Cartoon Bear Tattoos

Teddy Bear Tattoo

Paddington Bear Tattoo

Care Bear Tattoo

Winnie the Pooh Bear Tattoo

Blue Bear Tattoo

Bear Tattoo Meaning

Of all the beasts in the animal kingdom, bear tattoos probably have the richest and broadest symbolism across time and cultures.

In Ancient Greece and Egypt, the Great She-Bear was found in the Ursa Major (“Big Dipper”) constellation, and was believed to be the incarnation of the Goddess Artemis (Greek) or Diana (Roman).

In the Old Testament, the bear symbolized cruelty and evil influence, and was used to represent the King of Persia, who brought death to his peoples. Later, Christian artists co-opted the bear as a positive symbol. Ancient lore stated that bear cubs were born shapeless, and were given form by the mother bear. In Christian symbology, this was used as a metaphor for reform and regeneration.

Across Europe, the bear was a symbol of warfare for the Celts, was considered an ancestor to the Lapps (who called it “grandfather”), and became the national symbol of Russian.

The bear probably had the greatest influence on Native American tribes. Though the bear walked upright like a man, it was viewed as a supernatural being, and sometimes as a god. For the Pueblo Indians, the bear represented hunting, battle, and healing. For the Sioux, it was second only to the bison as a totem animal. The bear represented Wind Powers, and stood for the whirlwind, confusing your enemies, curing powers, and the ability to find things.

For the Native American, the bear was a symbol of self-reflection. Its annual hibernation in a cave was symbolic of our need to use silence to hear the voice of the higher self. The bear represented both the feminine powers connected to earth and creativity, and the masculine powers of strength, courage, persistence, invulnerability, and observation. It was commonly associated with vision quests, and many believed that bears were once people who formed their own spiritual tribe.

If you get a bear tattoo, you may wish to think about what type of bear to use. The common Black bear (which can be black, brown, cinnamon, or blond in color) is the least aggressive of the species. It is clever, and has excellent vision and hearing, but would rather climb a tree than engage in conflict. If your reason for getting a bear tattoo is to symbolize power tempered with wisdom, this might be the route to go.

Find The Perfect Bear Tattoo

Bears have grown to become very popular in tattoo art recently due to their broad and rich use in symbolism throughout history and culture. Around 500 BC, the bear was used by the Celts across Europe as a symbol to represent war. In the Old Testament, this magnificent creature was used to symbolize evil influence and cruelty. In Christian symbolism, they were viewed as a positive representation of reform. In Ancient Greek and Egypt, it was believed that the Great She-Bear of the Ursa Major Constellation (The Big Dipper) was the incarnation of the great Goddess Diana or Artemis.

Bears have also been used extensively in Native American culture. For some tribes, they were used to symbolize battle, hunting, and healing. For other tribes, this symbol denoted the whirlwind which was used in times of war to confuse ones enemies and for medical and healing purposes. Some tribes viewed them as supernatural creatures and some even as Gods. Their annual hibernation was an expression of the need for silence and self reflection. The quiet of the cave was a symbol of the quiet of the heart.

Another reason why these tattoos have such diverse meanings and designs is the diversity amongst these creatures themselves. Bears such as the Kodiak and Grizzly can be used to symbolize immense strength, power, and danger. Polar bears in tattoo designs are rare and unique. With the current crisis this species is facing, a design incorporating this bear might be used to signify the last of a dying breed, to create awareness, or to symbolize hope. Other members of this family include Black bears and Pandas.

For anyone considering a design with a Koala, just remember that a Koala is not really a bear but actually a member of the marsupials. Finally, there are "teddy bear" tattoos which symbolizes "cute" I think.

Bear Tattoos

Bear tattoos are commonly depicted in two different manners, one being fierce and ready to strike with an open mouth, and secondly as a more endearing and lovable bear design. No matter what style of bear tattoo you decide upon, there is no doubt that bear tattoos in general are some of the most beautiful and breathtaking of all designs, if you are a bear lover of course.Enjoy a quick look