Symbol of The Spindle

The spindle in “The Sleeper and the Spindle,” symbolizes control over life, death, and age. A spindle is a sewing instrument used with thread. Interestingly enough, thread is also used to symbolize life (think the thread in Disney’s Hercules). The witch uses the spindle to propagate the curse. This keeps her young and incapacitates those around her. Ultimately, it is used as a weapon and kills the witch, therefore controlling death.