The spirit animals will appear to a person when we need a guide in this journey we call life. They will help us understand how our energies are connected to different creatures.
For instance, you can feel associated with the bear spirit animal. This animal will be your witness to the path you will take and your guiding light when you feel like things are uncertain.
Meaning of Bear Spirit Animal
Regardless of how you encounter this animal, whether it appears in your dream, sees it in the walking life, or shows on TV, you need to listen to your instinct and understand its connection to the divine realm.
Bear is often associated with spiritual awakening. This animal is telling you to be more aware of your spiritual side. Here are more possible meanings of this spirit animal.
Strength
Bear is the representation of power and strength. Besides their power, bears are also fast, despite their massive size. There are species of bear that has an average speed of 30mph.
While they may not be as fast as the other creatures, it is still commendable considering their size. Bears are not essentially designed for speed.
They are creatures with exceptional mobility and strength. Their limbs can create a tremendous force, more powerful than other creatures with longer limbs.
Seeing this creature means that you possess strength more powerful than what you realize. You are not always aware of it, but you should learn to acknowledge it.
It teaches you that compromise and diplomacy will not always be practical; you must assert your position through dominance and power. Consequently, you should also use your strength to protect the weak.
Bravery and Protection
You’re probably aware of how the papa or mama bear can be extremely protective of their young. The mother bear will be ready to go a mile to ensure its cub remains safe.
The male bear will also be willing to enter a death battle to protect his territory. This can remind you how you can be highly protective of the people you love. However, you should not just stop there.
You should also protect your vision, ideals, goals, and convictions. You should also protect your peace and personal space.
While it may be good for you to socialize and be friendly, there should also be a limit. Avoid associating yourself with people who will make you feel uncomfortable.
Being Spontaneous
Bears have this super-focused nature, especially when they are pursuing something. There have been a lot of reports when this creature is hunting for food, and it appears to be unaware of its surroundings.
However, sneaking up on them when they are concentrated will make them angry. Seeing a bear as your spirit animal could mean that you are being too serious in life that you’ve already forgotten how to be spontaneous and fun. You should find time to lighten things up; otherwise, you will be overwhelmed.
Patience
This creature is known for working extended hours when searching for food. While there are times that these animals are capable of hunting large animals, they will mostly choose smaller prey such as salmon and rodents since it has a lower risk.
Bears are known for being hunters; they patiently wait for their prey for hours before ambushing them. Seeing this creature will remind you that tenacity and patience will help you achieve the things you want.
It also suggests that you should hone your skills and crafts. This will take a lot of practice and time to reach a certain level of perfection.
Be Brave to Try New Things
While most people see the bear as ferocious carnivores, they are omnivores. For instance, the black and brown bear will eat fungi, grass, herbs, nuts, berries, etc.
This animal teaches us that we don’t necessarily have to devour meat to gain strength. It wants us to be more open-minded.
Never be afraid to try new experiences and be open to opportunities. It could be the time for you to get out of your comfort zone and branch out.
Bear Omen
The bear will carry different messages depending on its type. The details of the situation wherein you meet them could also influence the meaning.
Cultural significance also plays a crucial role in interpreting the purpose of this creature. For instance, in Middle East countries, meeting a bear means that you will soon encounter a powerful foe, while in Europe, you could be involved in a dangerous situation.
IN East Asia, bear means that you will soon be blessed with a son. Here are more possible messages that this creature wants you to know.
Meeting a Bear Outside Your House
This is a rare situation; however, there have been incidents when it happened. This could signify that someone or something inside your household is making things difficult for you.
A Talking Bear
If you’ve seen an animated movie of a talking bear and you feel like you made a strong connection with this creature, remember the words that made a powerful impact on you.
There’s a chance that you could be telling this to yourself for a long time. This could be related to something important in your life.
An Injured Bear
Seeing an injured or a trapped bear could be related to a part of you that you have suppressed intentionally. Perhaps you thought before that this is a liability holding you back. However, it is time to free this part of you.
Brown Bear
If you see a brown bear, it means there will be an opportunity for you to start something. You will significantly benefit from this new project.
Black Bear
You should be more mindful of the action of other people and understand their real motives. This can also be associated with your spiritual awareness. This could provide insight into how some people will act in the future.
Bear Symbolism
Bears are not usually encountered, giving them this mystical vibration. Even the things associated with them have some mythological connotations.
For instance, the bear’s cave was believed to offer divine protection. It is the representation of our inner wisdom and power. Here are more symbolism of the bear in different cultures.
Bears in Native Culture
Different indigenous tribes in North America regard the bear as this universe’s creator, the source of life, and the divine protector.
Some tribes believe that when their Great Spirit or the spirit of their ancestors need to establish a connection to the physical realm, they will take the form of a bear.
Moreover, the different parts of the bear have made some significant contributions to their culture. For instance, the bear’s claw could be transformed into an accessory. The warrior will usually wear this to protect them from dangers.
Celtic
Bears are also present in the stories of Celtic and Anglo-Saxon. For instance, one of their Goddesses, Artio, is known for being a bear goddess.
Sometimes she will be depicted as a bear or a deity with a bear. Some folklores state that the Great kings are descendants of this creature.
Nordic Mythology
The Norse Mythology tells the story of berserker warriors who are going to the battle while wearing the bear’s skin.
They believe it grants them the animal’s strength and ferociousness. Thor, the God of thunder or lightning, is also linked to the bear. It is also depicted as the protector.
Sami Tribe
In another Native American tribe, the bear was believed to have the power to move between the spiritual and the physical world.
Interestingly, while these tribes revered the bear, they would hunt them without mercy and use their coat and head in ceremonies.
Finland
In the Finnish culture, they believe that bears reincarnate through the body of a woman. For this reason, old folks will often warn girls to stay away from the deceased body of the bear. The Finns are also filled with stories about honey-loving bears.
Nivkh
IN this native Russian tribe, they will capture bear cubs in the wild and raise them like their own son. After a few years, they will dress this animal in a fancy costume and slaughter them. They will then eat the meat of the bear.
The shaman will witness this ceremony. They have this belief that this will help calm the spirit of the animal. They think that the soul of the deceased bear will return to the mountain god.
Conclusion
Bear Spirit animal also possesses modern symbolism. For instance, polar bears have been closely associated with global warming. As the temperature increases, the habitat of this creature also shrinks.
Having a bear tattoo shows the world that you are a protective and brave person. It may also mean that you are different when surrounded by the people you love.
If you feel like this creature has a strong connection to you, it may mean that this animal is calling you to help save them. Different species of bears are currently being threatened with extinction. We need to do our part to help save this animal.
Thank you for taking the time to read this article !