Bear is derived from the Celtic word for "bear", "artos". In ancient Greece, archaic cult of Artemis in bear form survived into Classical times at Brauron, where young Athenian girls passed an initiation right as "arktai" "she bears". For Artemis and one of her nymphs as a she-bear, see the myth of Callisto. The constellations of Ursa Major and Ursa Minor, the great and little bears, are named for their supposed resemblance to bears, from the time of Ptolemy. The nearby star Arcturus means "guardian of the bear", as if it were watching the two constellations. Ursa Major has been associated
HMS Ursa (R22) refitted for service in the Far East and joined the British Pacific Fleet where she served until 1945. She then returned to the United Kingdom and paid off in 1946. During the War "Ursa" was adopted by the Borough of Hendon as part of "Warship Week". The plaque from this adoption is held by the National Museum of the Royal Navy in Portsmouth. After the Second World War "Ursa" went into reserve at Portsmouth, transferring to the Chatham reserve in 1952. During 1953 and 1954 "Ursa" was converted to a Type 15 anti-submarine frigate with the new pennant number F200.