May 7, 2020

Did you know that the Ancient Mayans had spirit animals? My spirit animal is a Grizzly Bear. Beautiful but frightening. Protective but playful. Fearsome and fatal. Because they are majestic predators, I choose the Grizzly Bear, which symbolizes dominion and authority. For this reason, California’s flag features a Grizzly Bear as its emblem. Interestingly, the last Grizzly ever seen in California was shot by a hunter in 1922.

These big, brown, bulky creatures are great hunters themselves and usually eat fish and other animals, such as Deer, Sheep, Moose, and sometimes other Bears, as well as berries and leaves. Conveniently, Grizzlies have long and sharp claws for digging and killing. Bears, who sometimes get in territorial or food disputes with other predators, like Cougars, Mountain Lions, or Wolves, are somewhat endangered.

During the winter months, male Grizzly Bears hibernate from November to March and females from November to April or May. As they may seem cute as infants, soon these monstrous carnivores will be limb-tearing, meat-grinding beasts. Bears are bold and courageous, and that is why I choose them as my spirit animal.