Bear in a dream: meaning in Ibn Sirin, al-Nabulsi and Ibn Shahin

19 passages from 4 sources, quoted as written, every one linked to its page.

Abd al-Ghani al-Nabulsi, Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam

In a dream, seeing it indicates a person with a defect and strife.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 114

And perhaps seeing it indicates guile and deception.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 114

Or a woman heavy of body, wild in appearance, given to amusement, play, and merriment.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 114

And perhaps seeing it indicates captivity and imprisonment.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 114

The bear in a dream is a foolish enemy, and a thief who is contrary, effeminate, and resorts to trickery in argument.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 114

Whoever rides a bear attains a lowly office if he is fit for it; otherwise grief and fear befall him, then he escapes.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 114

Ibn Shahin al-Zahiri, al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat

As for the bear, it is interpreted in several ways. It is said to be a hypocritical, foolish enemy with no judgement. So whoever sees that he is riding upon a bear, then it indicates the obtaining of a benefit from a ruler. Its flesh and its hide are the wealth of an enemy, and its milk is fright and terror.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, pp. 209–210

Al-Kirmani said: Seeing a bear is an ill omen, and it is interpreted as a man of base origin, without station, possessed of madness and epilepsy; and the female of it is likewise.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, pp. 209–210

And whoever sees that he has ridden a bear or killed it, then he will triumph over his enemy. And it is said the bear is interpreted as a person who is contrary in all matters, and its interpretation is like the interpretation of some of the wild beasts.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, pp. 209–210

attributed to Ibn Sirin, Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam

(The bear) is the man who is harsh in his condition, wicked in his aspiration, treacherous, seeking evil in his craft, afflicted in himself. And it is said: he is an enemy, a thief, a fool, contrary, effeminate, a trickster against pilgrims and caravans who steals their provisions; and he is among the transformed ones.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 368–374

So whoever rides a bear attains a governorship; otherwise fear and terror will come upon him, then he will escape.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 368–374

And it is said that it indicates a woman, and that is because the bear was a woman and was transformed.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 368–374

Kinds and conditions of Bear

Banat Na'sh (stars of the Great Bear)

Abd al-Ghani al-Nabulsi, Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam

In a dream they indicate a learned, noble man.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 23

And whoever sees them all fall down, the scholars of that land have died.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 23

bear (female)

Artemidorus of Daldis, Oneirocritica (1644 English translation)

the she Beare signifyeth the Wife, sicknesse, and return from a strange Country:

Oneirocritica (1644 English translation), The Second Booke of Artimedorus His Exposition of Dreames.

bear-tamer

Abd al-Ghani al-Nabulsi, Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam

He is the one who hunts the bear, disciplines it, and teaches it to dance and imitate. Seeing him in a dream indicates one who instructs the masters of ignorance, or singing-girls, or one whose earnings are unlawful, such as a maker of images, or one who amuses others by his words and deeds.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 114

3 more passages on this symbol are in the database and used by the interpreter.