The image of a bear is a unique image. It carries several very different feelings: tenderness, aggression, kindness, and great strength. Bear tattoo means:
- the beginning of life's journey;
- strength;
- fortitude of character.
Tattoos are very popular among men and women. Girls often choose a tattoo in the form of a teddy bear, and guys - in the form of a ferocious big bear.
Bear tattoos come in different varieties. The bear's grin, which makes the animal aggressive, and the bear's cute smile, which inclines towards good feelings, are also popular. Despite its impressive size and ferocious appearance, the bear often carries within itself tenderness and affection.
Bear tattoo
To understand the meaning of a tattoo, a man must first understand the animal’s lifestyle, its vision in different folklore and cultural movements. Initially, such an animal was stuffed onto the skin in Celtic tribes, then the bear was a symbol of warriors and a female symbol of childbirth. Much has changed since then, but there are also interpretations that have been preserved in the original version.
The most popular bear tattoos, meaning for guys:
The polar bear is a symbol of spiritual loneliness, fearlessness, love of life, as well as the desire for longevity. A polar bear can become a talisman that protects a man from death.
Brown bear - if the animal is in a calm state, it represents peace of mind, reluctance to argue, conflict, fight, wisdom and strength.
Grizzly - the owner of such a tattoo always copes with difficulties and assigned tasks, there is no fear of danger.
A bear with a grin is a symbol of masculinity and courage, readiness to fight with any enemy and ill-wisher.
A roaring bear is a symbol of danger, rage and ferocity; it is better not to conflict with such a man.
The bear's paw is a mystical symbol implying the presence of superpowers, nobility and military valor.
The bear is a symbol of childbirth, fertility; it is stuffed by men who want to start a large family.
A bear with a closed mouth - most likely, the owner wants to completely change his lifestyle and get rid of bad habits.
Panda - this design is applied to the body by creative people who have a rich inner world, kindness, and positive thinking.
The Russian bear is a symbol of good luck, luck, courage and greatness of the owner; the animal is the patron saint of hunters, giving men courage and courage.
Bear tattoo: meaning and historical meaning
There are many legends, myths and stories about the bear in different cultures. In Eastern mythology, it was symbolized with masculinity and strength. The Japanese attributed such qualities to the bear as wisdom, patience, and justice. In Celtic culture, it was associated with motherhood and the feminine principle. The grinning bear was the emblem of Celtic warriors, which protected them in battle and reminded them of home.
Religions - Christianity and Islam - give the bear a very unpleasant dark meaning, hinting at the greed, vindictiveness and cruelty of this animal. Do not forget that the bear is the national symbol of Russia. There are many situations in Russian fairy tales when this strong animal was a symbol of male courage, courage and kindness.
What does this tattoo give to a man?
Among the Celts, a tattoo with a bear meant a symbol of military courage and courage for men, and childbirth and fertility for women. This animal was also associated with rebirth, the beginning of life from scratch. Until now, many men who want dramatic changes put a bear tattoo on their body.
Northern peoples more often killed polar bears, thereby showing their readiness to defend their territory from strangers. Among the Vikings, such tattoos were used to mark successful warriors who had merits and achievements in battle. Since then, rumors have spread that warriors with bear tattoos had superhuman power, strength and courage.
In Egypt, only pharaohs, half-gods, half-humans, had such tattoos.
And among Indian tribal leaders and rulers, such a symbol acted as a talisman and talisman, demonstrating a special title. Today, some men get such tattoos to demonstrate their courage, determination, intelligence and nobility. Others stuff the beast in order to awaken similar qualities in themselves. For reference! In esotericism, the most powerful and mystical symbol is not the tattoo of the bear itself, but its paws. Many people with superpowers wear such tattoos on their bodies.
Where do men get bear tattoos?
The place where the artist will place the tattoo is another way to reveal in detail the meaning and significance of such a design. Since the bear personifies the courage, strength, combat readiness of a man, his inner core and intelligence, most often the bear is pricked on the back, shoulders and chest. Hands are also popular, but bears are rarely depicted on small areas of the body.
Shoulder
A man’s shoulders are a symbol of their reliability and safety, which means that tattoos with a calm bear will look harmonious here. It will personify self-confidence, one’s own actions and decisions, peace of mind and harmony. But if necessary, the owner of the tattoo will be able to stand up for himself and his loved ones.
Examples of such tattoos:
Forearm
You can depict any format of a bear tattoo on the forearm, it all depends on the man’s goals. If this is a talisman, I stuff the animal’s paw marks; if this is a way to enhance strong character traits, I stuff the bear in an active position; if it’s a way to achieve harmony and self-confidence, I stuff the animal in a calm state.
Examples of such tattoos:
Wrist tattoo
Hands are responsible for a man’s influence on the world around him, creativity and work. This means that there is no point in tattooing an aggressive animal on the wrist. Drawings of bear paws or eyes, as well as positive versions of such tattoos, for example, a panda or a geometric sketch of a bear, can guide you on the right path.
Examples of such tattoos:
Tattoos on the palm, hand and fingers
The hands are the energy center of creativity, so a bear tattoo in this place can differ significantly from standard ideas. This could be an ornament, geometry, ornament, symbolism of a bear on the hand. Tattoo designs that can influence the future and fate of a man are inked here.
Examples of such tattoos:
Tattoo sleeve
If a man wants to demonstrate to those around him that all the qualities and strength of a bear are hidden in him, despite outward calm and non-conflict, he can fill his entire arm with a bear tattoo. Thus, the owner warns that at any moment he can fight back, and if the bear grins, this is a kind of protest.
Examples of such tattoos:
Neck
Tattoos with the image of a bear on the neck are a demonstration of a man’s courage, wisdom, high intelligence, and openness towards the outside world. At the same time, the man does not imply any aggression, anger, or desire to enter into conflict. If a bear is pinned on the back of the neck, it can be a kind of amulet against evil people.
Examples of such tattoos:
Breast
This area of the body involves the image of a large drawing with a bear; here you can place not only the animal itself, but also the background, other details and symbols. In this way, a man tries to be noticeable in his surroundings. Also, the chest is an area close to the heart, which means the meaning of the tattoo will be associated with love affairs.
Examples of such tattoos:
Side
The side of the torso will look harmonious with bear tattoos if the man has a toned and sculpted torso. If the bear is on the side of the heart, its designation will relate to matters of the heart and family. On the other hand, a man can thereby use the animal to imitate him.
Examples of such tattoos:
Hip
In the thigh area, men are less likely to get tattoos and to a greater extent they relate to intimate aspects of life. If the bear is active and aggressive, perhaps it means a man's energy and great sexual potential. A calm bear can mean a man’s stability and loyalty to his chosen one, his willingness to protect and protect her from ill-wishers and difficulties.
Examples of such tattoos:
Back
This part of the body is responsible for a man’s ability to defend himself from enemies and intruders, and a bear tattooed on the back can be a warning to such people. The man thereby shows his ability to repel any attacks, and also hints that for all his outward self-confidence and calmness, there is also aggression in him. He tells women that he can become a reliable protector.
Examples of such tattoos:
Spatula
In this place, the tattoo should carry a very personal and hidden meaning, understandable only to the man and his immediate circle. Most often, a bear will mean a man’s mental loneliness, suppression of aggression and anger, internal protest, disharmony of anger and justice, etc. Tattoos are applied between the shoulder blades that carry philosophical or religious overtones.
Examples of such tattoos:
Leg
Putting a bear in the form of a tattoo on your leg is a decision only an extraordinary and confident man can make. If it is an aggressive grinning animal, it can be an indicator of determination and readiness to fight in any dangerous situation. If the animal is calm, it symbolizes male stability, a strong position and steadfastness.
Examples of such tattoos:
Meaning
Traditionally, the bear is considered a masculine animal, as it personifies power, strength and power, and it is not for nothing that it is called the king of the forest. It is men who prefer to get a bear paw tattoo, as it carries the following meanings:
- new life, resurrection;
- power and resilience to life's problems;
- courage and power;
- self-confidence and courage;
- connection with wild nature.
At the same time, a bear paw tattoo can carry both positive and negative energy. For example, if a bear’s claws left a bloody mark on the skin, then this is a symbol of courage and aggressiveness, and if the paw is depicted softly, it represents the beginning of a new life or initiation.
In Celtic mythology, a bear, and specifically a she-bear, signifies tenderness and motherhood, so women can also stuff a bear’s paw in honor of the birth of a child or due to other circumstances.
Among the Indians, as well as among the Russians, the bear is revered for its greatness and ferocity in tense moments, although, in fact, it is a rather peaceful and calm animal.
Are there guidelines for getting a bear tattoo?
Before you decide to impale a bear, decide exactly what you want to do, select a sketch, and a place to apply it. Remember, that:
- large tattoos or entire compositions are suitable for large areas of the body (back, chest, forearms, arms and legs);
- medium-sized tattoos with a moderate amount of detail and shading look harmonious on areas such as elbows, hips, shoulders, palms and hands;
- small drawings in the style of minimalism, inscriptions and symbols look impressive on the neck, fingers, wrists, ankles or the back of the head.
Expert opinion
Viola Madison
Tattoo artist, 8 years experience
When choosing a place for a tattoo and a sketch of a bear, a man needs to maintain proportionality. A small pattern will look sparse and faded on a large area of skin, and conversely, floral realistic compositions with detail will not be so watchable on small pieces of skin.
How to choose a tattoo design for a location on the body?
A bear is an ideal tattoo for a strong and courageous man. If this is a small design, it would be appropriate on the lower back, forearm or ankles of the lower extremities. Relying on the size and type of tattoo, they select the optimal place on the body for application. For example, to depict a head or paw, a shoulder would be more suitable.
A wild animal against the backdrop of a dense forest is an excellent choice to completely cover arms or legs with a sleeve, as well as decorate a man’s sculpted back. The bear's head, representing strength and power, can be applied to the shoulder or chest. The entire bear canvas is more appropriate on the back; you can immediately combine it with another animal.
How do you feel about a bear tattoo on a girl’s body?
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Bear tattoo: meaning among different nations
Traditionally, the symbol of Russia is the image of a bear; it personifies courage, strength and power. There are many legends and traditions associated with this predatory and at the same time kind beast. As for the traditions of China, in this country the bear means majesty, courage and power. Representatives of Japanese culture include the concept of knowledge, endurance, nobility and justice. Since ancient times, the Greeks and Romans could not imagine the bear without its desire for hunting and fertility. As for the inhabitants of America, they considered the bear to be an omnipotent and fearless animal that could overcome all kinds of natural disasters.
Christians see the image of a bear as a representative of a dark, otherworldly force, a greedy and ferocious predator. The drawings of a bear embossed on the body of the Egyptian pharaohs were applied to indicate absolute monarchical power; none of the ordinary people had a bear tattoo, they were not entitled to it. And so, the concepts of a bear are contradictory. Everyone worships the animal, despite the fact that it looks huge and scary, but by its nature it is an affectionate and gentle animal. If a tattoo lover decides to decorate his body with a polar bear tattoo, then he definitely wants to focus on his loneliness, his desire to live, destroying all obstacles on the path of life. A bear's paw means strength and power, and the remaining traces of the beast's claws mean valor and nobility. A bear's roaring head symbolizes anger and aggression. After choosing a tattoo, the main question that arises is where to place the design. The most successful areas of the body for placing a tattoo are the chest, shoulders, shoulder blade, and legs. Often, a bear in tattoos is depicted the same as it is in real life, but for this, the artist must skillfully work with paints and shades to make the drawing as “alive” as possible.
Styles and colors that are popular for bear tattoos
Tattoo styling can significantly change the same sketch into radically different designs. Today, the following styles are most often used to apply a bear tattoo:
realism - the most believable drawing;
Celtic style - reminiscent of ornaments and symbolism;
geometry – looks effective on small areas of skin in a small size;
old school is a bright and colorful sketch, as can be seen in the example photo.
The main colors for bear tattoos are black and white or a color design with red, green, blue, brown, and yellow colors.
Men's bear tattoos: description of meaning
If you look carefully at the bear tattoo designs, you can see how diverse they are. But representatives of the stronger half of humanity prefer to choose drawings of a more aggressive kind. Even if they decide to stuff a cute teddy bear on their body, they will definitely put a dagger in its paw.
For men, it is best to get a bear tattoo in the following styles:
- realistic;
- Polynesian;
- Celtic
Abstractions with lines of different types look good on the male body. If we talk about body parts, then a bear tattoo for men looks best on:
- breasts;
- shoulders and forearms;
- back.
Where is the best place to get a tattoo?
Tattoos should only be done in specialized salons. You need to choose a master with experience in applying such drawings. If the question arises where on the body it is best to get a bear tattoo, since this is a complex design, the following places are most often chosen:
- back;
- breast;
- shoulders;
- forearms;
- hands;
- shoulder blades.
When choosing a tattoo design and a place to apply it, take into account the fact that it will be possible to hide the tattoo in an inappropriate place and circumstances.
Popular places
When choosing a design for a Bear tattoo, think about which area the image will be tattooed on. So, for small drawings, wrists, ankles, calves, a place on the neck or behind the ear are suitable. Large, eye-catching images are made on the back, chest, shoulders, and hips. To fill the sleeve, the composition is built vertically, trying to fill the space with large elements.
What style of tattoo do you prefer?
Examples of bear tattoos that are not recommended. Their significance in the criminal world
Most tattoos depicting bears can be interpreted in a different context in the zone and among people serving a sentence. Therefore, before getting a tattoo, think twice about what unambiguous opinion may be formed about you. The list of unwanted bear tattoos includes the following types:
bear's paw - can be interpreted as an indicator of a “bugbear,” that is, a thief;
a bear with an ax - a thief in law, a person serving a sentence for theft or burglary;
the grin of a bear - the owner of such a tattoo may be perceived as an unfriendly and dangerous person;
skull is an inappropriate combination of a bear, as a symbol of rebirth, and a skull, a symbol of death.
