Spider Lilies

Spider Lilies

Year: 2007

Runtime: 94 mins

Language: Chinese

Director: Zero Chou

DramaRomance

A daring portrait of forbidden love, it follows Jade, a webcam performer who visits Takeko’s tattoo studio and becomes fascinated by the spider‑lily motif and by Takeko herself. Seeking intimacy, Jade asks for same lily tattoo, a request that disrupts Takeko’s disciplined, monastic life and awakens memories that threaten to pull the two women apart.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Spider Lilies yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Spider Lilies (2007)

Trace every key event in Spider Lilies (2007) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Jade seeks a tattoo and finds Takeko

Jade is a webcam performer who broadcasts nightly to anonymous online viewers. She seeks a tattoo design and follows the trail to Takeko's studio, where the famous artist also happens to be Jade's childhood crush. Their first encounter introduces a tense mix of desire, memory, and danger around the tattoo's power.

Night Takeko's tattoo studio
2

Jade is drawn to the spider lily tattoo; Takeko refuses

Jade is immediately drawn to the imposing tattoo of golden spider lilies on Takeko's arm, a symbol steeped in folklore within the story. She asks Takeko to replicate the design, but Takeko refuses, warning that the flowers are cursed.

Takeko's studio
3

Takeko's backstory and Ching's trauma

Takeko explains that her father died in an earthquake and bore the same tattoo. Her younger brother Ching witnessed the tragedy and remains traumatized, remembering only the image of the flowers. She decides to get the same tattoo herself, hoping it might aid Ching's recovery.

Takeko's home and studio
4

Takeko begins designing Jade's tattoo

Despite the initial reluctance, Takeko feels drawn to Jade and agrees to design a new tattoo for her. The plan is to create something meaningful that could help Jade survive the peril surrounding her online life.

Takeko's studio
5

Police ambush and budding connection

A young police officer targets Jade and the other girls, trying to shut down the online site. As he listens to Jade's childhood stories, he gradually connects with her, slowing the investigation's progress.

City streets and Jade's online stream
6

Love confession and mistaken pursuit

The officer confesses that he loves Jade and urges her to get out before it's too late. Jade, mistaking him for Takeko, goes to Takeko's studio seeking the supposed love confession.

Takeko's studio
7

Ching's search and memory flashes

One of Takeko's customers fights and loses his arm; Takeko sends him to the hospital and forgets to pick up her brother Ching. Desperate, Ching wanders the streets to find her and briefly recalls only the image of the flowers before nearly slipping down a steep hill.

City streets and hospital
8

Ching in coma and Takeko's farewell

Takeko finds Ching in the hospital, where he slips into a severe coma. Devastated by guilt, she records a farewell message to Jade saying she cannot finish Jade's tattoo.

Hospital
9

Jade awaits Takeko; real identity revealed

Jade goes online again, waiting for Takeko. The policeman finally reveals his true identity to Jade and urges her to go offline immediately. Jade realizes the confession did not come from Takeko.

Jade's room / online
10

Ching wakes; Takeko's apology to Jade

Ching wakes from the coma with memory intact, bringing relief to Takeko. She sends Jade another message, apologizing and saying she will wait for Jade at the tattoo shop.

Hospital and Takeko's studio
11

Takeko waits for Jade at the studio

Joyful at Ching's recovery, Takeko resolves to welcome Jade back and awaits her at the tattoo studio. The shared understanding hints at a rebuilt connection between Jade and Takeko.

Takeko's studio
12

Final image: Jade heads to meet Takeko

The film ends with Jade walking toward the tattoo shop, signaling a new chapter where art, memory, and potential love intersect. The audience is left with a hopeful sense of reunion.

Takeko's studio

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:45

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Spider Lilies

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