Bearista Tales

Year of the Rat Bearista (2008)

72nd Edition in the Bearista Bear Series

I've been slacking on posting lately and I have a lot of great pictures of bearistas I have to put up. But, Chinese New Year is coming up on Thursday (Feb 7) and in honor of the upcoming holiday I am posting the Year of the Rat bearista pictures sent in by Jen (Thanks Jen!).

This is the 2008 Chinese year of the Rat Bearista. He is clad in rat costume. He is also wearing a traditional Chinese outfit and is holding a special knot (aka “Yu Yee” in Chinese) that symbolizes happiness and togetherness. His Chinese symbol “the rat” is sewn on the knot in Chinese. He also has a mouse nose that is attached by elastic bands that he can put on and take off.  The Rat is the first animal in the Chinese zodiac. Traditional stories about the zodiac told of a great race that the little rat and the other 11 animals were participating in. Despite his size, the little rat outran everyone in the race.  That is why he is the first animal in the Chinese zodiac.

Penguin Bearista

66th Edition in the Bearista Bear Collection

Dressed up as a penguin for the winter, he also wears a green stocking cap and a scarf with tassels. Penguin Bearista was an Asian release. Thanks Jen!

Thrive '05 Bearista

Thrive '05 Bearista, Employee-Only

This special edition Bearista was given away at the 2005 leadership conference to promote Starbucks' employee wellness program. He is dressed as a bicyclist - with a helmet, jersey, bike shorts and shoes. His jersey as a Starbucks logo on the front and says "Thrive '05" on the back. Thanks Jen for sending in the picture!

Year of the Dog Bearista

48th Edition in the Bearista Bear Collection

In addition to his dog costume, the Year of the Dog Bearista wears a collar with the Chinese character "Dog" on it. He also carries a Chinese lantern with the same character on it.

Like the other Chinese New Year bearistas, he was released only in Asia. (Thanks again to Jen for the photo!)

Snowy Day Girl Bearista 2005

43rd  Edition in the Bearista Bear Collection

Snowy Day Girl is dressed in red velvet robe on top, and, underneath  a white sheer dress with green ribbon across her waist. She's carrying a little white bear. Snowy Day Bearistas were released with two different paw tags -- this one is the red paw tag version. This bearista was also released in a magnet version.

Thanks again to Jen for supplying the pic!

Mr. Claus Bearista

36th Edition in the Bearista Bear Collection

Released in 2004. Wears a dark red robe and cap trimmed in white faux fur. (Photo contributed by Jen)

Hong Kong Bearista

Destination Series, 15th Edition, Bearista Bear Collection

Wears a white polo shirt, khaki pants, and the traditional Starbucks green apron with "Hong Kong" written on the front.

Hong Kong Bearista is our first reader-contributed Bearista! Thanks Jen! Keep 'em coming guys!