Dreaming of Spiders: Discover the Spiritual Meaning and Interpretation

Written by Kirstin Harrington
Updated: May 25, 2023
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Our individual dream worlds are secretive and private spaces. However, many dream themes seem to be universal. For example, it’s not uncommon to dream your teeth falling are out or you’ve shown up in public naked! Dreams about spiders are also a common occurrence for many people.

Dreams are a window into our subconscious, so what could these bizarre dreams about eight-legged critters be trying to tell you? Below, we’ll discuss the possible symbolism and meaning behind these creepy crawly dreams!

Infographic of Dreaming of Spiders
Scenarios in dreams involving spiders include being bitten by a spider, becoming entangled in its web, or killing it.

Fear of Spiders

Most people experience fear when they dream of spiders. This response probably corresponds to something in your everyday life that gives you a similar type of dread. What circumstance causes anxiety, distaste, or abhorrence in your life? The answer to this question may just be the key to your spider-related nightmares.

Dreaming of Spider Bites

A dream spider may represent a narcissist in your waking life.

©viktori-art/Shutterstock.com

Dreaming of being bitten by a spider may indicate that you are feeling judged. Alternatively, the bite may symbolize your instinct that someone is being dishonest with you. It’s also possible for a dream spider to represent a narcissist in your waking life.

You Could be Feeling Trapped

Another interpretation of spider-driven nightmares is gradual loss of independence or control, especially if the dreams entail a web. A spider web represents feeling trapped, according to research. 

Because spider webs are 30 times thinner than hair, they are more often felt than seen. A spider’s web dream may indicate that you are blind to the circumstance trapping you.

Dreams of web entanglement could symbolize a host of circumstances, including a dead-end job, a stale relationship, or suffocating family dynamics. To get to the root of why you’re experiencing a loss of control, focus on how it felt to be stuck in the dream web and ask how it corresponds to your present predicament.

Dreaming of Killing Spiders

Don’t be alarmed if you dream about killing animals, particularly spiders. This is not a sign that you have a deep-seated urge to hurt living beings. In reality, killing spiders is a fairly typical dream. It can even be helpful if you suffer from a fear of spiders. 

Some of us have a massive fear of spiders, from enormous tarantulas to tiny specks you encounter in your bathroom. The death of a spider in a dream can represent conquering your fear. Whether related to work or relationships, your subconscious is saying you’re ready to shake the unpleasant thing in your life.

Spiders may also represent anxiety and stress. Killing dream spiders could be representative of “killing” these stressors. It’s a positive reminder from your subconscious of personal power and capacity to face your worries!

Dreaming of Several Spiders

Spider nest

If you dream of multiple spiders, it’s possible that you currently feel burdened by the amount of responsibility you are taking on.

©Ivan Semenovych/Shutterstock.com

Several spiders in your dream scurrying in different directions might symbolize overwhelm. It’s possible that you currently feel burdened by the amount of responsibility you are taking on. Maybe you have too much work on your plate, or family obligations are taxing your dwindling resources. You could feel as though you don’t have enough time to unwind and recover!

Your subconscious is crying out for help. It’s an indication that you should reevaluate your priorities. Decide how to deal with life’s demands in a more sustainable and healthy way.

Spiders Crawling on You in a Dream

Spiders crawling over you in a dream is almost always a very unpleasant experience. Nightmares like these are indicative of something irksome and seemingly unstoppable invading your life. You may be making an effort to ignore it and carry on, but it’s starting to negatively affect you. Time to address it.

Final Thoughts

Even though spider dreams are universal, each individual will have their own interpretation, based on personal factors. The most important aspect of dreams is the emotions you experienced and how those emotions align with your current reality.

The more often you have disturbing dreams, the more you should become curious as to their meaning. Analyzing and interpreting these dreams could help you get to know yourself better and improve your quality of life.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/Iuliia Iunzhakova


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About the Author

Kirstin is a writer at A-Z Animals primarily covering animals, news topics, fun places, and helpful tips. Kirstin has been writing on a variety of topics for over five years. She has her real estate license, along with an associates degree in another field. A resident of Minnesota, Kirstin treats her two cats (Spook and Finlay) like the children they are. She never misses an opportunity to explore a thrift store with a coffee in hand, especially if it’s a cold autumn day!

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