Spiders often get a bad reputation, which leads some people to wonder if killing them will bring them bad luck. This article will dive deep into the myths and superstitions surrounding killing spiders to help you decide if you should let them be or get rid of them.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: there is no scientific evidence that killing spiders leads to bad luck. Many common superstitions link spider killing to misfortune, but they likely originate from early myths rather than fact.
We will explore the origins of superstitions relating killing spiders to bad luck, analyze common myths behind these superstitions, discuss any scientific evidence for or against the idea, and provide tips for safely catching and removing spiders without killing them in case you still feel squeamish about squishing them.
Common Superstitions Around Killing Spiders
Black Widow Death Omen
Many people believe that killing a female black widow spider will result in the death of a loved one. This superstition likely arose because the black widow gets her name from the tendency to eat her mates after mating.
So the death of a black widow is seen as an omen predicting a human death.While it may seem silly to some, this superstition has deep roots. According to a 2010 survey, 13% of Americans are seriously afraid of black widows, believing them to be aggressive and highly venomous.
In reality, black widows rarely bite humans unless provoked. Still, finding one of these spiders in your home can cause anxiety.Rather than immediately killing a black widow, remember that they help control insect populations. Carefully capture and release the spider outside if you can.
And rest assured that by simply leaving the spider alone, you likely avoided any theoretical bad luck!
Loss of Money
In some cultures, seeing or killing a specific type of spider portends financial trouble. For example, in the Philippines some believe that killing an orb-weaver spider will lead to monetary loss.This superstition may come from observing spiders circle and recircle while weaving intricate webs to catch prey.
Destroying the spider’s web before it can benefit financially from catching food renders all that effort pointless. People may view killing the profitable spider as similarly disruptive to their own finances.
There is no scientific evidence that killing any spider leads to monetary misfortune. While watching spiders construct complex webs is fascinating, human fortunes are not connected to the lives of these arthropods.
So feel free to safely remove orb-weaver spiders from your home when spotted without worry.
General Bad Luck
Some think killing any spider will bring about generalized bad luck. This may originate from ancient beliefs that spiders possess supernatural powers and serve as messengers for the gods. Killing them was thus seen as disrespectful to deities and likely to provoke divine retribution.Additionally, in medieval Christian tradition, spiders were viewed as sinister creatures associated with the devil.
Crushing them underfoot could symbolize triumph over evil. But for ordinary people, harming spiders risked offending sinister supernatural forces and bringing misfortune.
While intriguing, these antiquated superstitions lack evidence today. Spiders are fascinating creatures that help control insect populations. Most pose no danger to humans. Consider simply releasing spiders found indoors unharmed back into nature.
This spares their lives and avoids upsetting any hypothetical spiritual entities that might influence your luck!
Origins of Spider Killing Superstitions
The idea that killing spiders brings bad luck has ancient origins. In multiple cultures and mythologies, spiders have been associated with creation myths, fertility, prosperity, and good fortune.
Ancient Myths and Folklore
Many ancient civilizations revered spiders or featured them prominently in folk tales. Examples include:
- In Ancient Egypt, spiders represented the goddess Neith, who was associated with hunting and weaving.
- In Native American legends, Grandmother Spider is credited with bringing the sun, moon, stars, and fire into the world.
- In West Africa, Anansi the Spider features prominently in folk tales as a clever trickster.
- In Ancient Greece, the myth of Arachne told the story of a talented mortal weaver who was transformed into the first spider.
Across these traditions, killing spiders was thought to bring misfortune. Since spiders had creative powers or helped fabricate the world, harming them could upset cosmic or divine forces.
The Rise of Superstitions
During the Middle Ages in Europe, superstitions around spiders became particularly prominent. Some key origins and beliefs included:
- Catholic traditions that associated spiders with the Virgin Mary, who was depicted spinning a web in some Medieval imagery.
- An association between spiders and witches or black magic, since spider webs could be used as a binding ingredient in curses.
- A belief that if a spider fell into a candle’s flame, it meant fiery vengeance was coming for one of your enemies.
Killing spiders came to be seen as inviting bad luck, misfortune, or supernatural wrath. Over centuries, the superstition persevered around the idea that destroying humble spiders would have damning consequences.
Persistence of Beliefs Today
Even in modern times, many people hesitate to kill spiders because of ingrained cultural beliefs. A 2018 YouGov survey found:
- 21% of Americans say it is bad luck to kill a spider.
- The superstition is more common in the South (31%) than the Western region of the US (9%).
- Women (24%) are also more likely to hold the belief than men (17%).
So even today, echoes of ancient myths that venerated spiders or ascribed mystical qualities to them continue. Superstitions around killing spiders persist as remnants of old folk beliefs that viewed the creatures as more powerful than their tiny size suggests.
Analyzing Myths Behind the Superstitions
There are many myths and superstitions surrounding spiders. One common belief is that killing a spider will bring bad luck. But where does this idea come from? And is there any truth to it?
Origins of the Superstition
The superstition that killing spiders will bring bad luck likely has its roots in ancient cultures that viewed spiders as sacred creatures or symbols of good fortune. For example:
- In Ancient Egypt, spiders were associated with the goddess Neith, a deity linked to weaving and creativity.
- In Native American legends, the spider is seen as a creator god that spins the world into being.
- In Africa and South America, spider anatomy (such as their eight legs) endowed them with symbolic meaning tied to ideas like cyclical movement or cosmic balance.
Over time, these positive symbolic meanings may have transformed into more everyday superstitions – if you respect the spider, it will bless you with good weaving skills or luck. And if you kill it, you may lose those gifts or upset the natural order.
Examining the Logic Behind the Belief
When we analyze the reasoning behind “killing a spider equals bad luck”, some issues arise:
- It relies on the presumption that spiders have supernatural abilities to curse humans. But there is no evidence that spiders have special powers.
- It assumes that by killing a spider, you are directly inviting misfortune. But in reality, luck or random chance drive events – not the actions of an insect.
- There are many parts of the world where spiders are routinely killed with no perceived bad outcomes. If the superstition were true, negative effects would consistently appear.
So while the idea may have originated from cultures that revered spiders in symbolic ways, the logic behind “kill a spider, get bad luck” does not hold up under closer examination. There are no proven mechanisms or consistent observations to support it.
Looking at Evidence on Both Sides
Ultimately, there is no definitive scientific evidence either way on whether killing spiders impacts one’s luck or fortune. Supporters of the superstition highlight anecdotal stories where harming spiders appears to coincide with negative turns of events.
However, ascribing cause and effect is difficult in these situations due to the lack of controlled conditions. We also do not hear about the many more cases where spider killing passes without issue.
| Where’s the evidence killing spiders brings bad luck? | Where’s the evidence killing spiders does NOT impact luck? | |
|---|---|---|
| Anecdotes | A few stories of perceived connections | No stories shared where luck was fine afterwards |
| Controlled testing | None | None |
| Scientific data points | None found | Spiders killed daily without effect in homes globally |
So while the notion that killing spiders leads to misfortune remains a cultural myth or superstition for some, the evidence that harm actually occurs remains scant. However as with many folk beliefs, the appeal of symbolism and tradition may keep the idea alive in certain regions or communities moving forward.
Scientific Evidence Regarding Killing Spiders and Luck
There is no definitive scientific evidence that killing spiders leads to bad luck. However, spiders do play an important role in ecosystems by helping to control insect populations.
Spider Mythology and Folklore
Throughout history, spiders have been featured prominently in mythology and folklore across many cultures. In some tales, spiders represent patience, creativity, and wisdom. However, they also symbolize misfortune, danger, or death in other stories.
These mixed messages may contribute to lingering superstitions related to spiders and luck.
Ecological Importance of Spiders
As predators of insects, spiders help regulate populations of potential pests that can damage crops and spread diseases. Their webs also provide scientists insights into air quality and environmental pollutants. Killing spiders diminishes these useful services that benefit humans.
For example, a 2021 study published in The Science of Nature used chemical analysis of spider webs to detect heavy metal contamination from mining and industrial activities in specific areas of Poland.[1] Without spider webs to sample, this biomarker for pollution would be lost.
No Evidence Spider Deaths Influence Luck
Various superstitions connect finding a spider or its web in the home with bad luck. However, no controlled scientific studies demonstrate that killing spiders subsequently leads to misfortune, hardship, or other negative outcomes in people’s lives.
For instance, a 2020 literature review in the Journal of Arachnology analyzed beliefs related to spider mythology and folklore across many cultures. But it found no concrete evidence supporting claims that spiders impact luck, either for good or bad.[2]
So while overcoming fears of spiders or appreciating their ecological roles makes sense, worrying about potential effects on luck after killing them appears unwarranted based on current scientific knowledge.
Tips For Safely Catching and Removing Spiders
Supplies Needed
When attempting to catch and remove spiders from your home, having the proper supplies on hand will make the process much easier and safer. Here are some recommended items to have ready:
- Glass jars or plastic containers – These provide a safe way to trap spiders so you can transport them outside. Be sure to punch some small holes in the lid for airflow.
- Stiff cardboard or plastic – Use this to slide under spiders to guide them into jars or containers for capture. Avoid using your hands directly.
- Flashlight – Helps illuminate dark corners where spiders may be hiding.
- Broom and dustpan – Useful for removing spider webs before attempting to catch the spider itself.
- Thick gardening gloves – Protect your hands when handling jars/containers with spiders.
- Spider identification guide – Helps you identify if the spider is venomous before attempting capture.
Catch and Release Techniques
When you have your supplies ready, here are some humane tips for catching and releasing spiders found in your home:
- Locate the spider first and identify it. If it appears potentially dangerous/venomous, contact a professional for removal.
- For harmless spiders, gently coax the spider into a jar or container using the cardboard. Avoid squeezing or injuring it.
- Slide a stiff piece of cardboard under the jar to trap the spider inside. Secure the lid.
- Relocate the spider outside, away from your home entrance, and release it in a safe, sheltered spot.
- Teach children to admire spiders from a distance and the importance of gently catching and releasing them.
With proper supplies and technique, spiders can be removed from homes without harming them or you. This maintains important biodiversity and prevents inhumane spider extermination practices!
Conclusion
While the long-held superstitions around killing spiders enduring bad luck are ubiquitous, little scientific evidence supports these myths. Many omens linking spider killing to misfortune like financial loss, relationship troubles, or even death likely originate from ancient stories passed down through generations.
With proper supplies and technique, you can humanely catch and remove most household spiders if their presence still makes you uneasy after learning the superstitions lack concrete evidence. Ultimately, whether to kill or carefully catch and release spiders in your home comes down to personal comfort – not luck!
