In the culture of any country where the bear is found as a species, it is a very important symbol. In the esoteric tradition, it represents resurrection and cyclical, in the mythologies of the peoples of Europe and Asia (rare unanimity) force, courage, success in the hunt.
In the era of totemism the owner of the forest was worshiped as ancestor, it was considered especially honorable for the tribe to lead their family from the bear.
The ancient Slavs had a special attitude to the bear. The master and keeper of the forest was so respected, that they never uttered a word to describe him directly, only figuratively - "he who eats honey". Therefore, the original name has not even survived in Russian.
The use of a drawing of a bear has an ancient tradition. In the past, wars put it on shields to gain the power of the bear in battle, but now it is often applied directly on the skin - make a variety of tattoos with this animal.
What does the Bear signify as a symbol?
A tattoo with a bear can signify virtually any quality that people give or have ever given to this animal. The most obvious meanings are.
- strength;
- courage in battle;
- rage and aggression;
- success in the hunt;
- resurrection and the cycle of life;
- protection;
- protection of offspring, protection of children (then stuffing the bear);
- ability to survive in difficult conditions;
- patriotism (if we perceive the bear as the Russian national animal);
- high social status (king of the forest);
- The symbol of the bear's paw (according to the ancient tradition of pagan magical beliefs, it brought good luck in military affairs to its owner) and the like.
Cultural and historical roots of the meaning of the Bear tattoo
The bear is a frequently encountered character in myths and legends, but each nation endowed it with different qualities.
The ancient Celts made the bear a symbol of strength and power. Warriors put his image on the body and shields. At the same time, the bear was revered as a symbol of fertility, maternity and femininity.
In Chinese epos, the predator embodied strength and power, dominance and courage. In Japan, the bear is a symbol of wisdom and fair judgment.
In ancient Egypt and India the beast was associated with undeniable power.
North American Indians in some tribes worshipped the bear as a deity and shamans made tattoos with this predator.
In Russia, the bear stood for courage and good luck, a cunning and lucky hunter.
Bear imagery in Islamic culture has a negative meaning, the beast is considered a symbol of evil, vengeful spirits.
Bear tattoos from the Vikings symbolized militancy and heroism.
The meaning of the Bear tattoo for men
Men more often do such a tattoo to declare their strength, courage, bravery, patriotism. But in this meaning, the tattoo is already difficult to call exclusively male.
Girls who appreciate these qualities also make such tattoos.
Originally and traditionally masculine meanings of this tattoo are meanings tied to professional activities or hobbies.
The military and people working in law enforcement agencies, as well as any men whose profession is associated with fighting and displays of brute force, with pleasure apply to themselves such a picture. Therefore, it is not uncommon with the "bear" on the skin come back after service in the army.
Hunters, too, can make a tattoo as a tribute to the "master of the forest" and to attract good luck in their business.
What does a bear tattoo on a man's body mean?
The meaning of the Bear tattoo for men is strength and power in the first place. The tattoo emphasizes masculinity moral and physical strength, the ability to fight. Often the image of this predator speaks of the ability to overcome any obstacles. Drawing with the claws of the bear symbolizes nobility, heroism.
Tattoo with a bear can mean an inflexible and authoritative character.
The meaning of the tattoo "bear grin" - courage and bravery, willingness to defeat any opponent, to destroy the enemy. And drawings of this beast with a closed mouth choose those who are ready for drastic changes.
Often the tattoo of this predator symbolizes the beginning of a new stage in life, a revaluation of values, the desire to start everything from scratch.
Men who get tattoos with a bear, which is in the native element, peace-loving, emphasize their calmness and judgment, wisdom.
The meaning of the Bear tattoo for girls
In addition to the standard strength, courage and patriotism, which can also be the ideals of women, there is also a tattoo that is traditionally female. More specifically, it is a tattoo of a bear and cubs.
Almost everyone knows how important to the bear is her offspring and that for the life of her cubs, she will fight even badly wounded, to the last drop of blood. So in this kind of tattoo with bears will symbolize the care of the family, love for children and the ability to fight for their happiness.
For girls
Representatives of the weaker sex prefer tattoos with peaceful species of bears. Very often among female tattoos there is a bear with a cub, the meaning of which is care and love for the family and symbolizes the feminine.
Playfully looks applied to the waist tattoo of a teddy bear or animal muzzle on the shoulder blade. In general, girls prefer to apply images of bears in the form of fairy tale characters and plush toys.
The meaning of the Bear Eyes tattoo
The bear is an animal that can symbolize and good-natured tolerance of the world, almost holy reclusiveness of the forest dweller. This totem animal, like all totems, has a dark and light face. So, the image of a grinning bear is a representation of its dark side. The grinning bear is
- the way of the warrior;
- the ability to fight (literally or figuratively);
- aggression;
- the need for an enemy to defeat.
Such a tattoo is suitable only for very temperamental personalities, with a pronounced masculinity.
Although tattoo designations are very conventional, and a person may have an individual perception of the symbols, grinning will always be perceived by others as an aggressive statement of one's power.
Bear's Paw
For many peoples of the world, the bear was a sacred animal. For example, the Indians of North America have always admired the strength of this creature and its ability to hunt. The bear's paw was used to mark the most successful warriors and hunters. In modern culture, this symbol still has the meaning of of nobility and valor.. Some people still believe in the protective character, which has a sign of a bear's paw: he allegedly protects against enemies and helps in battles.
The meaning of the Bear tattoo in the zone
The symbolism of prison tattoos lies a bit apart from the conventional symbolism of the tattoo. The image of a bear on a person serving time will indicate that he is serving a sentence for theft. A specific kind of theft that involves breaking into safes. This ironically plays on the fact that a thief who breaks into safes is called a safecracker in prison slang.
We must admit that in some ways, a bear cub and a bear cub are exactly alike - if they want to take something, it will be difficult to stop them.
In conclusion, it can be said that the application of such a characteristic, strong tattoo requires the owner to at least strive to conform, otherwise it simply loses its sacred meaning.
Meanings of tattoos depending on what kind of bear, and where it is depicted
The meaning of the tattoo "bear" on the shoulder (especially on the zone) speaks of the dominant position of the person, the desire for power. As a rule, drawings with the head of this animal are made on the shoulder.
On the wrist or on the part from it to the elbow will look great tattoo with the predator on the background of the forest.
Usually tattoos with the image of peace-loving bears do on the chest, which symbolizes kindness and wisdom.
The drawing on the back speaks of the physical and spiritual power of the wearer.
The meaning of the tattoo varies depending on which bear is depicted:
- The white bear is a symbol of solitude, fearlessness. He speaks of a lover of life, and the ability to survive under any circumstances.
- Grizzly bear represents determination, the ability to cope with the enemy, to solve any problem.
- Roaring brown bear symbolizes aggressiveness and a fierce disposition.
- The panda symbolizes good-naturedness and positivity.
- Tattoos with koala prefer optimists.
Everyday Life
If you decide to get a tattoo, you should always, firstly, weigh the pros and cons. Secondly, you must find out what the tattoo stands for in different cultures, subcultures, on the zone. Let's go back to the bear example. An unpleasant and sometimes dangerous situation can arise if you are greeted with such a tattoo by a person who has been in prison.
Some will behave appropriately, while others may start a conflict. A former inmate may ask you if you have been in prison, and if not, why you wear such a serious tattoo. The "hit-and-run," uncomfortable moments can begin. The person may simply not understand your motivation regarding the imposition of such a tattoo. You need to be careful here.
In addition, in no case should you make yourself a prison tattoo (in this case - a bear) consciously - for "poncey". The prison world is a very special place, and even if you're a former convict, you're going to pay dearly for that contrived kind of nobility. Again, the tattoo must be chosen very intelligently and carefully.
There's no need to try to be something you're not. And finally, if you see a tattoo of a bear on your new acquaintance, you need to be careful and understand whether the person was in prison and is a "bear thief" (and possibly a thief in the law) or not. On this basis, it is worth building your communication with him.
