Do you need to take a break and relax, or has life lost a bit of its sweetness? Is it time to stand up straight and face possible dangers without being afraid? Bear can help as a Spirit, a Totem, and a Power Animal.
Bear teaches you to trust your gut and let go of everything that gets in your way. Explore the symbolism and meaning of the Bear to learn how this Animal Spirit Guide can help, strengthen, and empower you.
If you want to learn about Bear Medicine, it means your higher self is preparing you to be a leader, even if it’s just in your own life.
What Does the Bear Symbol Mean?
When Bear wanders into your life, this Animal Spirit may be trying to tell you a few things. For instance, if you are a parent, a She-Bear is a powerful image. Your kids might need your help to stay safe from a group, person, or situation.
Bear Spirit gives us strength when we feel weak or helpless in less specific terms. Life can be hard, but Bear is always up to the task, no matter what comes his way. Bear’s message is, “Stay true” if you have been keeping your mouth shut and giving up on your goals.
Bear sometimes asks us to be in charge, not only of our own lives but also of the lives of others. Think about how big and heavy the Bear is. It deserves respect. Now is not the time to “play dead.” Instead, you should get involved and be inspired.
Bear Spirit is connected to shamanism, especially in Northern America and Siberia. A polar bear is revered as a wise and wise-teaching animal. Vikings wore Bearskins to scare off hordes and call on the Bear’s strength in battle.
When we look at the Bear’s hibernation cycle, it reminds us of how important rest, quiet, and privacy are, especially in our busy world. We need to get away from the noise of daily life to hear our higher selves and the Divine.
During the Han Dynasty in China, Bears were seen as gods. This sign was so powerful that the Bear became the country’s Totem Animal.
People in this area know about pandas and see them as a sign of prosperity, plenty, taking life slowly, and being able to do more than one thing well.
The Bear is a man in Feng Shui. Figurines of bears near the front door keep an eye on everyone inside. Keeping a Bear statue is one way for someone who will have a baby to make sure the baby will be healthy (typically a boy).
For the Ainu people of Japan, the Bear was a god who looked like an animal.
Bear Spirit Animal
When Bear comes to you as a Spirit Animal, you can be sure you’ll feel stronger and braver. No matter how hard things get, Bear holds you steady and keeps you grounded until the hard times are over.
After that, Bear won’t just go away. Instead, he’ll stay in your mind and help you heal in body, mind, and spirit. So, you can see that bears are some of the best protectors.
Even though many animals are willing to die to protect their young, few are as brave as bears. Once that kind of courage takes root in your heart, it will stay there forever.
The Bear may also have come when you need to look at yourself. This could be when you need “cave time” to listen to your heart instead of the 101 voices that, while well-meaning, all seem to think they know what’s best for you.
Find out what’s real. Then, go through it with Bear’s same sense of humor and pride.
Bear Totem Animal
If you were born with a Bear Totem or chose this strong, funny, and playful animal as your Totem Animal, you are naturally strong, sure of yourself, and good at being in charge.
Bear people roar when they’re in trouble and help their friends when needed. You might also find your calling in medicine, whether traditional or alternative. Bear Spirit is good for healing and getting better.
But that means you also have to take care of yourself, often by going on retreats to recharge.
One thing to keep in mind is that Bear people can get angry quickly. Make sure you don’t attack without a good reason. Your friend is wisdom.
Bear Power Animal
When your instincts seem a little off, ask Bear Spirit for help. Bear then becomes your guide on your journey to improve your psychic and emotional insight.
Bear can also help you find, acknowledge, and use skills you might not have thought you had. Let go of whatever is holding you back and learn from Bear.
Bear is a good Power Animal if you need to stay grounded and keep your feet on the ground. Bears have bowlegged legs, which help them keep their balance and grip tree branches better/not slip on ice.
In this way, Bear energy can help you get a grip, find your balance and walk with strength and confidence through any situation.
What Does the Native American Bear Symbolize?
Native Americans see the Bear as a powerful medicine that has special powers in areas like wisdom, strength, and healing. So much so that some tribes, like the Zuni, carry or wear Bear charms and fetishes for luck and keep Bear Spirit’s power with them at all times.
According to Pueblo tradition, the Bear watches over the western part of creation. Native legends often talk about Bear as an Animal Spirit who punishes people who don’t behave well.
The Chippewa, Creek, Algonquian, Huron, and Hopi are just some of the tribes that have Bear clans. Some tribes have a Bear dance that gives warriors strength and makes sure they can hunt safely. Lastly, the Bear is closely linked to the Medicine Man or Shaman in many tribes.
Bear as a Symbol of a Celtic Animal
In Celtic mythology, the Bear is one of many animal symbols tied together. Artio, the goddess of animals who took the form of a Bear, is one example. It is thought that hunters called on her spirit to keep them safe and help them do well. This animal spirit guide represented strength and power, even God’s.
At the Winter Solstice, people did a ritual to ask the Great Bear to keep them safe during the dark winter months. Also, the Celtic God Cernunnos is shown with bears in different pictures. Bear is the Primal Mother who guides and protects, so Bear claws were often used as talismans and amulets.
Celtic warriors who chose the Bear as their personal Animal Totem could draw on its power to protect their clan or tribe, get ready for battle, strengthen their will and emotional strength to stay in the fight, and pace themselves so that they could act at the right time.
Celtic warriors also saw bears as friends when dealing with people in power (in regional heraldry, Bears represent kingship, for example).
Dreams of a Bear
Bear dreams can mean many different things, depending on the type, color, and action of the animal, as well as the dreamer’s culture.
For example, in Arab communities, seeing a bear is a sign of a fight with a strong, active enemy. In Europe, it’s a sign of possible danger, and in China, it’s a sign of a son being born.
Overall, seeing a bear in your dreams means that you need to take back your space and place in the world. Before you do something out of habit that could hurt you, trust your gut and listen to your heart.
Keep Astrology and Zodiac Signs in mind.
One of the twelve Native American Zodiac Signs is the Bear. Click to learn everything about the Native American Bear Totem.
Bear in Chinese Astrology and the Zodiac
Bear isn’t one of the animals in the traditional Chinese Zodiac, but it is part of a constellation called Dou, which we call the Big Bear or Ursa Major. This grouping of stars stands for strength, courage, and male energy most of the time.
On the other hand, Taoists see Dou as the chief star goddess who represents dawn and light. Her abilities include healing through visualization, helping women give birth safely, and caring for people.
The Bear in Celtic Astrology and the Zodiac
Bear is the Celtic sign for the Alder moon, which runs from March 18 to April 14. If you were born during this time, you have a strong interest in the supernatural and a strong sense of sensitivity. You also have the primitive courage of a Bear and a strong sense of adventure.
Key meanings: a love of life, care for family, courage, and curiosity.
Bear in Aztec Astrology and the Zodiac
The Bear is not part of the Aztec Zodiac or the Aztec calendar. However, we know that Ursa Major is linked to the god Tezcatlipoca. He keeps an eye on warriors and may challenge them when they reach a crossroads.
Bear Symbolic Meanings Key
- What Does the Bear Symbol Mean?
- Diana and Artemis
- Bravery
- Element of Earth
- Humor
- Truths about you
- Playfulness
- Power
- Putting the soul to rest
- Healing by shamans
- The Will to Win