Russian Bear
Encyclopedia
The Russian Bear is a national personification
for Russia
, used in cartoons, articles and dramatic plays at least since the 17th century, and relating alike to Tsarist Russia
, the Soviet Union
and the present-day Russian Federation.
It often was and is used by Westerners, to begin with especially in Britain and later also in the US, and not always in a flattering context — on occasion used to imply that Russia is "big, brutal and clumsy" (see 19th century cartoon below).
The bear image was, however, on various occasions (especially in the 20th century) also taken up by Russians themselves. Having the teddy bear
"Misha
" as the mascot
of the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games
— boycotted by numerous countries due to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan — was evidently intended to counter the "big and brutal Russian Bear" image with a small, cuddly and smiling bear.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, there was some support in the Russian Parliament for having a bear as the new Russian coat of arms — with the proposers pointing out that "Russia is anyway identified in the world with the Bear" — though eventually it was the Tsarist coat of arms of the Double-headed eagle
that was restored.
Later, the bear was taken up as the symbol of the United Russia
Party, which dominates the political life in Russia since the early 2000s. Coincidentally, the surname of Dmitry Medvedev
, the Russian president elected in 2008, is the possessive adjective of медведь: i.e. his surname means "a bear's".
In his successful 1984 re-election campaign, Ronald Reagan
used the bear motif, in the famous Bear in the woods
ad, which claimed that he recognized the existence of a Soviet threat, and that his opponent denied its existence.
National personification
A national personification is an anthropomorphization of a nation or its people; it can appear in both editorial cartoons and propaganda.Some early personifications in the Western world tended to be national manifestations of the majestic wisdom and war goddess Minerva/Athena, and often took the...
for Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, used in cartoons, articles and dramatic plays at least since the 17th century, and relating alike to Tsarist Russia
Russian Empire
The Russian Empire was a state that existed from 1721 until the Russian Revolution of 1917. It was the successor to the Tsardom of Russia and the predecessor of the Soviet Union...
, the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
and the present-day Russian Federation.
It often was and is used by Westerners, to begin with especially in Britain and later also in the US, and not always in a flattering context — on occasion used to imply that Russia is "big, brutal and clumsy" (see 19th century cartoon below).
The bear image was, however, on various occasions (especially in the 20th century) also taken up by Russians themselves. Having the teddy bear
Teddy bear
The teddy bear is a stuffed toy bear. They are usually stuffed with soft, white cotton and have smooth and soft fur. It is an enduring form of a stuffed animal in many countries, often serving the purpose of entertaining children. In recent times, some teddy bears have become collector's items...
"Misha
Misha
Misha , also known as Mishka or The Olympic Mishka is the name of the Russian Bear, the mascot of the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games . He was designed by children's books illustrator Victor Chizhikov....
" as the mascot
Mascot
The term mascot – defined as a term for any person, animal, or object thought to bring luck – colloquially includes anything used to represent a group with a common public identity, such as a school, professional sports team, society, military unit, or brand name...
of the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
— boycotted by numerous countries due to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan — was evidently intended to counter the "big and brutal Russian Bear" image with a small, cuddly and smiling bear.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, there was some support in the Russian Parliament for having a bear as the new Russian coat of arms — with the proposers pointing out that "Russia is anyway identified in the world with the Bear" — though eventually it was the Tsarist coat of arms of the Double-headed eagle
Double-headed eagle
The double-headed eagle is a common symbol in heraldry and vexillology. It is most commonly associated with the Byzantine Empire and the Holy Roman Empire. In Byzantine heraldry, the heads represent the dual sovereignty of the Emperor and/or dominance of the Byzantine Emperors over both East and...
that was restored.
Later, the bear was taken up as the symbol of the United Russia
United Russia
United Russia is a centrist political party in Russia and the largest party in the country, currently holding 315 of the 450 seats in the State Duma. The party was founded in December 2001, through a merger of the Unity and Fatherland-All Russia parties...
Party, which dominates the political life in Russia since the early 2000s. Coincidentally, the surname of Dmitry Medvedev
Dmitry Medvedev
Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev is the third President of the Russian Federation.Born to a family of academics, Medvedev graduated from the Law Department of Leningrad State University in 1987. He defended his dissertation in 1990 and worked as a docent at his alma mater, now renamed to Saint...
, the Russian president elected in 2008, is the possessive adjective of медведь: i.e. his surname means "a bear's".
In his successful 1984 re-election campaign, Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
used the bear motif, in the famous Bear in the woods
Bear in the woods
"There is a bear in the woods" was the opening line of a television commercial for the 1984 U.S. presidential campaign of Republican Party candidate Ronald Reagan. Before the ad was created, the public seemed more comfortable with the way Walter Mondale described how he would negotiate than they...
ad, which claimed that he recognized the existence of a Soviet threat, and that his opponent denied its existence.