Cultural depictions of spiders
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"Giant spider" redirects here. For the cryptozoological spider of Africa, see Jba Fofi.
Pre-Columbian spider image from a conch shell gorget at the Great Mound at Spiro, Oklahoma
Throughout history, there have been many cultural depictions of spiders in popular culture, mythology and in symbolism. From Greek mythology to African folklore, the spider has been used in human culture to represent many varied things, and endures into the present day with characters such as Shelob from The Lord of the Rings and Spider-Man from the eponymous comic series. The spider has symbolized patience and persistence due to its hunting technique of setting webs and waiting for its prey to become ensnared. It is also a symbol of mischief and malice for its toxic venom and the slow death it causes, which is often seen as a curse.[1] In addition, the spider has inspired creations from an ancient geoglyph to a modern steam-punk spectacle.
Although not all spiders spin webs to hunt prey, numerous cultures attribute this ability with the origin of spinning, textile weaving, basketry, knotwork and net making. Web-spinning has also associated the spider with creation myths because they seemingly can secrete their own artistic worlds.[2] Spiders have been the focus of fears, stories and mythologies of various cultures for centuries.[3] Philosophers often use the spider's web as a metaphor or analogy; and today, terms such as the Internet or World Wide Web evoke the inter-connectivity of a spider web.[4]
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_depictions_of_spiders
The symbolic spider that wove its way through history
The spider is an ancient and powerful symbol found round the globe, and have always elicited a wide range of emotions in people: fear, disgust, panic, and sometimes curiosity and appreciation. This broad spectrum of impressions has influenced origin myths, legends, art, literature, music, architecture, and technology throughout history.
Certainly an enigmatic symbol, the spider has different meanings and purposes according to different cultures. Arachnids and their webs embody many traits and interpretations, including resourcefulness, creation and destruction, cunning, deception, intrigue, the feminine, wisdom, fortune, patience, and death.
Read more: http://www.ancient-origins.net/myths-legends/symbolic-spider-wove-its-way-through-history-002215#ixzz3iQZG4VFX
Native American Spider Mythology
Spiders play important roles in the mythology of many Native American tribes. In Southwestern tribes, spiders are associated with the culturally important art of weaving, and wise spider goddesses give their assistance to the people as culture heroes.
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http://www.native-languages.org/legends-spider.htm
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