Bear Symbolism and Meaning
healer ~ protector ~ fearlessness

Bear Symbolism...   

• Symbolic Bear Meaning & Bear Symbolism
• 9 Spiritual Meanings of the Bear
• Spiritual Meaning of Bear
• Native American & Celtic Bear Symbols
• Bear symbolism in dreams & Bear video

What does the Bear symbolize?

"Bear invites you to embrace your power, the power of your Spirit".  

Bear symbols bring mythical energy of supreme strength and fearlessness, carrying an aura of dominion and authority, and because of this the Bear totem is legendary for raw power and fierce strength.

Bear Meaning ~ 
 Spirit Animal & Totem Animal Attributes . . .

Bear has many secrets to share that are just as extraordinary as his power, among these are the spirit animal attributes of protection, guardian, fearlessness, healing, grounding, rest, retreat, strength, boundaries, survival, dominion, authority, illumination, introspection and dream-time.

The Bear spirit animal personality represents "standing your ground", or standing for what's rightfully yours, and standing in your power.

We are breathless and captivated by his presence when we see him from afar, but to happen upon him in the woods, ahhh that is not for the weak of hearts.   

Bear totem animal teaches the laws of boundaries, both for self and for others.  Bear does not hide his intentions, he has a firm agenda to to maintain his territory and boundaries.  

Through myth and lore, the mythological Bear is presented to us as the cave bear, a spirit animal of protection. 

The Bear cave is symbolic of ancient mysteries, and a womb of many secrets, among these secrets is the secret of inner power

Bear animal totem guide will lead you on a journey of introspection, into the deep caves and caverns where he will guide you to sit with yourself, to meditate in silence and stillness. 

It is here in the cavern with the spirit of the Bear that you must learn to be comfortable alone with self and Spirit, until the moment that visions begin to play upon the fields of your mind, this is the vision quest. 

•  vision quest where your true power will come to you in vision and in dream-time 

• The Bear spirit animal is symbolic of a deep long sleep, and invites you to take a long meditative rest, perhaps a sojourn to restore your energies and reserves
  
  

 ~ 9 Spiritual Meanings of the Bear ~
Bear Medicine &  Bear Totem Energies...

Bear symbolism brings the totem gifts
meditation, sweet indulgence, dream time

Bear symbols and spirit animal medicine
 strength, ferocity, protection

Shamanic powers of Bear  
  dream-time, vision quest, healing

Bear medicine teaches to enjoy the sweetness of the journey . . . 
symbolizing the importance of rest and retreat  

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Bear Symbolism Video ~
 I love the insights that Laura shares with us!

The spiritual meaning of Bear 

Bear is a great spiritual teacher and a legendary symbol of healing and protection. 

The spiritual meaning of Bears healing medicine teaches that in order for you to get what you want you must first and foremost overcome your fears, laying down your ego so that your inner power of spiritual vision can be awakened.

Symbolic Meaning of  Bears

• Each and every bear carries a unique symbolic energy or frequency because each is unique in Spirit and each bear has distinct needs for survival, diet and terrain 
• Some Bears live and thrive in the mountains, some near the sea, some live in the coldest parts of our planet
• When you contemplate the essence of Bear symbolism, think about where and how the bear lives, what the Bear needs, how the Bear might "feel"
• Connecting to the Bear in these ways will give you deeper understanding of what the Bear is speaking to you, and has come to teach you  
• Meditation, introspection and illumination are traditional symbols for bears in general
  
• Bear is frequently represented on a totem pole, to bring the blessings of Bear symbolism and her powers of protection and guidance to the whole of the tribe

Black Bear Symbolism
The Black Bear is found traveling high in the mountains. Black Bear is a symbol of living off the land, being resourceful.  Another healing medicine that Black Bear symbolism shares with us is the gift of aromatherapy as it can smell the cache of honey from miles away.

Brown Bear Meaning 
The meaning and symbols for Brown Bear are the ability to appear from nowhere, and to stand your ground, the Brown Bear roams the mountains in the Alps, and is now a symbol of the Alps.

Grizzly Bear Meaning
Grizzly Bear symbolism is that of coming out of the cave and facing your deepest fears, Grizzly Bear has the medicine of a valiant warrior.  Grizzly Bear is known for it's prolific fishing abilities in Alaska, meaning Bear medicine is a powerful totem for creating abundance for oneself and bountiful provisions.   Grizzly Bear can be a good medicine for a fisherman.

Kodiak Bear Meaning
The Kodiak Bear has a presence of a warrior.  The symbolic meaning for the Kodiak Bear totem animal is ferocity, and is a symbol to beware; as it is among the fiercest of animals one can encounter.

Koala Bear Energy
The Koala is not actually a bear, but we call it that so much that it does have significant energies tied to Bear Symbolism and Bear Spirit Animal.  The Koala Bear totem animal is a beautiful symbol of nurturing, gentle spirit and of the bond between mother and child.

Panda Bear Essence
The adorable Panda Bear is a symbol of knowing the virtue of patience, and balance of yin yang energies

Polar Bear Energies
The massive Polar Bear totem animal has an affinity for water, and ice and of being invisible --- being hidden in plain sight.  There is a symbolic message and meaning of certainty with the Polar Bear, and he/she is a survivalist of the truest sense.

Sun Bear Traits
Sun Bear symbolism brings the medicine and meaning of observation,
caution, foresight and wisdom

Teddy Bear Symbolism
The Teddy Bear is a symbol of love and affection, taking away the pangs of loneliness as well as as protection.  Every child loves to sleep and carry with them their favorite teddy bear, and recent studies have shown that 30-40% of men take a teddy bear on their business travels

Bear Cub Attributes
A Baby Bear is called a Cub.  The Bear Cub symbolizes being fiercely loved and protected, knowing that Mama Bear will protect and defend  relentlessly and with indomitable strength, force, might and spirit this gives the Bear Cub tremendous courage and confidence, something that it will carry with itself for it's entire life.

Mama Bear Energy
Mama Bear knows her strength well, she has been given strength and courage beyond compare.  She will fearlessly overtake a male when necessary to protect her cubs, these are her innocent treasures and her greatest  gifts from the Great Spirit of Bear,  She continues to give rebirth to the legend of the Great Spirit Bear with every cub that is born to her, and with every cub born the energy of Great Spirit Bear glows brighter. There is no better symbol of protection or feeling protected than that of the Mother Bear.  

Sleeping Bear Symbolism
The sleeping Bear is symbolic of a sleeping giant, If disturbed, the sleeping Bear awakens and his protective instincts take over and his ferocity unleashed, it is best to let sleeping Bears sleep, take heed do not test yourself against the Sleeping Bear. 

Bear is fearless, an indomitable spirit and force

See Bear Spirit Animal Tattoo Ideas 

See Bear Spirit Animal Art Prints

Bear Symbolism in Dreams: 

To dream of Bear symbolizes the energy of Bear can bringing blessings of strength to overcome the fears you may be holding deep in your subconscious.   

In the presence of Bear ~ even in your dreams ~ be cautious, make no sudden movements.  Bear is ready to lunge into attack if he or she feels at all threatened.    If you look directly in Bears eyes, Bear will consider this a challenge.  Without looking directly into the Bears eyes, ask why Bear has come to you, what does he/she want to teach you.

Bear fears nothing or no one, so it is Bear that can most definitively teach us to overcome fear.

To dream of Bear means to be very aware of your surroundings, and to listen to your intuition regarding your surroundings and those who may be in it. 

If you dream of Mama Bear this means she has cubs nearby and she is ready to challenge any intruder who poses a threat.  You may be being shown how to take a stance to protect your little ones, or encouragement to do so - not letting others meddle, making you second guess yourself.    You may be being shown to extend more patience with your little ones as well.

Bear dream meaning if Bear is chasing you  

If you dream of Bear chasing you, Bear is chasing you to face your fears, chasing you to confront the very thing that you are running from.  

If you dream of Bear in hibernation, you are being guided to go into personal hibernation or dream quest.  You may be needing rest for the soul so that you may gather new strength and energy, and be ready to receive new guidance and vision.   

Bear symbolism reminds us
of our ever present fierce inner power 

Celtic Bear Symbolism & Meaning 

According to the Celt's mythology the Bear was a symbol of the primordial spirit of protection.  Connected deeply to the rhythms of the seasons, bear sleeps in the winter and awakens just as the plants begin to spring forward for a new cycle of life in a new season.  In this way, bear teaches us that it is a necessary part of life to follow and honor the rhythms and cycles of the Earth, and in doing so this helps ground us and find our own primordial power. 

Bears no longer roam the Emerald Isles, but their legends of power have been carried on in Celtic designs.

Bear can come as a reminder of the importance of life balance.

A great paper was written on animal symbolism in Celtic mythology by Lars Nooden for the University of Michigan which you might find very informative.

Native American Bear Meaning

In many Native American traditions, the Bear is a symbolic embodiment of Great Spirit, the creator and master of the Universe.

For the Native Americans, Bear is also a great symbol of courage, conquest and incredible physical strength.  

Bear is also a symbol of a protector and conveys great authority.

Bear walks fearlessly knowing he reigns the woods and meadows, all others make way for he or she to pass.

The claws of a bear have been worn as symbols and amulets of protection, often carried in "medicine bags", where collected and found treasures were kept and revered, giving whoever found it the ability to tap into the power of the bears spirit.  These items connected the Native American with the animal throughout their lifetime and perhaps beyond.

Today we do not collect these items, but rather collect and record the presence felt about the animals we feel connected to; our totem, spirit and power animals.  We hold the great symbols of their power in our hearts, asking them to walk beside us, to guide and give is wisdom when we need it to face and overcome our personal challenges.

~ In Summary ~ 
A List of Powers & Symbols for Bear Symbolism:

1. Embodiment of Great Spirit
2. Power
3. Protection / Protector
4. Authority
5. Leadership
6. Grounding
7. Shamanic Healer
8. Fearlessness
9. Physical Strength
10. Introspection
11. Dream - Time
12. Overcome Fear
13.  Warrior Spirit 

Bear Symbolism appears for you ~ guiding you to tap into the infinite power that is within

Bear Symbolism by Presley Love