Humankind has forever had a connection to the bear. The earliest known religions were those of the bear cults. Evidence of ritual burials and reverence of bear remains has been seen in nearly every culture in the world.

• Scandinavian Mythologies

Berserkers and wild men of the north.

• Greek Mythologies

Beliefs of ancient greece.

• Names of Respect

Many cultures found a spiritual kinship with the bears, and speaking the name of the animal would bring swift retribution from the gods.

• Ainu bear ritual

  The Ainu people felt deeply connected to bears.

• Ursa!: The Bears in the Sky

  Many people saw the patterns of stars that look like bears...