Personalized Bear Protection Amulet Jewelry / Bear Charm Protective Hunter Gifts

Amulet "Sacred Bear" made of bronze The image is a replica of items still found by archaeologists in various parts of Russia. It belongs to the Permian animal style, which reflected the mythology of northern peoples. In many of the world's cultures, the bear represents strength, courage and bravery. Northern peoples worshipped the bear and had festivals of offerings. The amulet comes with instructions in English. Historical Facts: The bear is a sacred animal of the middle world among the Finno-Ugric peoples. It is considered the spirit of the ancestors of the human race, the patron of good hunting, the guarantor of food and well-being of the race. Different peoples have similar myths that explain the rituals of the bear feast. The bear games of the Khanty and Mansi peoples are the most archaic version of the holiday, which today can hardly be seen in its original form. It was held every seven years, with a seven-year break afterwards. These "bear games" began in December, on the winter solstice, and ended in March, during the vernal equinox. The main protagonist was the bear, represented by his hide, which was kept in the sacred barn along with costumes and all the necessary accessories. The first part of the feast was introductory. At that time, songs and tales were sung about the bear and the origin of the people, and rituals were established. Only after that did the main part begin, when people addressed deities, summoned ancestors and performed ritual dances with sabres and swords. The actors were men dressed in special costumes, with masks on their faces - they depicted animals and birds. The climax of the feast came on the last night: sacred performances depicting a confrontation between the bear and other animals, the patrons of neighboring tribes. The fiery fox dance was especially colorful, and can also be seen in modern festivals. The fox was played by a dancer in winter clothes with a straw tail. When the tail was set on fire, through the sacred fire the room and all participants of the feast were purified. The feast ended with the sacrifice of two wooden dolls, "hostile" to the bear: the forest spirits took them away and burned them in a secret sanctuary. For another version of the bear feast, the beast was specially bred for several years. Although it was kept in a cage, it was treated well, and the little bear cub was even breastfed by its owner and called "son". When the appointed time came, the bear was taken around the village, in each house he was welcomed as a guest, treated to specially prepared delicacies - fish, jelly, wine, bowed and danced to him. After the honors, the bear was killed in the place intended for it, following all the rituals, and skinned. To "cover their tracks" the skin and the head were not brought in through the door, but through a chimney. The bear's meat was cooked on a fire kindled with a clan flame, and a special dish with a picture of a bear was used. The totem animal was not only killed and deceived, but also tamed: its head was decorated, the bones from the meal were gathered and sent to the bears in the forest with gifts. A special significance was attached to the bear's skull: during the meal, it was placed next to the elders, and they talked to it all night long. The skulls, collected over many years, were stored in the barn, and before the bear hunt, they were given food and gifts. Material Bronze Sizing 3,5х3,5cm