Textiles in mythology and folklore
Among the Olympians, the weaver goddess is Athena, who, despite her role, was bested by her acolyte Arachne, who was turned later into a weaving spider. The daughters of Minyas, Alcithoe, Leuconoe and their sister, defied Dionysus and honored Athena in their weaving instead of joining his festival. A woven peplum, laid upon the knees of the goddess's iconic image, was central to festivals honoring both Athena at Athens, and Hera.
Cultural depictions of spiders
Another Japanese mythological spider figure is the "Jorōgumo" ("prostitute spider") which is portrayed as being able to transform into a seductive woman. In some instances, the "Jorōgumo" attempts to seduce and perhaps marry passing samurai. In other instances she is venerated as a goddess dwelling in the Jōren Falls who saves people from drowning. Her name also refers to a golden orb-spider species "Nephila clavata" ("Jorō-gumo", or Jorō spider).