Bear Folklore and Legends

I was recently chatting with someone about the protective nature of teddy bears as talismans for kids — especially those who might have trouble with sleep disruptions — and it occurred to me that this a good time to repost this short article I wrote years ago, which is no longer available on the About/LearnReligions network.

There are many animals associated with magical myths and legends throughout a variety of cultures. The bear may be one of the most widely recognized animals — from the plains tribes of the Pacific Northwest to the travelers of the Russian steppes, the bear has appeared in folklore for a very long time. Let’s look at some of the symbolism and legend surrounding the bear.

• A number of Russian folktales include the bear as a symbol of strength and power. In many cultures, it is believed that if a hunter kills a bear and eats its heart, he will take on all of the courage and strength of the bear.
• In parts of Britain, there was an old superstition that if a child could ride on the back of a bear, it would be protected from various diseases, particularly the whooping cough — there’s no clear explanation on how the child was supposed to get on and off the bear safely in the first place, or what bears have to do with whooping cough.
• There’s an indigenous group in Finland that sees the bear as a sign of immortality. If they kill one during a hunt, they perform a chant over it asking for its forgiveness. This way, the bear will not seek revenge on them in the afterlife. Interestingly, some Native American tribes also see Bear as an immortal being.
• An Appalachian folktale says that if bears go into their dens to hibernate early, then it’s going to be a long, hard winter. If they wait and go in later, the coming winter will be mild.
• Wear a bear’s tooth around your neck, or sleep with it under your pillow, to prevent toothaches. Bear fat rubbed on the skin is said to relieve general aches and pains, and when applied to the scalp, can help prevent baldness.

The bear is typically associated with courage and power in a magical context, in addition to the idea of grounding and stabilizing forces. If you connect with the bear, either as a power animal or simply because you wish to take advantage of the magical connections, consider these ideas:

• Invoke the bear when you need confidence, courage and strength.
• Call upon the bear for assistance in workings related to grounding and stability – this includes times when you have to stand against obstacles that are not of your own making.
• Carry a bear tooth or claw — ethically obtained, of course — as a protective amulet.
• In some magical traditions, the bear is associated with fertility — if you’re trying to conceive, consider making an offering to bear spirits.
• Enchant a teddy bear for protection against sleep disturbances, nightmares, or psychic attack.