** This response is biblically sound and personable. It answers the question directly, highlights the importance of context, demonstrates how to evaluate claims, and gives explicit encouragement for continued discipleship and growth. **
Question: Hi! I came across a tik tok video today about how the Stanley cup logo is related to Daniel 7:5 and how this is the same thing as what’s being described in that verse. Is this true? I’ve looked at their website and their reasoning for how they came up with the logo seems innocent to me but now that I’ve seen that video I’m scared.
Profile: Female, North America, 19–25, New Christian
Answered by: Byron Earnheart, who has been serving on our Q&A Answer Team since July 2012.
Answer: Thank you for your question. I’m going to assume you’re referring to the brand Stanley and not the Stanley Cup used in the National Hockey League. The brand “Stanley” uses a bear and Daniel 7:5 is referring to a bear. If I’m wrong, please let me know and I’ll take a look!
Whenever we are looking at Scripture to use as a guide about something in today’s world, it is always important to consider the context rather than one specific verse. Daniel, likely, didn’t have Stanley cups during the Babylonian captivity, right? Yes, the verse references a bear and the bear is sent out to kill. However, most biblical scholars (for centuries) have almost unanimously understood Daniel 7 to be a prophetic dream about the coming empires in the Mediterranean world. It parallels nicely with Nebuchadnezzar’s earlier dreams and in later passages we get some clarity as to the 4th beast. Finally, the beasts parallel nicely with actual events in history.
The second beast here, the bear, represents the Persians that overthrew Babylon. God gave Daniel a vision of what was to come and, in retrospect, did come.
So, if the Stanley cup company was referencing the bear in Daniel 7, they are referring to an image that refers to a prophecy that was fulfilled nearly 3,000 years ago. As a business professor and one who loves the history of business, that would rank up at the top of one of the worst corporate logos I know about! Also consider that the image has a winged bear, on all fours, and without any ribs in its mouth or showing any signs of hostility as is also referenced in the verse. It’s more likely the case that the story on the website is the accurate one and given the ties to a winged bear as a symbol in mythology across several groups it makes sense that this would be part of some heraldic symbolism associated with a family.
Finally, let me encourage you and commend you for seeking out the answers to things like this. I see you marked “new Christian”. I am so encouraged that instead of being washed away by whatever shows up on your feed, you sought out counsel and asked questions. This may sound like an old man (I’m not THAT old!) but there is so much nonsense and garbage out in the world about what is and what is not Biblical, as you mature in the faith and learn more about Scripture you will be able to discern truth from fiction more easily. Stay in the Word!! Stay questioning the things that you see and hear that don’t quite line up with what you know about God. Like anything else in life, the more you practice something, the better you will be! Stay strong and grounded in the Word and prayer!!
And, as far as I’m concerned, enjoy your Stanley cup to its fullest!
Hope that helps!
God bless!
