Coming to Berlin, I was surprised to see so many bears. Bears, in Berlin? The fiberglass bears are on almost every block of the city. No one bear looks the same, either. Some bears are standing, some on four paws, and some are doing a crazy trick. Each one also has its own unique patterns that emphasize the location that it is at.

Why do bears represent a city that none call home? Well, there are theories. The most popular theories are that bears were very common in the geographic area that is modern-day Berlin, that “Bär” means bear in German and that the city of Bär-lin means city of the bear, or that it was named after Albert I von Ballenstädt, a famous warrior called Albert the Bear. Whether any of these hypotheses were true or not, the bear became the official crest of Berlin in 1280.

Berlin Bear outside of a tea shop in Berlin.

The Berlin Bear has become a staple of Berlin since its original introduction of the crest of Berlin. Today, the bears around Berlin may seem like a mere photo opportunity. While these bears look great in pictures, they mean much more. The modern Berlin Bear, or “Buddy Bear,” symbolizes tolerance and international understanding. The Buddy Bears welcome individuals from all walks of life to the city of Berlin.

Berlin Bear outside of a hotel in Berlin.