Bear in heraldry

Arms of Portein, Switzerland

The bear is a common charge in heraldry, perhaps inherited from its totemic use among Germanic peoples and by some interpreted as symbolizing strength, cunning and ferocity in the protection of one's kindred. Numerous cities around the world have adopted the bear in their arms, notably the Swiss capital Bern, which takes its name from the German for bear, Bär. The bear is similarly the name-emblem of Berlin, through false etymology (Bärlein means 'small bear'), although in fact the city's name descends from a Slavic word for swamps.

In Switzerland, the heraldic bears in a coat of arms had to be painted with bright red penises, or would be mocked as being she-bears. In 1579, a calendar printed in St. Gallen omitted the genitals from the heraldic bear of Appenzell, nearly leading to war between the two cantons.

The saddled bear of Saint Corbinian's legend is the heraldic symbol of Freising, Bavaria, and the Diocese of Munich and Freising. Pope Benedict XVI, former archbishop of Munich, also applied it in his Papal Arms.

In the Anglophone heraldries bears' heads, usually muzzled, are probably more common than the whole beast. But the beast itself does appear cantingly in the arms of Berwick-upon-Tweed Borough Council. A demi bear appears in the crest of Lawson in Canada. A grizzly bear, with wings, appears as a supporter in the bearings of Norris also in Canada. Canada, with a large arctic area, also unsurprisingly has armigers with polar bears in their bearings. Chimerical half-bear, half-ravens appear as supporters of the Canadian Heraldic Authority.

Bears' heads are quite common in Scots heraldry (though probably not explained by the totemic use of bears by Germanic peoples), but they also turn up in other Anglophone heraldries as in the badge of the English borough of North Warwickshire; civic heraldry in Warwickshire abounds in bears (usually with staffs).

The Berlin Buddy Bear

The Berlin Buddy Bear

Arms of Sarpsborg, Norway

Flag of California, USA

This bear with a friendly smile has become Berlin’s new landmark. With the Buddy Bears, the centuries-old heraldic animal of Berlin took on a new shape and adopted a new role: The bears are a cheerful welcome for Berliners and their guests as well as ambassadors promoting tolerance and living together in peace all over the world.

See also

• Myths and legends of Bears
• Russian Bear