Bears
For the Zuni, the bear is an animal endowed with strength, adaptability, courage and healing in both the physical and spiritual realms. Many sources cite that Zuni hunters familiar with the bear’s anatomy are struck by its physical similarity to that of humans. Elder brother of the badger, the bear assumes the western direction in a protective directional set and is associated with the color blue. Bear carvings are often but not exclusively rendered in turquoise or lapis. White bears are regarded as particularly potent healers. The bear’s association with healing may have stemmed from its ability to hibernate during seasonal changes in order to conserve its food supply and energy.
