Who Is Spider Grandmother?

In Hopi culture, Kokyangwuti isn’t just a legendary figure. Kokyangwuti, or Spider Grandmother, is a teacher, a creator, and a symbol of great power. She is known for passing down the art of weaving and spinning cotton, and her influence runs deep in Hopi traditions. But that’s just the beginning—what else makes her story so remarkable? Read on to learn more about her!

Who is Grandmother Spider or Spider Grandmother?

Grandmother Spider, also known as Spider Grandmother or Kokyangwuti in Hopi, is an important figure in Hopi culture and mythology. She appears as an old woman or a spider. When she is in her spider form, she lives in an underground cave or hole.

What does Grandmother Spider or Spider Grandmother do?

Legends say that Grandmother Spider worked with Tawa, the Sun God, to create life. The two deities created human beings from their own likeness and breathed life into them.

Furthermore, Grandmother Spider helps people by giving advice and curing those who are sick.

What does Grandmother Spider symbolize?

Grandmother Spider symbolizes balance, fertility, and harmony. She is recognized as a leader and a very wise figure. In Hopi culture, she is known as the Earth Goddess.

Does Grandmother Spider have other names?

Yes, Grandmother Spider, or Spider Grandmother, has different names depending on the tribe that worships her.

In Hopi mythology, Spider Grandmother is called Kokyangwuti or Gogyeng Sowuhti. In Navajo mythology, she is called Na'ashjé'íí Asdzáá.

Grandmother Spider and the Creation Stories

• First Tale: Sun god Tawa and Earth goddess Spider Woman give souls to Earth, its creatures, and other lesser gods. She guides the creatures through the Four Great Caverns and gives them responsibilities and rituals to follow in their new home.
• The Four Worlds and the Emergence: Grandmother Spider guides creatures through various worlds and helps them transform, ultimately staying in the fourth world permanently.
• The Four Worlds: Spider Grandmother helps create the Sun, Moon, and other religious rituals. She guides creatures through the different worlds and teaches them survival skills.