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{"id":9210104545502,"title":"Spider Woman and Spider Rock - Deity Who Taught the Navajo how to Weave - and more!","handle":"spider-woman-and-spider-rock-deity-who-taught-the-navajo-how-to-weave-and-more","description":"\u003ch6 class=\"pageheader1\" align=\"center\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h6\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg\u003e\u003cimg\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1207\/9128\/files\/download_8_spider_woman.jpg?v=1778182683\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003cimg\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpider Woman and Spider Rock\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Navajo legend, Spider Woman lives at the top of Spider Rock, a 750 foot spire in Canyon De Chelly.  She was first to weave the web of the universe. She taught the Navajo women how to use a loom - made of sunlight, lighting and rain to create blankets and rugs, bringing both functionality and sacred art to the people (Diné).  By sharing the gift of weaving she showed Navajo weavers how to create beauty in their own life and to spread the \"Beauty Way\" teaching of balance within the mind, body \u0026amp; soul (hózhó). On the other hand Spider Woman has a bit of a\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003edark side\u003c\/strong\u003e. But let's start off with the bright.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIn the Navajo creation story\u003c\/strong\u003e, the first world was small and pitch black. There were four seas and an island. In the very middle of the island was a single pine tree. Ants, dragonflies, locusts and beetles lived there and made up the Air-Spirit People of the first world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe second world was known as the Blue world, where life was given to Spider Woman \u0026amp; Spider Man. Only their inner spirits or souls were made. Their physical bodies were made later to contain their spirits when they evolved into future worlds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the third, known as the Yellow world the holy ones advised Spider Woman that she had the capabilities of weaving a map of the universe and the geometrical patterns of the spirit beings in the night sky.  At first she did not know what they meant, and was not told how it could be done. Curiosity became her energy and driving force to learn to weave as the holy ones instructed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn a beautiful day when she was out on the land, exploring and gathering food, she came upon a small young tree. She touched it with her right hand and wrapped her fingers around one of its branches. As she was letting go, a string streamed out the center of her palm and wrapped around the tree branch. She was not quite sure what the string was. At first she shook her hand to release the string, but it would not break free. She thought if she kept wrapping the string around the branch it might let go.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpider Woman started maneuvering and manipulating the string into various shapes. At this particular moment, she knew this was the weaving the holy people instructed her to do. Immediately she broke the string with her left hand without hesitation. She sat and thought carefully about how to use her new gift. For the rest of the day she sat close to the tree and wrapped the string into various patterns on other branches of the small tree.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe holy ones heard about Spider Woman's new talent and came to visit her. During the visit the holy ones instructed Spider Man to construct a weaving loom and also create the tools used in the various processes of weaving. At this time Spider Woman began to sing the weaving songs, given to her by the holy ones. The songs empower the weavings and the weaving tools.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDine (Navajo) of today live in the fourth world, known as the \"Glittering World\". Young weavers are instructed to find a spider web in the early morning, glistening with sunlight and sparkles. They are told to place the palm of their right hand upon the spider's webbing without destroying or damaging the web. At that moment Spider Woman's gift of weaving enters the young weaver's spirit, where it lives forever. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpider Woman's dark side.  \u003c\/strong\u003eNavajo elders warn young children that Spider Woman is always on the look out for mischievous and disobedient children. When she finds them, she spins them tight with her web and takes them to the top of Spider Rock. There she boils and eats them. Their left over bones melt in the sun which create the white bands at the very top of Spider Rock. Yikes. Kids, be on your best behavior!   \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca title=\"Cara Gorman Master WEaver Nizhoni Ranch Gallery Navajo Rugs\" href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/collections\/cara-gorman\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Cara Gorman Spider Rock Navajo Rug Master Weaver Nizhoni Rnach Gallery\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1207\/9128\/files\/Cara-Gorman-R1_1024x1024_884fbc47-d239-4e8e-9735-0debdb3e7af3_large.jpg?v=1525721158\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003ca title=\"Cara Gorman Rugs Weavings Nizhoni Ranch Gallery\" href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/collections\/cara-gorman\"\u003eCara Gorman,  Master Navajo Weaver\u003c\/a\u003e, close enough to Spider Rock to see the white bands \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca title=\"Elsie Bia Master Navajo Weaver rugs Nizhoni Ranch Gallery\" href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/collections\/churro-collection\/products\/ganado-klagetoh-navajo-weaving-elsie-bia-churro-1496\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Elsie Bia Nizhoni Ranch Gallery Navajo Rug\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1207\/9128\/files\/elsie-bia_1024x1024_9c45d8b4-fa32-4fd2-bd94-05ccc9a9584a_grande.jpg?v=1525457097\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003ca title=\"Elsie Bia Navajo Rugs Nizhoni Ranch Gallery\" href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/collections\/elsie-bia\"\u003eElsie Bia,  Master Navajo Weaver, near Spider Rock\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2026-05-08T13:55:53-07:00","created_at":"2026-05-08T13:55:53-07:00","vendor":"Nizhoni Ranch Gallery","type":"","tags":["educational","no-price-showing"],"price":0,"price_min":0,"price_max":0,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":48224464928990,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default Title","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":null,"requires_shipping":true,"taxable":true,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Spider Woman and Spider Rock - Deity Who Taught the Navajo how to Weave - and more!","public_title":null,"options":["Default Title"],"price":0,"weight":0,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_quantity":0,"inventory_management":null,"inventory_policy":"deny","barcode":null,"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[],"quantity_rule":{"min":1,"max":null,"increment":1}}],"images":["\/\/www.navajorug.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/SouthRim447.jpg?v=1778273790"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.navajorug.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/SouthRim447.jpg?v=1778273790","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":38204451946718,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.501,"height":1066,"width":1600,"src":"\/\/www.navajorug.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/SouthRim447.jpg?v=1778273790"},"aspect_ratio":1.501,"height":1066,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.navajorug.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/SouthRim447.jpg?v=1778273790","width":1600}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003ch6 class=\"pageheader1\" align=\"center\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h6\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg\u003e\u003cimg\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1207\/9128\/files\/download_8_spider_woman.jpg?v=1778182683\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003cimg\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpider Woman and Spider Rock\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Navajo legend, Spider Woman lives at the top of Spider Rock, a 750 foot spire in Canyon De Chelly.  She was first to weave the web of the universe. She taught the Navajo women how to use a loom - made of sunlight, lighting and rain to create blankets and rugs, bringing both functionality and sacred art to the people (Diné).  By sharing the gift of weaving she showed Navajo weavers how to create beauty in their own life and to spread the \"Beauty Way\" teaching of balance within the mind, body \u0026amp; soul (hózhó). On the other hand Spider Woman has a bit of a\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003edark side\u003c\/strong\u003e. But let's start off with the bright.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIn the Navajo creation story\u003c\/strong\u003e, the first world was small and pitch black. There were four seas and an island. In the very middle of the island was a single pine tree. Ants, dragonflies, locusts and beetles lived there and made up the Air-Spirit People of the first world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe second world was known as the Blue world, where life was given to Spider Woman \u0026amp; Spider Man. Only their inner spirits or souls were made. Their physical bodies were made later to contain their spirits when they evolved into future worlds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the third, known as the Yellow world the holy ones advised Spider Woman that she had the capabilities of weaving a map of the universe and the geometrical patterns of the spirit beings in the night sky.  At first she did not know what they meant, and was not told how it could be done. Curiosity became her energy and driving force to learn to weave as the holy ones instructed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn a beautiful day when she was out on the land, exploring and gathering food, she came upon a small young tree. She touched it with her right hand and wrapped her fingers around one of its branches. As she was letting go, a string streamed out the center of her palm and wrapped around the tree branch. She was not quite sure what the string was. At first she shook her hand to release the string, but it would not break free. She thought if she kept wrapping the string around the branch it might let go.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpider Woman started maneuvering and manipulating the string into various shapes. At this particular moment, she knew this was the weaving the holy people instructed her to do. Immediately she broke the string with her left hand without hesitation. She sat and thought carefully about how to use her new gift. For the rest of the day she sat close to the tree and wrapped the string into various patterns on other branches of the small tree.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe holy ones heard about Spider Woman's new talent and came to visit her. During the visit the holy ones instructed Spider Man to construct a weaving loom and also create the tools used in the various processes of weaving. At this time Spider Woman began to sing the weaving songs, given to her by the holy ones. The songs empower the weavings and the weaving tools.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDine (Navajo) of today live in the fourth world, known as the \"Glittering World\". Young weavers are instructed to find a spider web in the early morning, glistening with sunlight and sparkles. They are told to place the palm of their right hand upon the spider's webbing without destroying or damaging the web. At that moment Spider Woman's gift of weaving enters the young weaver's spirit, where it lives forever. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpider Woman's dark side.  \u003c\/strong\u003eNavajo elders warn young children that Spider Woman is always on the look out for mischievous and disobedient children. When she finds them, she spins them tight with her web and takes them to the top of Spider Rock. There she boils and eats them. Their left over bones melt in the sun which create the white bands at the very top of Spider Rock. Yikes. Kids, be on your best behavior!   \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca title=\"Cara Gorman Master WEaver Nizhoni Ranch Gallery Navajo Rugs\" href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/collections\/cara-gorman\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Cara Gorman Spider Rock Navajo Rug Master Weaver Nizhoni Rnach Gallery\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1207\/9128\/files\/Cara-Gorman-R1_1024x1024_884fbc47-d239-4e8e-9735-0debdb3e7af3_large.jpg?v=1525721158\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003ca title=\"Cara Gorman Rugs Weavings Nizhoni Ranch Gallery\" href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/collections\/cara-gorman\"\u003eCara Gorman,  Master Navajo Weaver\u003c\/a\u003e, close enough to Spider Rock to see the white bands \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca title=\"Elsie Bia Master Navajo Weaver rugs Nizhoni Ranch Gallery\" href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/collections\/churro-collection\/products\/ganado-klagetoh-navajo-weaving-elsie-bia-churro-1496\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Elsie Bia Nizhoni Ranch Gallery Navajo Rug\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1207\/9128\/files\/elsie-bia_1024x1024_9c45d8b4-fa32-4fd2-bd94-05ccc9a9584a_grande.jpg?v=1525457097\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003ca title=\"Elsie Bia Navajo Rugs Nizhoni Ranch Gallery\" href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/collections\/elsie-bia\"\u003eElsie Bia,  Master Navajo Weaver, near Spider Rock\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e"}

Spider Woman and Spider Rock - Deity Who Taught the Navajo how to Weave - and more!

Product Description

Spider Woman and Spider Rock 

According to Navajo legend, Spider Woman lives at the top of Spider Rock, a 750 foot spire in Canyon De Chelly.  She was first to weave the web of the universe. She taught the Navajo women how to use a loom - made of sunlight, lighting and rain to create blankets and rugs, bringing both functionality and sacred art to the people (Diné).  By sharing the gift of weaving she showed Navajo weavers how to create beauty in their own life and to spread the "Beauty Way" teaching of balance within the mind, body & soul (hózhó). On the other hand Spider Woman has a bit of a dark side. But let's start off with the bright.

In the Navajo creation story, the first world was small and pitch black. There were four seas and an island. In the very middle of the island was a single pine tree. Ants, dragonflies, locusts and beetles lived there and made up the Air-Spirit People of the first world.

The second world was known as the Blue world, where life was given to Spider Woman & Spider Man. Only their inner spirits or souls were made. Their physical bodies were made later to contain their spirits when they evolved into future worlds.

In the third, known as the Yellow world the holy ones advised Spider Woman that she had the capabilities of weaving a map of the universe and the geometrical patterns of the spirit beings in the night sky.  At first she did not know what they meant, and was not told how it could be done. Curiosity became her energy and driving force to learn to weave as the holy ones instructed.

On a beautiful day when she was out on the land, exploring and gathering food, she came upon a small young tree. She touched it with her right hand and wrapped her fingers around one of its branches. As she was letting go, a string streamed out the center of her palm and wrapped around the tree branch. She was not quite sure what the string was. At first she shook her hand to release the string, but it would not break free. She thought if she kept wrapping the string around the branch it might let go.  

Spider Woman started maneuvering and manipulating the string into various shapes. At this particular moment, she knew this was the weaving the holy people instructed her to do. Immediately she broke the string with her left hand without hesitation. She sat and thought carefully about how to use her new gift. For the rest of the day she sat close to the tree and wrapped the string into various patterns on other branches of the small tree.

The holy ones heard about Spider Woman's new talent and came to visit her. During the visit the holy ones instructed Spider Man to construct a weaving loom and also create the tools used in the various processes of weaving. At this time Spider Woman began to sing the weaving songs, given to her by the holy ones. The songs empower the weavings and the weaving tools.

Dine (Navajo) of today live in the fourth world, known as the "Glittering World". Young weavers are instructed to find a spider web in the early morning, glistening with sunlight and sparkles. They are told to place the palm of their right hand upon the spider's webbing without destroying or damaging the web. At that moment Spider Woman's gift of weaving enters the young weaver's spirit, where it lives forever. 

Spider Woman's dark side.  Navajo elders warn young children that Spider Woman is always on the look out for mischievous and disobedient children. When she finds them, she spins them tight with her web and takes them to the top of Spider Rock. There she boils and eats them. Their left over bones melt in the sun which create the white bands at the very top of Spider Rock. Yikes. Kids, be on your best behavior!   

Cara Gorman Spider Rock Navajo Rug Master Weaver Nizhoni Rnach Gallery
Cara Gorman,  Master Navajo Weaver, close enough to Spider Rock to see the white bands 

Elsie Bia Nizhoni Ranch Gallery Navajo Rug
Elsie Bia,  Master Navajo Weaver, near Spider Rock

 

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