried about an upcoming trip, make a list of everything you need to pack and map out your daily agenda so you feel more prepared.
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Spiders may symbolize creativity and wisdom. In mythologies around the world, like the Greek myth of Arachne, spiders have been associated with creative jobs like weaving, basket making, and sewing. If your dream is positive, it may mean you’re feeling particularly creative or that you should invest your energy into your creative interests. [2] X Research source
- Responding to This Dream Meaning: If you’ve been considering taking up a creative hobby, like painting, music, or writing, now may be the time to take that leap.
- In Greek mythology, Arachne was a skilled weaver whom the goddess Athena turned into a spider because Arachne beat her in a weaving contest.
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Spiders can symbolize manipulation and lying. The presence of bugs in dreams can literally mean “something’s bugging you,” especially if bugs creep you out in real life. Because spiders are generally associated with lies and deceit—think of the phrase “a web of lies”—you may dream about spiders when you feel misguided or deceived. [3] X Research source
- Responding to This Dream Meaning: Take time to reflect on your dream by thinking of context. For example, maybe a friend recently told you they weren’t free to hang out even though you have a hunch they were. You may dream of a spider crawling on or near this friend because of your suspicion.
- In this example, talking to your friend about your suspicions can help you dream peacefully, as confronting the lie can ease the subconscious feeling of being caught in a web of lies.
- Dishonesty doesn’t have to come from a friend or family member. You might be dreaming about spiders because you’ve been dishonest with yourself.
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Dreaming of spiders may mean you’re spiritually protected. With eight legs, spiders mirror the world’s energy and life cycle, making them symbols of a higher power. Seeing a spider may suggest that your destiny is being woven and your spirit is protected. [4] X Research source
- Responding to This Dream Meaning: Say a prayer or do a chant before you fall asleep to invite positive renewing energy into your dreams.
- In Chinese culture, a spider appearing in a dream is sometimes seen as a divine visitation from the creator.
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Spiders can represent mother figures or feminine energy. Psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud associated spiders with protective or angry mother figures or a fear of one’s own femininity. If you have a complicated relationship with your mother or recently had a negative interaction with her, there’s a chance the spider in your dreams could symbolize that relationship or your mother herself. [5] X Research source
- Freud may have associated spiders with angry mothers because spiders prey on smaller insects, which could represent children.
Different Spider Dreams & Their Meanings
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Spider crawling on you According to psychoanalyst Carl Jung, spiders crawling on you in a dream can represent your shadow self, or the darker, unknown side of your unconscious. This dream scenario could indicate that you’re afraid of the unknown parts of yourself or that you’re facing some adversity that’s negatively affecting your life. [6] X Research source
- Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst Carl Jung theorized that personalities are divided into the persona and the shadow. The persona represents the person at the forefront of our personalities, otherwise known as consciousness. The shadow represents the darker, unknown parts of our unconscious.
- Jung believed we could not move forward in life without encountering and acknowledging our shadows.
- It’s perfectly normal to fear things, especially when it comes to the unknown. What’s important is acknowledging these fears as they are. They do not define you, and you can overcome them .
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Killing a spider If you kill a spider in your dream, it can symbolize facing your fears . One dream theory suggests that we dream about upsetting and frightening situations to practice our fight-or-flight instincts. A spider can symbolize an obstacle in your life—a disloyal partner, upcoming test, etc. When given the opportunity to kill the spider in your dream, your fight or flight response is challenged, and it often signifies that you’re ready to face your problems in real life. [7] X Research source
- It takes very little effort to kill a spider in real life. Yes, it may jump or scurry away, but you can catch it. Think of how this represents your daily fears. You can conquer whatever you set your mind to if you just take that first step toward the fight.
- If you kill multiple spiders in your dream, it may mean you have such an extreme need for security and protection that you’re isolating yourself from others. Remember, it’s okay to be vulnerable, and others can often offer you the support you’re searching for.
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Spider biting you Spiders are often known for their venomous bites, and dreaming of being bitten might mean you’ve felt the “sting” of betrayal. You may have recently been criticized or betrayed by someone close to you, like a friend, relative, or coworker, or you’re having difficulty trusting someone because you’re afraid they’re going to hurt you. [8] X Research source
- If you feel betrayed, try surrounding yourself with people who care about you. Lean on them as you heal rather than isolating yourself.
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Multiple spiders surrounding you If spiders surround you in your dream, you’re likely afraid of something. Maybe you have a big test coming up or are worried about the future. Either way, something is scaring you. [9] X Research source Your mind uses your dreams to practice problem-solving, so this may be your brain's way of facing your fears.
- This can also be true if you dream of one large spider. Large spiders or multiple spiders often mean you’re feeling overwhelmed by anxiety or problems in your life.
- Make a list of all the things you're proud of. These can be as big or small victories as you like. Then, if you wake from a dream or nightmare full of spiders, pull out your list. The list will help you remember that you are capable of so many great things. Your fears don’t have to hold you back.
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Spider crossing your path A spider scurrying across your path in your dream could be good luck. Spiders aren’t always a bad omen. In many religions and cultures, these crawling creatures represent luck and good fortune. If you encounter a spider web or spider in your dream, it may mean your wishes will be granted or that new opportunities and rewards are coming your way. [10] X Research source
- Consider what’s going on in your life. Are you expecting a promotion? Have you been working really hard towards a goal?
- A spider or spider web could symbolize that everything will work in your favor, so keep your head up and keep at it!
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Catching a spider Dreaming about catching a spider and/or releasing it outside is often a positive sign. In this case, spiders may represent worries and concerns, and by catching them, your subconscious is telling you you’re capable of facing and overcoming them.
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Friendly spiders If the spiders are especially friendly in your dream, it could signify wisdom, growth, or transformation. Because of their ability to build and rebuild intricate webs, spiders have long been associated with transformation and rebirth. If you dream of friendly spiders when starting a new path (like a new job or new relationship), the spiders may be a symbol of guidance and protection. [11] X Research source
Expert Q&A
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QuestionWhat can I do to remember my dreams?Alex Dimitriu, MD is the Owner of Menlo Park Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine, a clinic based in the San Francisco Bay Area with expertise in psychiatry, sleep, and transformational therapy. Alex earned his Doctor of Medicine from Stony Brook University in 2005 and graduated from the Stanford University School of Medicine's Sleep Medicine Residency Program in 2010. Professionally, Alex has dual board certification in psychiatry and sleep medicine.You could try waking up during your dream. Researchers have found that people who wake up during a dream remember it better. As another option, you could try lucid dreaming, which is when you're asleep but awake enough to be aware of your dreams.
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Tips
- Interpreting your dreams takes a bit of soul searching, but that’s why you are the only person who can truly interpret them. Dig deep and ask yourself the hard questions. Your dreams may tell you more about yourself than you realize.Thanks
- The way you interpret your dream may also depend on your culture. Some cultures see spiders as a symbol of good luck, while others see them as omens.Thanks
References
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/sleep/understanding-dreams
- ↑ https://sites.psu.edu/aed590f21/agbeze/
- ↑ https://dreaminterpretation.info/what-does-it-mean-to-dream-about-spiders/
- ↑ https://druidry.org/resources/spiders-as-spiritual-guides
- ↑ https://pep-web.org/search/document/IJP.004.0313A
- ↑ https://www.thesap.org.uk/articles-on-jungian-psychology-2/about-analysis-and-therapy/the-shadow/
- ↑ https://www.alittlesparkofjoy.com/dreaming-of-spiders/
- ↑ https://www.psychologistworld.com/dreams/dictionary/spider
- ↑ https://dreaminterpretation.info/what-does-it-mean-to-dream-about-spiders/
- ↑ https://www.sunsigns.com/dreams/spiders-and-snakes-dream-interpretation
- ↑ https://www.astrology.com/spiritual-meaning-animals/spider
- ↑ https://tucsonspiritualdirection.org/spiritual-meaning/tarantula
- ↑ https://mindberg.org/insights/black-widow-spider-dream-meaning/
- ↑ https://tucsonspiritualdirection.org/spiritual-meaning/brown-spider
- ↑ https://www.astrology.com/spiritual-meaning-animals/white-spider
- ↑ https://www.astrology.com/spiritual-meaning-animals/spider
- ↑ https://mindberg.org/insights/giant-spiders-dream-meaning-interpretation-and-symbolism/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4553613/
- ↑ https://www.dreamsguideme.com/spider-web-dream-meaning/
- ↑ https://dreamstudies.org/how-to-keep-a-dream-journal/
- ↑ https://psychcentral.com/lib/dream-analysis-and-interpretation
- ↑ https://psychcentral.com/lib/dream-analysis-and-interpretation
- ↑ https://psychcentral.com/lib/dream-analysis-and-interpretation#what-dreams-tell-you-about-mental-health
- ↑ https://www.sleepfoundation.org/dreams/dream-interpretation/recurring-dreams
- ↑ https://health.cornell.edu/resources/health-topics/stress-management
- ↑ https://psychcentral.com/lib/ways-to-shut-off-your-brain-before-bedtime#help-me-sleep-now
- ↑ https://psychcentral.com/lib/relaxation-exercises-and-techniques#for-everyday-relief
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2919672/