More on Northern Bear from Infoplease:

• Northern Bear - Northern Bear Russia. Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894 Related ...
• Russian - Russian The nickname of a Russian is “a Bear,” or the “Northern Bear.” ...
• Dictionary of Phrase and Fable: N - Definitions, origins, and illustrative excerpts for words, phases, and literary allusions starting with "N"
• Bear - Bear (A). (Stock Exchange), a fall, or a speculator for a fall. To operate for a bear. To realise a ...