Recently my mother told me she'd been holding onto several bear claws for some while and that she wished to turn them into jewelery pieces. Of course I told her that I knew someone capable, Sheri. She did a piece for each of us.

My mother's piece is pictured above. With leather, gold, and small pieces of amber. She also had a small matching bracelet done. Please forgive the lesser quality of those pictures, as they were taken with a phone. The gold wire wrapping on the tooth itself is a tree of life!

My piece is much more traditional. Bone beading, turquoise and gunmetal fashioned into a traditional choker. I could not resist modeling it, complete with some very bare tribal markings historically typical of Chetco women (which if you've read other posts, you are aware I am).



Wearing a bear claw necklace traditionally meant protection and good health to the Indian wearing it. One can't ignore the strength and dignity that bear offers.

If you begin looking up symbolism of the bear to different native cultures you will find all manner of things, but overall a Duality. That duality makes the bear a kind of native American Yin and Yang. Which of course I find intriguing. I'm going to let another lovely lady sum it up, as I don't have a horrible lot of time on my hands and she does it so well!

The following are from Avia Venefica on her website What's Your Sign :


As a Brother -

• Because the bear is cautious, it encourages discernment to humankind.
• Because of a fierce spirit, the bear signals bravery to those who require it.
• Because of its mass and physical power, the bear stands for confidence and victory.
• Because it prefers peace and tranquility (in spite of its size), Bear calls for harmony and balance.

As a Totem -

• Patience and Connection
  Hibernating with our ideas or projects until a better time presents itself. Further, bear will speak to you about connecting to both earth-based energy and celestial (sun/moon) forces. Tapping into the bear will also allow you to tap into the wax, wane and flow of life.
• Confidence and Authority
  By its physical presence, the bear reminds us we can be larger than life if we raise ourselves up to our inherent status. Moreover, no one questions the bear. This kind of authoritative presence will be a lesson the bear can impart.
• Nurturing and Protection
  We intuit these attributes by the commitment bear mothers make to their offspring. Whether your offspring is in children or ideals, the bear will lend you the determination required for rearing up strong results.

Whether one believes in these things or not, it is impossible not to feel powerful wearing something like this. Bones always have a wonderful feeling to me.

If you're interested in having a keepsake of your own made into a piece you can hold onto, please feel free to follow the link to Sheri's Deviant Art page.