Bear tooth and claw: the most powerful. Amulets made from bear claws and fangs

The Seal of Veles is a Slavic amulet that has powerful magical properties. It was created in honor of the deity of the same name. Veles among the Slavs is the god of fertility and prosperity, brother of Svarog. All elements and all animals are subject to him. He can easily control them, so the ancient Slavs feared this god, but at the same time they revered and respected him. There are two types of amulets that are dedicated to Veles - these are the Bear Paw and the Wolf Paw. The choice of such images is not accidental. The fact is that God’s favorite forms on earth are the bear and the wolf. That is why amulets are depicted in the shape of their paws. They will be discussed today in this article.

The Seal of Veles amulet, as already mentioned, looks like a bear's paw. It is believed that the bear is the favorite form of the god Veles and in it he appeared to people most often. Meeting a paw print of this animal in the forest is a sign from above. It will bring good luck in business and prosperity.

The meaning of the amulet Seal of Veles in the form of a bear's paw is to resist evil forces. Such a talisman helps to avoid failures, troubles and illnesses. In addition, this amulet helps to achieve one’s goal, easily overcoming all the obstacles that stand in a person’s way. The owner of the amulet will be able to implement even the most daring plans, but only if they are good and do not belong to the realm of fantasy.

It is believed that any person who puts on Veles's talisman - the Bear's paw - becomes a child of this god. Just as any child is protected by his parents, so the owner of the amulet falls under the protection of this deity. The talisman protects against damage, the evil eye, evil rock and bad rumors.

In addition, the amulet helps to reveal hidden talents in a person. Therefore, it is often put on small children so that they can express themselves. In addition, it develops magical powers. Thanks to it, intuition is sharpened, which helps to make the right decisions and avoid dangerous situations.

It also gives a person strength and wisdom. It helps you achieve success at work and climb the career ladder or open your own business.

Seal of Veles Bear Paw - this is the amulet that is recommended to be worn by people whose activities are related to trade. He will help you successfully sell your products and develop your business. In addition, the talisman protects merchants from losses and ruin, gives reliable protection in outbound trade. He helps to bring the goods safe and sound to the place, sell it and return back with safe and sound proceeds. Therefore, this talisman was highly valued by merchants in Ancient Rus'.

This amulet can also be worn by representatives of law, government and order. These include police officers, judges, etc. In this case, the amulet will preserve the health and life of the owner both during and after work. It will protect you from attacks and persecution. He will not allow a person to commit rash acts and act contrary to the law.

The talisman can also be worn by people who practice magic. It will help increase strength and power. In addition, the amulet will help to establish a connection with Veles, which is necessary for the development of magical abilities.

Since Veles is the god of fertility, his amulet can be worn by people who are engaged in agriculture. It will give you a rich harvest that will be stored intact throughout the fall and winter.

As for who should not wear such a talisman, these include people with bad habits. These are alcoholics and drug addicts. In addition, it should not be used by people with evil and unclean thoughts. Veles severely punished such people, knowing no mercy. The talisman of this deity will also not have mercy on them; it will attract misfortunes and illnesses.

Initially, such a talisman was considered a purely male amulet. However, in our time, it can also be worn by the fair sex, but only if their character is too soft and lacks masculine qualities. It can also be worn by women in leadership positions. He will help you climb the career ladder even higher or organize own business. At the same time, work will not come before family. This amulet is not recommended for women with masculine character traits. The fact is that in this case he will destroy feminine began and the woman will forget that she is supposed to be a wife and mother.

Wolf paw amulet

As mentioned above, the wolf is one of the forms of Veles on earth. He did not appear in it as often as in “ bearskin“, but still, sometimes God chose this form too. Since the wolf leaves a mark with four fingers, the amulet is represented in the form of its paw with four fingers. This makes it different from the previous mascot. The bear's paw is depicted with five fingers. Since the wolf is one of the forms of Veles, it was also considered to meet his trail in the forest good sign, which brings good luck and wealth.

The meaning of this amulet is to protect the family from troubles and enemies. A wolf is an animal that knows no fear, always goes towards its goal, protects the pack and loves freedom. Therefore, it is recommended for people with these character traits to wear this talisman. Then he will give good luck and protection. In addition, the amulet will help you become a leader and easily and quickly achieve your goal. The Seal of Veles Wolf Paw has the same meanings and properties as the Bear Paw.

How to properly wear and charge the Seal of Veles

You can wear the amulet (both wolf and bear paw) in the form of jewelry. This could be a ring, earrings or pendant. Such an amulet does not have to be hidden under clothes. It can be put on display and this will not affect its magical properties in any way.

It is best to choose a silver amulet. The fact is that this metal will enhance the properties of the amulet.

Before you put the amulet on yourself, it should be cleaned. To do this, you need to draw water from a spring. If this is not possible, then tap water will do. Only it should be clean and cold. You should dilute a little salt in the water. Next, you need to put the amulet in it for 24 hours. After this, it should be dried and the water should be poured away from the home. The cleaning procedure will be completed.

However, for the amulet to start working, it needs to be charged. To do this, you should go to coniferous forest along with the amulet. You need to sit there for a while. At the same time, you need to constantly talk to the amulet. You can tell him what you would like to change in life, what your desires are, etc. You can read a special message to Veles. At the same time, God himself can be appeased by presenting him with good kvass or beer. When you feel the energy of the talisman, the charging is considered complete and you can use it for its intended purpose.

The amulet Seal of Veles is one of the most powerful Slavic amulets. He can give protection, wealth and glory, but only to people with a clear conscience. The main thing is to believe that it works and can change your life for the better.

In anticipation of the main material that concerns bear amulets and amulets, it is worth saying about the bear itself in the understanding of the ancient Slavs. The bear, as a sacred animal, has always been associated with the god Veles. It is also believed that not only Veles, but also Svarog and Perun can transform into a bear and appear in the form of this animal.

Despite the fact that this animal was sacred, totemic, there was a special ritual among ordinary people, hunters and magicians. This ritual can be called ritual murder bear Often such ritual hunts were conducted on almost equal terms. A man who was going to defeat a forest dweller took with him only a knife, a club or a spear. If the hunt was successful, then amulets and amulets were made from claws, fangs, and bones, which had special power.

It is impossible not to mention the fact that the bear is symbol of Russia. Everyone knows this. The bear is power, defiance, strength, wisdom. This majestic beast still appears on the coats of arms of cities. Every child knows fairy tales involving a bear. All these are echoes of the distant past - the veneration of the bear.

Moving on to the topic of bear amulets, let’s say that in our time a talisman does not have to be made from the bone of a real bear. This was relevant in the old days, but now it can also be substitutes, for example, made of wood, bones of other animals, metals and alloys in the form of various parts of the bear’s body - fangs, claws, paws, head, image, and so on. Such amulets can be purchased by placing an ad on adsend.ru, in specialized stores, or you can create them yourself. It is also worth noting that in our time, a talisman made of real bone a wild animal may seem blasphemous, especially since no one can vouch for how it was obtained...

What can characterize such a talisman? There are two sides to traditional ideas here. The first relates to the bear himself. That is, such a talisman endows its owner with bearish strength, endurance, perseverance, courage, and protects against all adversities and diseases. A bear's paw (real or made of some material, maybe even just schematically, figuratively) gives a person courage and endurance, protects him from predators, and protects him from witchcraft. The second refers to the god Veles. You can read more about Veles in the article ““. The amulet in this case can bring wealth, wisdom, Creative skills or strengthening these qualities. In addition, Veles is the master of the other world; he can protect a person with the help of powerful spirits from any adversity and misfortune. The army of Veles is the spirits that live next to us - brownies, banniki, courtyards and many others. Thus, the wearer of the bear amulet receives the support of these creatures. For this reason, there is a custom to hang a bear’s paw in a house or yard in order to protect the home and all household members from roaming spirits (noisy spirit, poltergeist).

Numerous archaeological finds fully confirm the fact that the cult of bear veneration was very widespread in ancient Rus'. In the burials of the Volga and Ladoga regions, amulets and amulets made from bear claws, bear paws, clay sculptures and items in the form of a bear were found. During excavations of the Tushemel settlement, a Chur was found, which crowned the skull of a bear and which symbolized Veles. Daggers were made from bear bones, which is also proven by numerous archaeological finds. These daggers were used for the most part not in everyday life or hunting, but for ritual purposes and funeral rites.

Finds related to bear claws and superstitions ancient man in the strength and power of this animal, in its supernatural abilities, relate even to such ancient times, like Neo-Chalcolithic. Thus, in one of the sites of Sakhtysh IIa, among other things (jewelry, beads, pendants, buttons, etc.), 40 bear claws, bear fangs with holes, and a molar were found that adorned the remains of people buried here. Bear fangs were also found in one of the shamanic burials in Northwestern Altai, dating back to Neolithic times. The same and many other amulets and objects made of bones, fangs, claws, bear skins, as well as bear figurines were found in numerous other burial grounds in the territories inhabited by the Slavs, the peoples of the Caucasus and other ancient peoples of the world.

Bear paws widely used for magical purposes and rituals. Witches and healers used such a paw to comb out illness from a person. Shamans of Khakassia and Altai believe that a bear's paw is the best mallet for a ritual tambourine, which has enormous power. Such a mallet was used to penetrate the lower world. The ancient Slavs hung a bear's head or skull in the stable to protect their horses from evil spirits. It is believed that shamans attached the fangs and claws of animals, including bears, to their clothes in order to intimidate evil spirits, although this is only an assumption. Most likely, the symbolism of the bear, wolf and other totem animals had another purpose.

bear claw. The bear claw was and is still used very often as an amulet and talisman. A bear's claw symbolizes almost the same thing as a bear's paw, only it is more convenient to wear and use. The claw will help you overcome the most difficult obstacles, it can help you cope with illnesses, and ward off disaster. In Tuva there is one interesting custom: when a hailstorm approaches, the owner of a house or yurt comes out and shows the clouds a bear’s claw, while emitting a loud whistle. They say that the hail immediately moves away from such a dwelling. Here, in Tuva, they use a bear's claw when they want a child to fall asleep. If a child cries and screams and does not want to fall asleep, then the bear’s claw touches his forehead and the baby immediately calms down. If an evil spirit has settled in a house or yurt and does not allow life, then the Tuvan goes around the house with a bear claw and all the evil spirits leave, frightened by the spirit of the sacred Bear. There is a saying here: “The happy yurt is the one in which there is a bear’s claw.” The bear's claw protects against the evil eye and damage.

Bear fangs The Slavs put it around the necks of children, hung it over the cradle with a baby, so that the spirit of the bear would protect the child, who could not yet stand up for himself. At the same time, the following words are said: “You are strong, you are not afraid of anything - come, help me! Come, make my child brave” or: “I call my child to guard (protect) you.”

The Nenets have a custom of making a lock for a barn or a room where things are stored, from a claw or fang, which is used for this whole and simply inserted into the openings instead of a lock. Not a single person who knows this custom will go into such a barn to steal, because, following the belief, the one who breaks the bear lock will sooner or later be caught by a bear. For the same reason, they made unbreakable oaths on the fangs, head, and skin of the bear. An oath on the skin, paw, head, skull, claws, and fangs of a bear was considered inviolable. Betrayal of such an oath could lead to great troubles, since the Bear-Veles was not only a dangerous and formidable forest animal, but also the patron of all earthly life.

In Tuva there is such a thing as Erens, who are guardian spirits of the house and household members. They are made by hand and resemble peculiar dolls. Erens are figurines sewn from leather or felt, to which pieces of bear fur, claws, bear teeth, and various ribbons are tied. Erens, as guardian spirits, can also represent simply dried bear paws.

Interesting uses of other parts of the bear's body, for example, bear hair. This wool was fumigated for those suffering from fever and demonic disease, which affects women in labor. The bear, and therefore the smoke that comes from its fur, can repel these diseases. Bear jaw used for a special Slavic ritual associated with childhood illnesses. For example, a sick child was dragged through the jaws of a bear. This ritual helped to cleanse oneself from various diseases, since, having passed through the jaw, as if through a special gate, the child was, as it were, reborn and cleansed, while all diseases were eaten by the spirit of the bear. We also received information that for courage and determination, the child was given the right eye of a bear to wear.

There is a belief that whoever eats bear heart will get rid of all the diseases oppressing him at once. The ritual of eating a bear's heart existed not only among the Slavs, but also among the American Indians, who believed that eating a piece of a raw bear's heart (grizzly) acquired unprecedented courage, as well as prudence and invincibility in battle, even unequal ones. Such warriors are said to have the heart of a grizzly bear. The American Indians also had a custom of wearing bear claws as a symbol of strength, courage and protection.

Among the Slavs, the bear, like its divine personification itself, Veles, was associated with the lower world. Therefore, the skin and paws of a bear often accompanied funeral rites. Together with the dead people, they buried the skin with its paws, so that in the next world the spirit of the bear would help them overcome all the difficulties that would arise on the afterlife, so that it would lead the dead directly to the kingdom of the dead.

Charms, talismans, and amulets have long been used by people to protect themselves and their loved ones from various misfortunes. They were worn as decorations, hung on the walls of their homes, and kept in secluded corners. These magical objects were used so often and everywhere that without exaggeration they can be considered part of the culture of the ancient Slavs. Any object or image of a symbol could serve as a talisman. For example, the claws or fangs of predatory animals are men's amulets, conveying to its owner the dexterity and strength of the animal.

A bear claw will bring good luck to its owner and add courage to him

A quite popular amulet was (and remains to this day) the bear's claw. People believed that the bear's claw amulet could attract good luck and protect against dark forces, give your owner courage and bravery. The Slavs also used this item to protect against negative magical influences.

Zoomorphic amulets

The amulets of the ancient Slavs, which represented a claw, a tooth, a piece of animal skin, personified the cult of a certain animal. Such things were most often used by hunters who believed that such a thing would give them the dexterity, strength, and increased ability to survive of the corresponding animal.

Later, images of animals on metal, glass or stone began to be used for protection.

Cult of the Predator

The bear is one of the main animals in Slavic mythology

The bear is one of the main Slavic symbols. The owner of the forest, possessing power, flair and authority, was considered a symbol of health, strength and fertility. The ancient Slavs believed in the origin of the bear from humans; as proof they said: take the skin off the bear and you will see a real person. The Bear's Claw amulet was believed to convey everything to the owner strong traits animal.

It was implied that the bear has a mind similar to a human, understands human speech and is only unable to respond due to physiology. The fact that this animal has at least one weakness - a love of delicacy, honey - was considered additional confirmation of the human qualities inherent in bears. The bear has always been classified as a so-called “pure” animal, that is, no evil spirits could take on its appearance. Meeting the owner of the forest was considered a good omen.

Bear claw - very strong amulet which was passed down from father to son

The cult of the bear among the Slavs is rooted in the distant past, and the amulet made from its claw has always been revered as a very powerful magical artifact. It was often passed down from one generation to another. They wore a bear claw amulet either on the neck, on the wrist, or on the belt.

It was believed that the bear is the patron saint of men, so the Bear's Claw amulet was most popular among warriors and hunters. The bear's claw was a symbol of creative forces, fertility and prosperity. Moreover, for the ancient Slavs the bear was not just an animal, it was revered as an intermediate link between reasonable person and natural forces.

Bear Claw amulet for boys

Amulets and amulets were such an integral part of the life of the Slavs that special ones were made long before the birth of a child. Most often they were made in the form. If a boy was expected in the family, then the amulet would certainly have a bear claw as part of it.

In some cases, simply a bear claw was used without any processing, in others it was integral part amulets, for example, of the same doll. For infant boys, the doll was usually made in the form of a paw, with a claw sewn inside it. This type of paw was most often hung over a baby’s crib.

The amulet was designed to protect the child from illnesses, slander, envy and anger. Growing up, the boy did not part with it, and wore it attached to his belt or around his neck, like a pendant.

Bear symbols

Although the claw was especially popular as a bear symbol, other parts of the body, such as the head, paw or piece of skin, were also often used. magical protection. For example, a head or paw was used to protect domestic animals from attacks by predatory animals. In this case, the amulet was placed in front of entrance doors in a pen or stable.

One should not think that the cult of bear symbols was characteristic only of the ancient Slavs; today these amulets are also popular, although they are not so widespread.

Anyone can make a talisman with the image of a bear paw

Currently, getting a claw or a bear's paw can become an insoluble problem for most townspeople. However, if you are interested in amulets that contain the power of the owner of the forest, you should not assume that such a magical item is inaccessible to you. You can make an amulet with the symbol of a bear paw. To do this, you need to find (definitely find, and not borrow from someone) a stone light color and stock up on black paint and black thread. An image of a bear's paw should be applied to the stone using permanent black paint. Then the stone must lie in the ground for a week, for this it needs to be buried. During these seven days it will be filled with the necessary strength. After this time, the amulet is taken out of the ground, attached to a black thread and worn around the neck.

A talisman with the image of a bear's paw will ward off the evil eye and get rid of damage

Astrologers recommend wearing such a thing around the neck, although there are no clear explanations for this recommendation. The bear paw symbol will ward off magical negativity directed at the owner and protect against dangers, diseases, human anger and envy.

Charms made from teeth, claws or pieces of animal skin are considered to be the most powerful as protection against directed magical negativity - damage, slander, the evil eye and other things. The person who makes such a talisman is protected by natural forces, against which magic does not have sufficient power.

In conclusion, I would like to remind you that while expecting protection and help from an amulet, you must, on your part, show respect for the magical object and treat it with special care.

Are you earning enough?

Check if this applies to you:

  • there is enough money from paycheck to paycheck;
  • the salary is only enough for rent and food;
  • debts and loans take away everything that is obtained with great difficulty;
  • all promotions go to someone else;
  • you are sure that you are paid too little at work.

Perhaps your money has been damaged. This amulet will help relieve lack of money

The bear, as a sacred animal, has always been associated with God Veles. It is also believed that not only Veles, but also Svarog and Perun can transform into a bear and appear in the form of this animal.

Despite the fact that this animal was a totem, there was a special ritual among ordinary people, hunters and magicians. This ritual can be called the ritual killing of a bear. Often such ritual hunts were conducted on almost equal terms. A man who was going to defeat a forest dweller took with him only a knife, a club or a spear. If the hunt was successful, then amulets and amulets were made from claws, fangs, and bones, which had special power.

It is impossible not to mention the fact that the bear is a symbol of Russia. Everyone knows this. The bear is power, defiance, strength, wisdom. Many believe that the bear is a symbol of indestructible paganism. This majestic beast still appears on the coats of arms of cities. Every child knows Old Slavonic fairy tales involving a bear. All these are echoes of the distant past, the veneration of the bear, the cult of the bear as the living embodiment of God Veles.

Moving on to the topic of bear amulets, let’s say that in our time a talisman does not have to be made from the bone of a real bear. This was relevant in the old days, but now it can also be substitutes, for example, made of wood, bones of other animals, metals and alloys in the form of various parts of the bear’s body - fangs, claws, paws, head, image, and so on.

What can characterize such a talisman? There are two sides to traditional ideas here. The first relates to the bear himself. That is, such a talisman endows its owner with bearish strength, endurance, perseverance, courage, and protects against all adversities and diseases. A bear's paw (real or made of some material, maybe even just schematically, figuratively) gives a person courage and endurance, protects him from predators, and protects him from witchcraft. The second refers to God Veles. You can read more about Veles in the article “God Veles”. The amulet in this case can bring wealth, wisdom, creativity or strengthening of these qualities. In addition, Veles is the master of Navi, that is, the other world, he can protect a person with the help of powerful spirits from any adversity and misfortune. The army of Veles is the spirits that live next to us - brownies, banniki, courtyards and many others. Thus, the wearer of the bear amulet receives the support of these creatures. For this reason, there is a custom to hang a bear’s paw in a house or yard in order to protect the home and all household members from roaming spirits (noisy spirit, poltergeist).

Numerous archaeological finds fully confirm the fact that the cult of bear veneration was very widespread in ancient Rus'. In the burials of the Volga and Ladoga regions, amulets and amulets made from bear claws, bear paws, clay sculptures and items in the form of a bear were found. During excavations of the Tushemel settlement, a Chur was found, which crowned the skull of a bear and which symbolized Veles. Daggers were made from bear bones, which is also proven by numerous archaeological finds. These daggers were used for the most part not in everyday life or hunting, but for ritual purposes and funeral rites.

Finds related to bear claws and ancient man’s beliefs in the strength and power of this animal, in its supernatural abilities, date back even to such ancient times as the Neo-Chalcolithic. Thus, in one of the sites of Sakhtysh IIa, among other things (jewelry, beads, pendants, buttons, etc.), 40 bear claws, bear fangs with holes, and a molar were found that adorned the remains of people buried here. Bear fangs were also found in one of the shamanic burials in Northwestern Altai, dating back to Neolithic times. The same and many other amulets and objects made of bones, fangs, claws, bear skins, as well as bear figurines were found in numerous other burial grounds in the territories inhabited by the Slavs, the peoples of the Caucasus and other ancient peoples of the world.

Bear paws were widely used for magical purposes and rituals. Witches and healers used such a paw to comb out illness from a person. Shamans of Khakassia and Altai believe that the bear's paw is the best mallet for a ritual tambourine, which has enormous power. Such a mallet was used to penetrate the lower world. The ancient Slavs hung a bear's head or skull in the stable to protect their horses from evil spirits. It is believed that shamans attached the fangs and claws of animals, including bears, to their clothes in order to intimidate evil spirits, although this is only an assumption. Most likely, the symbolism of the bear, wolf and other totemic animals had another purpose, besides this purely practical approach to the issue.

Bear claw.

The bear claw was and is still used very often as an amulet and talisman. A bear's claw symbolizes almost the same thing as a bear's paw, only it is more convenient to wear and use. The claw will help you overcome the most difficult obstacles, it can help you cope with illnesses, and ward off disaster. In Tuva there is one interesting custom: when a hailstorm approaches, the owner of a house or yurt comes out and shows the clouds a bear’s claw, while whistling loudly. They say that the hail immediately moves away from such a dwelling. Here, in Tuva, they use a bear's claw when they want a child to fall asleep. If a child cries and screams and does not want to fall asleep, then the bear’s claw touches his forehead and the baby immediately calms down. If an evil spirit has settled in a house or yurt and does not allow life, then the Tuvan goes around the house with a bear claw and all the evil spirits leave, frightened by the spirit of the sacred Bear himself. There is a saying here: “The happy yurt is the one in which there is a bear’s claw.” The bear's claw protects against the evil eye and damage.

The Slavs put bear fangs around the necks of children, hanging them over the cradle with a baby so that the spirit of the bear would protect the child, who could not yet stand up for himself. At the same time, the following words are said: “You are strong, you are not afraid of anything - come, help me! Come, make my child brave” or: “I am calling my child to guard (protect) you.”

The Nenets have a custom of making a lock for a barn or a room where things are stored, from a claw or fang, which is used for this whole and simply inserted into the openings instead of a lock. Not a single person who knows this custom will go into such a barn to steal, because, following the belief, the one who breaks the bear lock will sooner or later be caught by a bear. For the same reason, they made unbreakable oaths on the fangs, head, and skin of the bear. An oath on the skin, paw, head, skull, claws, and fangs of a bear was considered inviolable. Betrayal of such an oath could lead to great troubles, since the Bear-Veles was not only a dangerous and formidable forest animal, but also the patron of all Reality, earthly life.

In Tuva there is such a thing as Erens, who are guardian spirits of the house and household members. They are made by hand and resemble peculiar dolls. Erens are figurines sewn from leather or felt, to which pieces of bear fur, claws, bear teeth, and various ribbons are tied. Erens, as guardian spirits, can also represent simply dried bear paws.

Interesting uses of other parts of the bear's body, for example, bear hair. This wool was fumigated for those suffering from fever and demonic disease, which affects women in labor. The bear, and therefore the smoke that comes from its fur, can repel these diseases. The bear's jaw was used for a special Slavic ritual associated with childhood illnesses. For example, a sick child was dragged through the jaws of a bear. This ritual helped to cleanse oneself from various diseases, since, having passed through the jaw, as if through a special gate, the child was, as it were, reborn and cleansed, while all diseases were eaten by the spirit of the bear. We also received information that for courage and determination, the child was given the right eye of a bear to wear.

There is a belief that if you eat the heart of a bear, you will immediately get rid of all the diseases that oppress you. The ritual of eating a bear's heart existed not only among the Slavs, but also among the American Indians, who believed that eating a piece of a raw bear's heart (grizzly) acquired unprecedented courage, as well as prudence and invincibility in battle, even unequal ones. Such warriors are said to have the heart of a grizzly bear. The American Indians also had a custom of wearing bear claws as a symbol of strength, courage and protection.

Among the Slavs, the bear, like its Divine personification itself - Veles, is associated with the lower world. Therefore, the skin and paws of a bear often accompanied funeral rites. Together with the dead people, they buried the skin with its paws, so that in the next world the spirit of the bear would help them overcome all the difficulties that would arise on the afterlife, so that it would lead the deceased directly to the kingdom of the dead to the Gods and Ancestors.

The fact that the bear is a symbol of Russia is known almost all over the world. The bear is a natural symbol, the personification of the character of Russia, its history, nature, etc. The bear is depicted on the coats of arms of many Russian cities. He's a hero folk tales. But all these are only echoes of the mystical veneration that this beast enjoyed among our people. pagan ancestors. The bear is a symbol of unconquered paganism.

Having passed through the stages of deity and totem, the sign of the bear becomes a talisman, a talisman that carries traces of previous meanings preserved in folk memory.

Amulets made from bear claws and fangs

For our people, a bear is traditionally a sign of strength, and not evil and destructive force, but natural force, given by God. It is believed that the “feeling” inherent in bears is transmitted to the owner of the amulet or amulet.

"A pine needle fell in the forest. The eagle saw, the deer heard, the bear smelled."

By the way, the name amulet comes from Aryan roots - Ber is a bear, hence the den, takes, protect, shore, amulet. The recognition of his fangs and claws was associated with ideas of kinship with the owner of the forest, who had divine origin and was capable of patronizing people. magical attribute, preserving bear energy, and using them as amulets and signs of strength.

An ancient pagan amulet - a fang or claw of a bear is now hung around the neck as a talisman, a sign of strength, or as a key fob for a car; it protects against the evil eye and helps to concentrate in time and not let the situation get out of control.

In the old days, when a boy was born into a family, a bear’s claw was hung over the crib (from evil spirits and the evil eye, from illness and fear), and when he grew up, they hung it around his neck - “so that he would be healthy, strong and not afraid of anything.”


The bear's claw is considered the most powerful amulet! It is a symbol of a courageous warrior and a successful hunter.

Necklaces made from bear claws were very popular among the American Indians - it was believed that this talisman gave its owner strength and courage. The ancient Slavs wore bear claws and fur as a talisman against the evil eye and damage. The veneration of the bear among the Slavs is associated with the cult of fertility and the revival of nature.

The image of a bear was also a mandatory attribute of wedding ceremonies. In the beliefs of Russian Siberia, a bear's claw was used both to disrupt a wedding (the healer had to "scratch" the claw several times on the way before the train to church), and to bewitch, it was enough to scratch the chosen one with a bear's claw. According to legend, the claw of the bear's right front paw has extraordinary miraculous power: if a girl manages to secretly scratch her beloved guy with it, he will fall in love with her passionately.

Claws and fangs have been widely used as amulets and amulets since the Stone Age. For many peoples, the claw and fang are a talisman that has mysterious power. With a fang or claw, you gain an animal spirit as an ally!

Among the peoples of Siberia and the North, bear fangs were credited with the ability to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck to their owner.

For the Nenets, a bear's fang is protection from evil spirits, a kind of demonstration of strength, and good luck in the hunt. The bear fang (tooth) serves as a talisman for the Ostyak, saving him from disease and danger; it also has the ability to expose deception and deceit. Among the most necessary items in the taiga, knives and crosshairs, Khanty and Mansi hunters wore bear fangs on their belts, guarding the owner “from the back.”

The Nanai addressed the bear fang with the following words: “You are strong, you are not afraid of anything - come, help me! My child, come, make him brave” or: “I am calling my child to guard (protect) you,” and they hung the fang or claw to the cradle. There have been cases when a mother, when the child was worried, turned to the pendants of the cradle with a request to guard and protect the baby" [Ivanov S. 1977, p. 89]. Men wore a fang on their belts, women on their necks. When going to bed, men put the belt under their heads. It was believed , that in this way their sleep was protected by the spirit of the bear, protecting them from all misfortunes.The bear's fang also protected them from back pain.

The cult of the bear is also known among all the peoples of the Caucasus. An Ossetian bear claw or fang was nailed to the doorframe of a house so that evil forces could not penetrate the house. A bear skull should have been hung at the entrance to the house to protect the home from evil spirits. For the same purpose, the bear's claw and tooth (fang) were hung on the child's cradle. The Ingush used bear claws to make amulets: they were believed to bring good luck. The Karachais were recognized bear hunters. Dangerous hunt She gave skins for bears, from which they made bear coats (ayu ton), and also laid the skins of the animal on the floor.

The Abkhazians removed the skin from the dead bear, which they then carefully tanned, taking the bear's fang and right shoulder blade. The skin of a bear became a talisman of health, wealth and fertility. They used the shoulder blade to tell fortunes and determine the future. The bear's fang was used as an amulet to prevent misfortune, attacks on hunters and wild animals on domestic animals. Often, the Circassians (Adyghe, Kabardians, Circassians) put bear claws in the cradle of a child, the strongest amulet; it was kept under the mattress in the child’s cradle so that the child would grow up as strong and strong as a bear.



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