Spiders evoke a sense of mystery and unease among people. Known to be small and venomous, with many eyes and legs. Lurking in the dark, unexplored corners of our houses and yards, they often appeal to our fear of the unknown. Myths and superstitions can build on these fears. What are some common myths and superstitions associated with spiders, and where do they come from?

Let us examine a spider’s features and anatomy. A spider has eight legs, and its body roughly resembles the number eight which, when rotated, looks like the symbol of infinity. Due, in part, to this fact, they have come to be associated with birth and rebirth, things with no form or limit, matters that are ongoing. Web-weaving spiders have glands in their abdomen that they use to produce the silken thread used to create its web, symbolizing creativity and being strongly associated with writing.

Although many spiders are venomous, they are also thought to contain healing properties. To cure a fever, you can make syrup with a spider. A spider in a walnut shell worn around the neck repels the plague. Witches and healers often used spiders in their charms and brews.

If you find a spider, do not kill it. It is good luck to let a spider live, whether it be in your home, or on your clothes. In fact, if you find a money-spider on your person or clothes, provided that you don’t kill it, you will soon reap financial rewards! Ancient Romans carried spider charms for good luck.

In many cultures, it is considered unlucky to kill a spider and it is good luck to have cobwebs in the house. There are stories that David, who went on to become King of Israel, escaped prosecution from King Solomon thanks to a spider weaving its web around the cave entrance where he was hiding. There is a similar story in Islam that Mohamed, the founder of Islam, escaped his enemies in Mecca when they found the cave he was hiding in was covered in leaves, branches and spider webs. In Japan, Yoritomo, founder of Shogunate first Japanese Mayor of the Palace), escaped Oba Kage-chika thanks to white doves and a spider weaving its web around the entrance to the cave he was hiding in.

Seeing a spider weaving its web is thought to mean good luck among many. Some cultures see spider webs as depicting traps, as symbolizing the easy at which humans can become entwined in evil. In other cultures, walking into a spider-web means that you will meet a friend. Spider-webs are used as Christmas decorations in some countries.

Last but not least, the myth of swallowing large amounts of spiders during sleep. In 1993 Lisa Holst, a computer magazine columnist, spread a false fact that humans swallow up to 8 spiders per year. This myth was so successful that it is still being perpetrated.

Spiders symbolize infinity, creativity, luck, money, death and rebirth. Some myths and superstitions about spiders are recent, and some date back to the ancient era. Whereas some myths are easily tracked to their roots, we can only speculate about the origin of the others.