What Is the Meaning of Spider Tattoos? Introducing Designs Such as Spider Webs and Tribal Styles

Spiders move quickly with eight legs, more than any other animal, creating a rustling sound as they move around. This creates a sense of unease.
Because of their creepiness, they are often used in horror movies and other media as a motif symbolizing “fear” and “danger.”

Spiders generally have a negative image associated with them, but the creepy vibe is also one reason they have become a popular motif, especially in tattoos.

In this article, we will explain not only spiders, but also spider web designs as well!

Meanings of Spider Tattoos

Because of their unique appearance, spiders are often seen as creepy. Despite this, in tattoos worldwide they are a popular motif to use.

Likewise, spider webs are a highly popular motif as well, because they can be used to make a stylish, geometric design.

From here, we will introduce the meanings that spider and spider web tattoos carry.

• Wisdom and Patience: Because spiders build their webs and wait for prey, they are said to symbolize persistence and patience to wait for the right moment.
• Power and Threat: This may not be very familiar in Japan, but many spiders have venom. Because of this they are often associated with meanings such as power and threats. As well as express pure strength, or the ability to protect those important to you and yourself, even in difficult situations.
• Creativity: Because spiders create geometric webs from zero, they can also express creativity.
• Freedom and Independence: Because spiders act alone and build their own webs, they are also said to be symbols of independence and freedom.

Meanings of Spider Web Tattoos

Next, we will introduce the meanings of spider web tattoos!

• Protection: In Native American culture, there is a protective charm called a “dreamcatcher” that uses a spider web motif. The threads, woven like a spider web, are believed to catch evil spirits and nightmares, protecting you. From this came the meaning of protection.
• Good Luck: For a similar reason to protection, spider webs were thought to “catch” happiness and good fortune. Thus, they are associated with the meaning of good luck.
• Restriction: Originally overseas, spider webs were seen as symbols of mental and physical restriction, such as arrest, imprisonment or past trauma. Because of that, they were once used as a symbol of wrongdoing. However, they can also mean breaking free from past mistakes or trauma.

Spider / Spider Web Tattoo Design Examples

From here, we will introduce some tattoo designs featuring spiders and spider webs as motifs.

Please try to find a design that suits you!

Spider Web Tattoo on the Elbow

This is a tattoo design depicting a spider web on the elbow.

Spider webs are often drawn on joint areas such as the elbow or knee.

Spider and Skull Tattoo on the Shoulder

This is a tattoo design combining a spider and a skull on the shoulder.

This design creates a very eerie atmosphere.

Cute One-Point Spider Tattoo on the Arm

This is a design example of a one-point spider tattoo on the arm.

Large spider tattoos are cool too, but when it’s a one-point size, it gives a very cute impression!

Spider and Spider Web Tattoo on the Upper Arm (For Women)

This is a tattoo design drawn by combining a spider and spider web motifs on the upper arm.

A heart is drawn in the center of the web with the web itself shaped like a heart, making it a very cute design.

Spider and Moon Tattoo

This is a tattoo design example combining spider and moon motifs.

A spider hangs down with a thread from the moon with bats flying behind it. Express a creepy night very well.

Tribal Spider Tattoo

This is a tribal spider tattoo.

The spider’s unique look matches the tribal design very well!

Spider Tattoo on the Neck

This is a tattoo design depicting a spider on the neck.

It has a strong presence and turns out to be a very cool design.

Phantom Troupe Spider Tattoo on the Side (Hunter × Hunter)

This is a design example depicting the Phantom Troupe spider tattoo on the side of the torso.

It is a highly popular design used as proof of membership in the Phantom Troupe from the manga Hunter × Hunter.

Spider and Snake Tattoo on the Chest

This tattoo is designed with snakes on the left and right sides of the chest, and a spider in the center.

The balance of the symmetrical snakes and the spider in the center is a very beautiful design.

Realistic Spider Tattoo on the Leg

This tatoo example depicts a realistic spider on the leg.

The spider drawn as if it is climbing up the leg has a strong presence and is very stylish.

American Traditional Spider Tattoo on the Knee (Ametora / Traditional Tattoo)

This tattoo example depicts an American traditional style of spider on the knee.

The spider’s unique look matches very well with the distinctive coloring of American traditional tattoos.

Spider Tattoo on the Hand

This is a tattoo design depicting a spider on the hand.

It draws the spider’s long legs not only on the back of the hand but also on the fingers.