Spider Woman (Naʼashjéʼiiʼ Asdzą́ą́)
Also known as: Spider Grandmother (in some English retellings)
Mythological Narrative
The Holy Person who guides the Hero Twins on their way to the Sun, giving them protection and words to calm the guardians; in Diné tradition she also taught weaving.
Scholarly Commentary & Evolution
## The twins' helper
When the Hero Twins set out to find their father, they come upon Spider Woman, who lives underground and invites them in. She tells them who their father is and how dangerous the way to his house will be, and she gives them protection, in Matthews's version a sacred feather, and a prayer or chant to pacify the dangers and guardians they will meet. Her help makes the journey possible.
## Weaving
Diné tradition credits Spider Woman with teaching weaving, and Spider Man with making the first loom. Weaving remains one of the great Diné arts, and weavers speak of the knowledge as a gift from the Holy People. Some weavers leave a small line (sometimes called a spirit line) running out from the pattern; practices and explanations differ, and this site does not describe them further.
## Spider Rock
Tsé Naʼashjéʼiiʼ, Spider Rock, a sandstone spire in Canyon de Chelly, is associated with Spider Woman. Canyon de Chelly is on Navajo Nation land and is visited with Diné guides.
Academic Discussion & Critique
Exchange peer-reviewed hypotheses, comparative Indo-European etymologies, and archaeological field interpretations regarding Spider Woman (Naʼashjéʼiiʼ Asdzą́ą́).
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