Cherokee Medicine Bear

"Yona" Spirit of the Wilderness by Pat Calderone

The Cherokee medicine bear in this painting is called "Yona", which is Cherokee for sacred animal that walks like a man. Bear Medicine is a power specifically associated with the spirit of the bear, particularly the ability to heal.  The bear is known in many cultures as a great healer, since it seeks out plants for its own healing.

Many of the artist's paintings include an image of the medicine bear. For her he is a symbol of protection and the bridge between the world of the spirit and the world in which we live. 

Medicine Bear - "Yona, Spirit of the Wilderness" by Pat Calderone

Yona - The Wild Spirit of the Wilderness 48' x 60"  

Acrylic and mixed medium on canvas gallery wrapped   $4800.00 plus shipping

The Cherokee believed that men and animals were not sharply separated, or worlds apart, as they are in our thinking. The Cherokee medicine bear was revered as a protector and guardian who would even give his life to provide food for the Cherokee if the need was urgent.

The Cherokee believed that the bear on recognizing the needs of the people would appear to the wife of the chief or great hunter and would let her know where to find his den and when she awoke she would lead the hunters to the place where he rested and the hunters would call to him and the bear would come out and without resistance would submit his life. This was cause for a great and sacred celebration, The bears body was treated with much respect. 


 
Every part of the carcass was used including the fur, bones and teeth. They also believed that the medicine bear held the power of reincarnation and was able to recreate himself from one drop of his own blood. 

 
The bears were believed to hold council in the high peaks of the Great Smoky Mountains at a special place called Kuwahi, (Mulberry Place )where they would have powwows and perform dances. Their chief, the Great White Bear, lived at Kuwahi.  Nearby there was a lake with great medicinal powers, where the wounded bears could bathe and recover.  
 

Yona - The wild spirit of the wilderness.

BACK TO PAT CALDERONE

 

Entire site contents including product photographs and internal links Copyright © 2003-2010 - native-american-market.com   

 HOME   PRODUCTS    HOW TO ORDER    RETURN POLICIES   CONTACT US