Stock Market

The Iconic “Bull and Bear” Statues: A Global Symbol of Stock Markets

For centuries, the global stock market has been symbolically represented by two iconic creatures: the bull and the bear. These timeless figures embody the market's dual nature, with the bull signifying optimism and upward momentum in a rising market, and the bear reflecting caution and defensiveness during downturns. This age-old metaphor continues to capture the essence of market dynamics, offering a vivid illustration of investor sentiment across cycles.

Administrator

5 December, 2025

Throughout the industrialization era and the establishment of major stock exchanges like the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, the bull and bear statues have become iconic symbols of financial culture. Positioned in front of trading floors, these statues serve as reminders to investors of market cycles, psychological influences, and the inherent balance between risk and opportunity.

In Vietnam, the bull and bear statues were installed in front of the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange (HOSE) in July 2020, coinciding with the official launch of its new headquarters. However, after more than five years, in early December 2025, HOSE replaced the traditional bull and bear statue with a “charging bull” sculpture.

Globally, bull statues are predominantly featured at most stock exchanges, while a few still display both bull and bear statues side by side.