Polar Bear Sipping Cocoa by the Fireplace

About this drawing

A Christmas polar bear in a Santa hat feels like a holiday classic, even though the real animal lives far from our living rooms. Over the years, this Arctic giant has become one of the most recognizable faces of winter and Christmas.

Advertising deserves much of the credit. In the early 1990s, Coca-Cola introduced animated polar bears watching the northern lights, and those bears have returned in its holiday campaigns again and again. Greeting cards, movies and countless brands soon followed the trend.

Why does it work so well? Polar bears instantly suggest snow, cold and the North Pole, which is where Santa is said to live. Their white coats and gentle, easygoing look match the warm, family-centered mood many people want from the season.

That friendly image has also drawn attention to the real challenges the species faces, especially shrinking Arctic sea ice. So the bear on your mug, sweater or ornament quietly reminds us every December of a wild animal that needs protecting. Next time you spot one on a holiday card, you will know there is a real and remarkable animal behind the cartoon. Learning about it is a great way to add a little science to the season.

• polar bear
• christmas
• fireplace
• cozy
• winter