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Bears are a bold spiritual symbol of strength, courage, protection, and healing. They can represent family and motherhood, in addition to renewal and solitude. Bears have appeared in mythological traditions worldwide, from Native American and Norse to Celtic and Slavic tales. Read ahead to find out all about what makes bears special as symbolic creatures across cultures and belief systems.
Bear Symbol Meaning: At a Glance
- Strength: Bears are traditionally associated with strength, self-knowledge, and courage.
- Healing: They are seen as healing and nurturing guides (often with supernatural powers) in Native American-Navajo traditions.
- Protection: Bears are symbols of protection, especially where the natural world is concerned.
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References
- ↑ https://www.spiritanimal.info/bear-spirit-animal/
- ↑ https://youtu.be/TPACu2YZ86c?si=MtVQcuRJ_hWTw2LP&t=13
- ↑ https://youtu.be/TPACu2YZ86c?si=sfglM5cLWSeSvQcK&t=20
- ↑ https://www.spiritanimal.info/bear-spirit-animal/
- ↑ https://youtu.be/TPACu2YZ86c?si=gqK-K61HJdLjHGCW&t=26
- ↑ https://abigailgranner.com/2020/11/01/what-mama-bear-really-means/
- ↑ https://youtu.be/awIF3Zi4Igc?si=ylLmeW7k54yMXiSa&t=26
- ↑ https://www.expressionsoftheuniverse.com/bear-animal-totem-spirit-a-shamans-journey/
- ↑ https://museum.santarosa.edu/zuni-bear-carvings
- ↑ https://www.unco.edu/hss/anthropology/pdf/mcbeth/bear-is-our-protector.pdf
- ↑ https://ehrafworldcultures.yale.edu/cultures/rx02/summary
- ↑ https://animals.mom.com/symbolic-meanings-bear-chinese-culture-8866.html
- ↑ https://druidry.org/resources/the-bear
- ↑ https://www.laits.utexas.edu/sami/diehtu/siida/religion/bear.htm
- ↑ https://www.laits.utexas.edu/sami/diehtu/siida/religion/bearjw.htm
- ↑ https://www.pathoftheancestralmothers.com/thegreatbearmother/
- ↑ https://www.gutenberg.org/files/54616/54616-h/54616-h.htm
- ↑ https://peecnature.org/ursa-major-and-ursa-minor/
- ↑ https://www.1517.org/articles/the-misunderstood-story-of-bear-attacks-a-bald-prophet-and-forty-two-mouthy-kids
- ↑ https://spiritualityvibes.com/spiritual-meaning/animals/mammals/bear/
- ↑ https://spiritualityvibes.com/spiritual-meaning/animals/mammals/bear/
- ↑ https://spiritualityvibes.com/spiritual-meaning/animals/mammals/bear/
- ↑ https://spiritualityvibes.com/spiritual-meaning/animals/mammals/bear/
- ↑ https://spiritualityvibes.com/spiritual-meaning/animals/mammals/bear/
- ↑ https://my.astrofame.com/clairvoyance/article/bear-spirit-animal
- ↑ https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/berserk
- ↑ https://www.cosmopolitan.com/lifestyle/a42267991/dreams-about-bears/
- ↑ https://www.thecut.com/article/dreams-about-bears.html
- ↑ https://www.spiritanimal.info/bear-spirit-animal/
- ↑ https://www.expressionsoftheuniverse.com/bear-animal-totem-spirit-a-shamans-journey/
- ↑ https://youtu.be/TPACu2YZ86c?si=lj8bRBCuXrpe-aHW&t=73
- ↑ https://www.rbth.com/history/330484-russian-bear-became-symbol
- ↑ https://thetreeographer.com/2017/09/01/the-bear-and-the-strawberry-tree/
- ↑ https://www.library.ca.gov/california-history/state-symbols/