Heraldic animal Bernese bear should continue to show its red limb
The bear on the Bernese cantonal coat of arms should continue to show its red limb. This is the opinion of the cantonal government. It also does not want to change the traditional direction of the heraldic animal.
05.03.2026, 12:01
SDA
s it writes in its response to a question from Green-Liberal parliamentarian Thomas Brönnimann. The latter had suggested that the bear be depicted without a limb in future so that the entire population would feel better represented. As a symbol of progress, the bear could also move from bottom left to top right in future. Today it walks backwards.
The government council does not want to hear about either proposal. The drawn bear has a tradition going back at least 600 years and has been depicted in this way since the 15th century at the latest. Furthermore, the bear has almost always walked from right to left - not only on seals, but also on early coins.
The government council also does not want to conduct an online survey on the future appearance of the bear. Such a survey would not be representative and would have little informative value, it said.
