The bear is a symbol of good will, heroic strength and clumsiness but also of malice, brutality and greed.
In many traditions, it is regarded as the king of animals, and it is a totem animal, which embodies the connection between heaven and earth. It was often considered as an animal ancestor of man. Shamans often use a bear mask to promote contact with evil spirits. In the traditions of American Indians it means supernatural strength, endurance and hurricane. In China it symbolizes strength and courage. The Greeks dedicated the bear to the goddess Artemis and Diana, and also as an attribute to Atlanta and Euphemia.
The women, who took part in the ceremonies presented by Artemide, were called "bears" and wore yellow clothes, imitating the bearskin. Diana turned Callisto into a bear. The Japanese bear symbolizes kindness, courage and strength. The Ainu bear is a cultural hero and divine messenger. The Teutons dedicated it to the god Torah.
The Atlas bear represents the female principle, and the Utley bear – the male principle. In the Bible, the bear is a symbol of paganism, which represents the sin of gluttony.
In alchemy, the bear meets the matter before it reaches a state of equilibrium.
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