The association between the spider, the spider-web, and the thunder, is
very close—so close, that it is difficult to understand the conception
of the power of the spider without considering the power of the thunder.
The spider is often spoken of as the “spider-man.” It is also associated
with the mythical elk. It was supposed to have great power. The observed
fact that a spider manufactures a web, and that this web is not
destroyed by bullets or arrows (since they pass through it, leaving only
a hole), is cited by some individuals as the basis for the conception
that the spider has power to protect people from harm. On the other
hand, the spider is spoken of as a friend of the thunder; and it is a
general belief that the thunder will never harm the spider-web, or, what
amounts to the same, that the spider-web itself is a protection against
thunder. As previously stated, the spider-web is represented by a
peculiar four-cornered design. This design is sometimes said to
represent the heavens, in which case the four points represent the four
directions, the home of the winds, the four thunders, etc.; the
supernatural character of the design being indicated by
lightning-symbols extending from the four corners.
[Illustration: Fig. 23 (50-3095). Design of a Spider-web.]
In a preceding paper,[19] the spider-web design was discussed in its
relation to decorative art, where it was noted that among some divisions
of the Dakota is a belief in a double woman,[20] to whom, among other
things, certain ceremonial uses of this design are attributed. According
to information secured by the writer, this character was also associated
with the elk ceremonies, where she was often represented by two women
tied together by a cord (about two feet in length), from the middle of
which hung a doll or a ball. Women often receive power by dreaming of
this character. Some such women are supposed to perform a kind of
ceremony, somewhat secret, in which a child is taken out to a lonely
place, where a swing or hammock-like structure is made in the form of
the spider-web design, supported by the four corners, and the child is
placed upon it. This is to bring good fortune to the child. A design of
the spider-web might then be placed upon the robe of the child as a
symbol of its having experienced the ceremony (Fig. 23).
The men, however, use this design for military protection, in which
connection it is not thought of as being associated in any way with the
mythical double woman. It is, however, closely associated with the
medicine-bow. This was a very sacred military object with the Dakota, of
which only four duplicates could be had. It consisted of a bow of plain
wood, of the usual length, to the end of which was attached a
spear-head. Fastened to the bow was a stick somewhat longer, sharpened
at one end, and decorated with feathers and other symbolic objects. The
purpose of the stick was to support the bow, since all such sacred
objects would lose their power if allowed to touch the ground. The bow
was not used as a weapon, but was carried as a standard, because of its
supposed magical power over the enemy. The figure of the dragon-fly was
usually painted upon the bow and its support, as well as dots
representing insects that fly swiftly, and zigzag lines representing
thunder. Feathers of the eagle, the magpie, the hawk, and, in fact, of
all birds swift of wing, were likewise attached to it. The association
between these insects and birds was the same as that previously noted;
that is, since they were swift in motion, and difficult to strike, they
represented the qualities desired by the bearers of the bow. These bows
have long since passed out of existence, but survive in models made for
commercial purposes.