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The berserkers of ancient Germanic communities were great warriors said to wear bearskins when they fought (the word is likely derived from the combined words for bear and shirt), and who, like many other warriors, were said to revere Odin most.
Berserkers were bodyguards of kings or of the most fearsome Vikings, and accounts of them claim they were overtaken by fury in battle, and roared, bit their shields, and frothed at the mouth, inspiring terror in their opponents.
In Norse folklore, it is also said that during Odin’s and Thor’s visits to the human world, the gods would appear disguised as bears. Widely worshipped in ancient times wherever they appeared around the world, bears are also said to symbolize strength, wisdom, healing, and a balance between the seen and unseen world.
