Spirit Bear cub a symbol of B.C. and gratitude
A lot of people love polar bears. There are myriad kids books about them, they're featured in popular ads , and the scientific community is trying to save them ravages of climate change. This, however, is not a polar bear. I hope you're not too disappointed because what it is is even more special.
This majestic, some say even mystical, animal is affectionately known here in British Columbia as a "spirit bear." It is a rare, white, sub-species of the Kermode bear, which is a variant of the North American black bear.
The majestic, mystical Spirit Bear is found only in British Columbia
You'll see pictures of this bear on specialty licence plates for British Columbia to raise funds for B.C. parks. That's because Spirit bears live near the northern coast in B.C.'s Great Bear Rain Forrest. They are our official provincial mammal.
Estimates vary but indicate there are no more than 400 white Kermode bears alive. They have beautiful cream-coloured fur, tinged with orange. And they are often a little more "plump" than their black bear siblings and cousins. That's because when they're fishing for lunch, their white fur makes it harder for fish to see them so they catch more than the black bears.
This is not a polar bear! It’s British Columbia’s rare kermode bear!
What is the symbolism behind the Spirit Bear?
Legends of the spirit bear told by indigenous people in the region teach that the bear is a reminder of days long ago when ice covered the land. The bears encourage us to be thankful for the lush beauty and bounty of the land we now enjoy.
That spirit of gratitude is appropriate at any time of year, and especially at Christmas.
What makes this Spirit Bear ornament special?
I designed my spirit bear ornament after a young cub. The body and head are made from blown glass and the legs are molded from resin, allowing my cub to be in a "walking" position. I chose a pearl finish with copper highlights. The pearl and copper colour make him "pop" against the green of your Christmas tree.
