Perhaps our ancestors had been inspired by the bear’s surprising agility and intellect, or maybe it’s just the fact that bears sometimes stand upright, on their back legs.īears have long been believed, by various cultures, to be symbols of power, strength, and to some extent, magic. The Ostyak people of Siberia even allegedly referred to bears as ‘four-legged man’ and ‘fur man’. The idea of humans taking on the shape of bears – or the other way around – is surprisingly prevalent across cultures. Zeus intervened, turning both of them into constellations – Ursa Major and Ursa Minor.
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One day Arcas, who was unaware of his mother’s fate, came upon Callisto the bear and shot at her. When Zeus’ wife Hera found out, she transformed Callisto into a bear in a fit of jealous rage. Callisto was Zeus’ lover who gave birth to his child, Arcas. Perhaps the most famous bear-related myth is that of Callisto, in Greek mythology. This widespread prevalence of bears means that they appear in a number of mythologies, usually as peaceful creatures treated with respect and even reverence. Various species of bears appear in most areas of the world, including the continents of North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. These immense, majestic beasts have given rise to tons of beautiful, meaningful tattoo designs.
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Just as the lion is known as the king of the beasts, the bear is known as the king of the forest. Looking for some bear tattoo ideas? These tattoos are sure to inspire you! Check out some of the coolest bear designs around.įrom mighty beasts to cute teddies, a bear tattoo is capable of expressing a range of meanings and ideas.