Story Summary
Experience the peril of The Spider Demons in Journey to the West, where Monk Tang Sanzang is ensnared by seven sisters weaving webs of deception and magic.
During their arduous pilgrimage to the West, the monk Tang Sanzang insisted on begging for alms alone, hoping to show his devotion. He happened upon a serene cottage where seven beautiful women were embroidery. Unbeknownst to him, these were the Seven Spider Demons. They welcomed the monk with false hospitality before revealing their true forms, shooting webs of magical silk from their navels to bind him tight. When Sun Wukong realized his master was missing, he tracked him to a nearby hot spring where the sisters bathed. The Monkey King used his transformations to harass them, while the gluttonous Zhu Bajie attempted to confront them but was quickly ensnared by their sticky webs. It took Sun Wukong’s tactical brilliance and his golden staff to shatter the demons' illusions and destroy their silken fortress. Through this trial, the pilgrims learned that the most beautiful flowers often hide the deadliest venom, and Tang Sanzang vowed never to let his guard down again.
The Moral
True wisdom lies in looking past outward beauty and sensory temptations to see the reality of a situation.
“Do not be fooled by the softness of the silk, for it is the strongest of snares.”
Fun Fact
The Spider Demons are some of the few female antagonists in the novel who use a unique biological magic—silk from the navel—which is often interpreted as a metaphor for worldly attachments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the moral of The Spider Demons?
The story teaches that one should not be deceived by appearances or physical beauty. It highlights how temptations can lead to spiritual and physical traps if one lacks discernment.
Who are the Spider Demons in Journey to the West?
The Spider Demons are seven sisters who live in the Silk Cave. They are powerful spirits who use magical silk produced from their navels to capture their prey, including the monk Tang Sanzang.
How does Sun Wukong defeat the Spider Demons?
Sun Wukong uses his transformation abilities to spy on them and steals their clothes while they are bathing to weaken them. He ultimately uses his combat skills and magical staff to destroy their webs and defeat them.
What happens to Zhu Bajie in this story?
Zhu Bajie, or Pigsy, is distracted by the beauty of the demons and attempts to flirt with them while they are in the hot spring. This leads to him being humiliated and trapped in their sticky webbing.
Why did Tang Sanzang get captured by the spiders?
Tang Sanzang was captured because he insisted on begging for food alone, ignoring the potential dangers of the wilderness. His misplaced trust in the sisters' appearance led him directly into their trap.
Who is the brother of the Spider Demons?
Their elder brother is the Hundred-Eyed Demon Lord, a centipede spirit who can shoot blinding golden light from eyes all over his torso. He attempts to avenge his sisters after Wukong defeats them.
