The bear is an eternally popular animal tattoo motif most used as a symbol of strength, confidence, and fierce protection. A Bear tattoo idea can also be linked to conservation, growing up, relaxation, and medicine.

Bears are admired for their physical strength as well as being representatives of both the brutal and gentle aspects of nature: the mother bear, for example, is a tender parent but a fierce protector of her cubs.

You can find all kinds of bears roaming the wild that are incorporated into body art – from the large grizzly bear and black bear tattoo to more abstract concepts to the (comparatively) gentle panda bear.

For some collectors, a bear paw or bear claw tattoo might be the tattoo style choice they are looking for, incorporating the bear symbol into a culturally significant tribal bear tattoo design or geometric tattoo.

The following story examines the major symbolic meaning that permeates bear tattoo design, as well as some of the conceptual, stylistic, and technical approaches to capturing the bear spirit in body art pieces.

1. Tribal Bear Tattoo Art

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Though bears are often seen as wise sages, they can be ferocious warriors, melding traditional aspects of care, protection, and wisdom with characteristics of power, strength, and savagery.

This makes different types of bears popular as an animal totem in a variety of tribal tattoo styles. 

Bears have been represented in almost every culture, from the Old Testament and ancient Norse mythology through to extensive representation in Native American folklore.

Siberians viewed the bear to be one of their forefather’s spirits, while Korean mythology has been said to see bears as past ancestors.

Norse mythology believed that Odin, the god of healing, knowledge, battle, sorcery, and death, was often accompanied by a bear.