Flags With Bears Around the World - Flags Around the World

This article showcases flags that feature bears, with a discussion focussing about the flag of California Republic.
Photo by Willian L. Todd (1818 -1876); Public Domain

In our modern world, there is no country that currently uses, or has ever used, a national flag that features a bear. However, there was a former country, that is no longer existed today, had a flag with a bear on it: the California Republic, also known as the Bear Flag Republic. The California Republic was a short-lived nation, lasting only about a month.

It was initially part of the Mexican Empire. However, after a revolt, it became an independent nation but was not recognized as fully sovereign country. After that one month, it became a part of the United States. Today, the nation that was once known as the California Republic now covers a large portion of what is recognized as the State of California in the United States of America.

In this article, I will discuss the meaning and symbolism of the former flag of the California Republic. Then, I will showcase other flags around the world that feature bears, including those that represent cities, states, provinces, or organizations. But before diving into that, let’s have a short discussion of what bears are.

What Are Bears?

Bears are any of the eight species of mammals belonging to the family Ursidae. They can be described by having strong, stocky bodies, short necks, and broad heads. They have dense fur which comes in various colors, from black and brown to white. Bears are some of the largest land carnivores, with the species Kodiak and polar bears can weigh more than 1,500 pounds.

Unlike other species that belong to order Carnivora, bears are actually omnivores, with their diets, depending on the species, consist of fruits, insects, leaves, meat or fish. Bears lives in a variety of habitats, including forests, and mountains. They can be found across North America, Europe, and many parts of Asia.

Banner of California Republic

The California Republic banner was for a brief period of about 25 days, from June 14 to July 9, 1846 during the existence of the nation. It featured a white background with a red stripe at the bottom. In the upper left of its corner, there was a red star, and in the center top, a red grizzly bear was depicted in a walking manner. Beneath the star and the bear, the name of “California Republic” was also inscribed.

The white background symbolized purity, peace, and the aspirations of the people for a new beginning. The star stood for sovereignty and independence, echoing the republic’s revolutionary history. The red bear represented the wildlife of the California Republic and the brave spirit of its people; it also meant strength and resilience. The used of red in the bear, star and stripe symbolized the blood shed by those who fought for its independence.