What Does It Mean If You're Dreaming About Bears?

We've all had strange dreams before that have left us scratching our heads upon waking. While some dream themes are common – losing teeth and being chased, for example — others can leave us wondering what the heck our brains are up to. Depending on who or what shows up in your dreams, you may even be downright unsettled come morning.

If you happen to be an animal person, you might not be surprised when a critter shows up in a dream. However, envisioning wildlife — as opposed to your dog or cat, who you might see every day — may leave you with some questions. If a bear has popped up in your dreams as of late, there could be a few reasons for it. "Subconsciously, there's a bear in your dream to represent some situation ... in your life that is very difficult to bear, or someone [who] is unbearable," Lauri Quinn Loewenberg, professional dream analyst and author, told The Cut.

Loewenberg went on to explain that, upon identifying the bears in your dreams, it's worth taking the time to identify which characteristics stood out to you. Whether it was walking away from you, hibernating, or eating, these traits can give you insight into why bears appeared in your dream. Seeing this creature while sleeping isn't all bad news, either — even if there is someone or something that feels burdensome in your life at the moment.

The nature in which bears appear in your dream can be indicative of why they're there in the first place. For instance, you could be dreaming of yourself in a relaxing, calm forest, where you happen to spot an idle bear. If this is the case, the bear may simply be symbolic of your inner strength and power.

Many cultures throughout history have also viewed the bear as a symbol of wisdom, and some see it as an honorable, divine creature. Its strength alone is often recognized as admirable, to the point that many people use the term "mama bear" to describe fierceness and protectiveness. As you backtrack and identify how bears have been appearing in your dreams, think about how you view these creatures. Ask yourself if you have any personal ties or cultural beliefs that are linked to this animal. For example, do you consider yourself to be a "mama bear" when it comes to your family and friends? Do you think of bears as animals that should be greatly respected, rather than feared?

Your interaction with bears in your dreams should be considered as well. For instance, observing a peaceful bear during your dream may be indicative of your independence. On the other hand, fighting with a bear may represent injustice headed your way in the near future.

If your bear-centric dreams have felt more like nightmares lately, there could be good reason for that too. Although some people view these animals as cute and cuddly, others fear them because of their potential to be ferocious and deadly. If the bears you've been seeing while sleeping are aggressive, you could benefit from being more calm during your waking hours – anger or resentment may be running the show.

While bear attacks are inarguably terrifying in real life, they can be unnerving when we experience them in our dreams as well. If you experience a bear attack in a dream, it may be representative of your own aggression in your waking state. Seeing a bear attack other people in a dream could mean that you're feeling particularly protective of these individuals.

Sometimes, people dream of attempting to help bears, whether they're in an actual bear trap, sick, or injured. In these instances, your subconscious mind could be reflecting feelings of being held back in your waking life. Do you often find yourself in situations where you feel trapped? Alternatively, according to Lauri Quinn Loewenberg, these dreams may be indicative of your attempts to free a person in your life from their own struggles.