Some musings on the bear cults of Northern Europe…

With European brown bears, an estimated 95% of charges are defensive in nature. To avoid an attack, make yourself smaller, that’s how you say “I’m not here to challenge you” to a bear. Basically, bow to the king of the forest.

This could have provided an initiation rite and a test of courage second to none; with a big bear coming towards you, every instinct screaming at you to run or reach for a weapon, will you be able to master your base instincts and remember, and have the faith, to bow?

This could be where the taboos against harming bears originated, as attempting to fight one would most often result in even a seasoned warrior becoming part of the forest floor.

This could even be how bowing and prostration became part of worshipping the Gods; not just as a show of submission, but a show of faith.

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