What is the symbolism of the bear as a totem animal?

What is the symbolism of the Bear?

In the field of European totem animals, the Bear is central. We could even call it royal, as it will often be associated with royalty and even divinity throughout the ages.

Sometimes adored for its power or wisdom, sometimes feared for its ferocity, the Bear fascinates all peoples. And very specifically the ancient peoples of Europe. Today, the symbolism of the Bear guides us on age-old virtues.

But what is the symbolism of the bear as a totem animal?

The meaning and virtues associated with the Bear

The bear has always been both revered and feared. A symbol of power and protection, it is present in many legends and folk traditions, and has been revered since prehistoric times in the form of cults. Over time, it will be associated with royalty, sometimes even with divinity. When we think of the King of the forest, some see the Deer, others the Bear, for its strength, combativeness, and territorialism.

Over time, the following virtues were associated with it:

Symbolic 1: Strength, robustness

- The bear symbolizes brute and wild strength.

- It also embodies robustness and determination in trials. The figure of the bear that continues to advance with its back covered in arrows is not insignificant. It symbolizes its resistance.

Symbolic 2: Protection of the territory, the family

- The Bear is a territorial animal. By extension, it also represents the father or mother of the family, who is ready to do anything to defend his or her own. It is the opposition of the clan to society.

- It is also associated with maternal care and the survival instinct. The female bear, fiercely protecting her cubs, could also symbolize motherhood and protection. This image of the bear as guardian of the family and young is a powerful symbolism that has crossed the ages and still inspires us today ✨

Symbolic 3: Isolation, renewal

The Bear is a hibernating animal. It knows how to withdraw to regain strength, to prepare for the battles to come. In some spiritual traditions, it is a noble guide who leads us to surpass ourselves and demonstrate wisdom in the effort.

The bear's hibernation may also have symbolized the cycle of life, death, and rebirth for our ancestors. The bear's return in spring after a long period of sleep could be seen as a metaphor for resurrection and renewal, essential themes for societies dependent on natural cycles. And then, if you're interested in history, you'll know that individuals who resurrect after a period of dormancy are the kind to mark their era, right?😇

In some spiritual traditions, such as in Siberia, the Bear is seen as an ancestor of man. A distant relative, venerated, revered through dances or shamanic initiations. The knowledge of the ancients survives through him.

Spirit of the Bear T-shirt at Oak Runes

The Bear in Prehistory!

Representations in Rock Art

The bear appears frequently in prehistoric cave paintings and engravings, particularly during the Upper Paleolithic period (around 40,000 to 10,000 years BCE). These representations, found in caves across Europe, such as the Chauvet Cave in France, testify to the symbolic importance of the bear for prehistoric societies. These images may have served ritual, magical or symbolic purposes, indicating a form of respect or veneration for this animal. It is even believed that tribal initiation rituals existed to get closer to this spiritual ancestor.

Bear Rituals and Worship

Archaeological findings, such as bear bone deposits in specific contexts, suggest the aforementioned idea that our distant ancestors practiced rituals dedicated to the bear. One of the best-known examples is the Neanderthal "bear cult", where bear skulls were placed in specific positions, perhaps as part of religious ceremonies or hunting rituals. This practice indicates a belief in the spiritual power of the bear and an attempt to attract its protection or strength. At least, that's our modern assumption! 📖

In short, in prehistoric times, the bear must have been much more than just an animal for early humans. It embodied values ​​of power, renewal, and protection, playing a central role in rituals and beliefs. Artistic representations and ritual practices bear witness to this deep veneration and the symbolic importance of the bear in prehistoric societies.

The Bear among the Vikings

In the Viking Age , and in the Germanic and Scandinavian world more broadly, the Bear was revered by association with its warrior virtues. The bear was attributed a symbolism of brute strength and indomitable courage.

Some berserkers, warriors reputed to be invincible and completely unpredictable (for reasons that are still difficult to identify: mushrooms, rituals, training... Who is right!), even these sometimes wore bear skins, seeking to channel the spirit of the animal.

The runes on our Bear Coat of Arms t-shirt recall this tradition, evoking notions of protection and power. It is not for nothing that the rune ᚦ, Thurisaz, is included!

The Bear among the Celts and the Gauls

Among the Celts (and also among the Gauls, by extension 😇), the bear was associated with Artio , goddess of hunting and nature, who was mainly venerated among our Helvetian friends, in Switzerland. Attached, a bronze statuette from the 2nd century, unearthed near Bern .

Moreover, the legacy will be maintained and will inspire the Celtic Anglo-Saxon folklore, since the very name of the legendary King Arthur (Artorius) derives from the ancient Celtic word for bear . Here too, the bear symbolized strength, but also wisdom and protection of nature. The oak branches added to our motif pay homage to this deep connection between the bear and the European forests.

Moreover, in ancient Celtic society, forests were managed by each tribe, which leads us to a funny observation: Gallic France was less forested than ours! (But the variety of trees prevailed over those of the Douglas pine plantations that are inflicted on us today for their rapid growth which acidifies the soil 🫠 But this is another debate!)

Aside: The ancient world sometimes spoke of the Celts as a people of the Forests and the Night . This is not insignificant, the connection to the protective woods, to the forest that both protects and removes, is intrinsic to the symbolism of wild life among the Celts.

The Bear in Medieval Times

During the Middle Ages, the bear often appeared in bestiaries, these works

which illustrated the real and mythical characteristics of animals. It was generally described as a noble animal, capable of great ferocity but also of gentleness, particularly in the protection of its young. This duality made the bear a complex symbol, represented in medieval art and literature.

The Bear will also be hunted in the manner of a royal test, and it is from there that the Irish Wolfhounds , these large Irish wolfhounds, stood out; they participated in hunting bears alongside the Kings, and would have been the only dogs capable of such a feat.

The Modern Virtues of the Bear

Today, the bear continues to carry strong and timeless values. At least, for us, it does 🍀 It is often seen as a symbol of strength and solidity, evoking resilience in the face of challenges. But also a symbol of family and protection, recalling the image of the bear protecting its cubs with fierce determination.

We even made a t-shirt of it right here . A totemic adaptation, which preserves a long tradition of forgotten legends and folklore: Power, protection and wisdom, while embodying the contemporary values ​​of strength, solidity and family!🌿

If you learned something from this article, we strongly encourage you to share it around you, to help discover the symbolism of the Bear among our ancestors!

Uriel of Oak Runes