150 bear tattoos: best designs and meanings

Bears are more than just adorable toys sold in stores around the world. Shamans of the indigenous peoples of North America believed that bears served as a link with the spirit world, and performed many rituals in their honor. In the cultures of Northern Europe, the god Odin was often depicted as a bear.

The ancient people wore bear skins and bones because they believed that this would allow them to absorb some of the physical and spiritual forces of animals. Bears have long been associated with the indigenous peoples of North America, who viewed these animals as incredible warriors, displaying incredible strength, courage and power in the face of adversity.

Among the Sioux peoples, the bear was associated with healing and medicine. Legends say that a sick bear was cured by eating the leaves of a certain plant. He was so pleased with this sudden improvement in health that he began to extol the plant's medicinal properties to his Sioux brothers.

The meaning of a bear tattoo

For many, bears have a set of characteristics that mean different things depending on who wears the tattoo. Most often, bear tattoos symbolize:

• Force
• Bravery
• DEF
• Motherhood
• Bravery
• Spirituality and deep connection with nature
• Force
• Trust
• Resurrection (bears appear in the spring, after a long period of inactivity)

Bear tattoos in different variations

From the vibrant colors of the Haida (Native American tribe of North America) tattoo designs to intricate Japanese-style tattoo designs, the components of bear tattoos can contain countless cultural elements. Most popular bear tattoos:

1. Haida bear tattoo

Haida bear tattoos come from America's oldest indigenous tribe, the Haida, which is native to British Columbia, Canada and Alaska. In this culture, the bear personifies motherhood, protection, spirituality and wisdom (the animal is usually associated with its former parent). Hyde bear tattoos come in red, green, or black.

2. Teddy bear tattoos.

It's hard to imagine a world without this adorable toy these days. The teddy bear was named after US President Theodore Roosevelt because of the story that he refused to kill a young black bear while hunting. Fate wanted the toy to be created by two independent firms on both sides of the Atlantic: American Morris Michtom and German Steiffs. Teddy bear tattoos represent love, affection and innocence; they are the symbol of childhood par excellence.

3. Tattoos of claws and prints of bears.

Hip-hop artist Eva is known for the distinctive bear prints she tattoo on her chest. Tattoos with bear marks and claws represent good luck, stability, strength and mobility.

4. Tribal bear tattoos.

Tribal tattoo designs have great spiritual significance in the regions from which they originate. While the exact meaning of each tribal symbol has faded over time, bear tattoo designs generally symbolize spirituality and a deep connection to the nature and / or culture of the native people of North America.

5. Tattoos with Celtic bears.

Celtic-influenced bear tattoos are deeply rooted in spirituality and paganism. Wearing a Celtic bear tattoo usually represents your connection to natural elements, a strong connection to Irish traditions, and your spiritual side.

Different bears

a) Panda tattoos

Pandas are the rarest and most famous bears in the world. Panda tattoos represent good luck, harmony and balance. Pandas have long been associated with the Yin and Yang symbols in Chinese legends due to their distinctive black and white clothing. ( See 96 Panda Tattoo )

b) Black bear and grizzly tattoos

Black bears and grizzly bears have a lot in common, such as the fear they cause in the hearts of people and animals. If you wear one of these tattoos, it means that you strongly identify with the mighty warlike bear spirit. The difference between these titans is mainly in the coat color of each species: grizzly bears are brown and black bears are ... uh ... black.

c) Polar bear tattoos

Polar bears are of cultural and spiritual importance to the indigenous peoples of the Arctic. In Inuit culture, the polar bear is the earthly embodiment of the Great Spirit Tuurngasuka. The Eskimos honor these animals for their excellent hunting skills, and the Siberian Nenets believe that wearing a polar bear's tusk protects against harm. The Eskimo and Inuit tribes have countless legends about the bears' devotion and love for their cubs. This is one of the reasons Coca-Cola uses the polar bear in many of its Christmas advertising campaigns.

d) California bear tattoos

The California bear was placed on the flag of its eponymous state in 1846, after a group of pioneers took control of the Sonoma Mexican garrison. At the outbreak of the war with Mexico, pioneers proudly waved a hand-sewn flag featuring a California bear, a star, and the words "Republic of California." The design became a symbol of freedom and independence in honor of the settlers.

e) Koala tattoos

Koalas are cute and quiet animals known for their calm demeanor and teddy bear appearance. In Aboriginal culture, koalas are the keepers of the earth's memory, emerging from the depths to bring wisdom to humans. They then climb trees to keep watching them. Koala tattoos represent connection with the earth, calmness, wisdom and protection. ( See 27 koala tattoos )

f) Cartoon bear tattoos

Most of the cartoon bear tattoos symbolize happy childhood days and feature popular bear characters such as the adorable Winnie the Pooh. These tattoos give us the most nostalgia.

g) Tattoos of the Gloomy, dark bear

Dark Bear (Gloomy) is a popular Japanese character created by Mori Chax. Gloomy often attacks his friend Pitty and everyone who meets him on the way. He is always the loser in his many arguments.