What do totems represent

Today, totem poles are raised for crowds of hundreds of people in places of honour and First Nations villages. If you really want a totem pole, you can still have an artist carve you one. Better start saving your allowance money! Toggle navigation Menu.

Explore Videos Games. Other artists argue that technological innovation is an important part of cultural transformation and growth. After the wood is carved, some artists paint their poles, or choose to leave the pole unpainted. Many poles are coloured using synthetic paints, and some are painted with natural pigments derived from ground charcoal and ochre.

For a good visual reference of different totem pole styles, please refer to this photographic collection [PDF] produced by the Royal B. The cultural variations of totem pole styles are complex and go beyond the purview of this section, but a few generalizations can be made about regional characteristics. The Coast Salish of the Lower Fraser tended to carve house posts rather than single stand-alone poles.

These house posts would frequently appear on the interiors of longhouses. In the central coast, the Haida of Haida Gwaii and the Tsimshian carved towering totem poles, often reaching over feet tall, which were usually erected beside a longhouse. Coast Tsimshian poles often had horizontal line breaks between totem figures, while Haida poles had closely intertwined designs with a shallow relief.

Despite the prominence of totem poles in the Pacific Northwest, there are some common misconceptions about the meaning and purpose of poles. Some mistakenly believe that First Nations worshipped totem poles as idols or sacred objects that contained the souls of deities, or revered them as talismans that could ward off evil. This misconception may have been the result of cultural misunderstandings among Christian missionaries, who mistakenly believed totem poles were used in shamanistic rituals.

From their earliest origins to today, totem poles hold a significant socio-cultural role in many First Nations communities. Most First Nations commemorate the raising of a totem with a totem pole raising ceremony, which is often held concurrently with a feast or potlatch.

Please click here for a video of a totem pole raising ceremony at the University of Alaska Southeast. Colonial officials attempted to assimilate Aboriginal peoples by banning cultural expressions and practices, such as the potlatch in , based on the expectation that Aboriginal peoples would then adopt Christian traditions. Along with the outlawing of ceremonies, thousands of items, such as ceremonial regalia, were forcibly taken from Aboriginal peoples and sent to museums and private collectors throughout North America and Western Europe.

Apr 19, Apr 13, Thanks for checking out this Wonder all about them, Jessana! Apr 5, Man Mar 9, Amerey Mar 31, Apr 3, Thanks, Amerey! Mar 10, NoneOfyours Sep 17, Wow its almost like we have Free speech. Sep 18, We're glad you're visiting Wonderopolis and hope to see you again soon! Clara Lamott Mar 31, Mar 31, Glad you've got our back! Caymen Mar 2, I am wondering how many different types of totem poles there are and what they're names are?

Mar 3, Thought: I never knew there was a shame pole. Connection: I am making a totem pole for a school project. Prediction: I think the next wonder will be about tigers. Feb 20, Smith's Class Oct 5, We enjoyed learning about totem poles this morning!

We're wondering if they used masks or faces as symbols on totem poles, as well? We are also wondering if a shame pole would be used if someone lied? Lastly, what does the frog symbol mean? Thank you for sharing all of this information! Oct 5, GiGi Sep 9, Sep 9, We're glad you like Wonderopolis, GiGi! Jul 28, We hope you visit again soon! John dosnt like this site Jul 25, Jul 26, Apr 6, What does the thunderbird mean in a totem pole?

Apr 7, Apr 25, I mean as in, what does a thunderbird mean in an Alaskan totem pole? A person Mar 30, Kinda funny how "wonderpolis" never directly answers any questions. Apr 28, I am doing a project on totem poles any ideas? Mar 23, Mar 17, We're glad you liked this Wonder! Thanks for stopping by! Emma Feb 1, Hello, I would like to site to this article. Could I please have the information to reference this. Author,place of publication, date of publication, publisher.

Thank you, hope to hear from you soon. Feb 2, Jan 22, Sounds yummy, yareli! What kind of cake it your favorite? We think cake is delicious, too, kaleena! We hope you learned something new about totem poles while visiting! Jan 21, Hi, kaleena! Thanks for joining the conversation, yareli! We're glad you stopped by Wonderopolis! Max Nov 20, How can know the date update, and the author of this topic?

Ibrahim Feb 29, We hope our response below was helpful, kaleena! Let us know if you need anymore information! Nov 23, Mar 4, Thanks for visiting Wonderopolis, ccc! You're very welcome, kaleena! Maleehah Nov 16, We're glad you having fun exploring Wonderopolis, kaleena! Nov 17, Nov 10, Parker Lerat Nov 4, DUDE this article was awesome i loved how it showed and named all the common animals in this article.

Nov 4, Human Centipede Apr 20, I wish that I could have a totem pole or I could make one; I would never want to have a shame pole. Hi, macy! We agree! Thanks for sharing your thoughts about this Wonder! Jamie Tapaquon Nov 4, How long does it take to make a totem pole?

What is the most common totem pole to carve? Aziah Nov 4, I thank you wonderopolis for me learning even more about totem poles. I love how totem poles look like with ravens, bears, fish and other things.

Hi, Aziah! Those animals would make cool totem poles. Thanks for sharing your idea! Colton Nov 4, I learned lots of facts about totem poles. One interesting cool fact was the shame pole pole was pretty awesome. The shame pole is when people embarrass other people to tell that they did something wrong. Another one was the disaster of the oil spill for the B.

C in Thanks a lot Wonderopolis for great things i learned. Nov 16, The following is how you would cite this page: "What Is a Totem Pole? Rayne Nov 4, I think that this help me with my work and its very easy to understand and its very well wrote and its not that long.!!! Conredge Nov 4, Teegan Nov 4, Thank you for helping me with my work and I found this interesting.

The article I found interesting is the one that tells us what the kind of animals are on a Totem pole. This helped me with my homework: Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ty Nov 3, I found interesting in the article is that shame poles are used for people had done stuff wrong. Neanna Nov 3, This article was very interesting, and I learned so much from it! How many totem poles were put up altogether in Alaska? Tayvian Nov 3, Keana Nov 3, Do you use Shame Poles in Saskatchewan.

Damon Nov 3, This was really interesting and I did not know that there was a shame poll very interesting. Hope Charles Nov 3, I liked the way you guys design the animals on the poles. Why would they make a same pole about someone. Levi Nov 3, There are many totem poles are interesting.

Why do people make totem poles and when did it start. Jordan Nov 3, I never knew that there was a shame pole til now. And what are amends? Amends is a sum of money paid in compensation for loss or injury! That's right! Thanks for being a supportive Wonder Friend and answering Jordan's question! Cheyanne Nov 3, This article was helpful to me because I didn't know much about them before I read this article. Also how long does it take to create a totem pole? Arrian Nov 3, Shame pole they use it to embarrass someone I think i will do it to my brothers.

Will someone buy spirits pole for alot of money if it was there for long time? I hope not. Mataya Nov 3, This is a amazing article! I love totem pole's they we my favorite,They were colorful! Jaden Nov 3, Why do you have them?

Like i get what they mean but why do you have them up? I like how I learned what they meant and how their taken down. Why are some poles used for memorials? Theirs so many questions to ask you guys in all one day. I saw many of these in parks before but not in important places.

Is this right? Like to do to a person or something?? The symbols on them i saw many different symbols all around different places, who were they made by? Leyla Oct 27, Oct 28, Scrub Oct 5, Oct 6, TotemPoleFan Oct 5, Leyla Jessica Billisi Ramos Oct 27, Elijah Sep 10, Sep 13, Hey This helped me so much. I never knew what a totem pole was until I found this website and I started making my own totems too. They are so cool.

Thx Wonderopolis. Sep 10, Sep 17, Bob's mother Feb 3, Wonderopolis Feb 3, Hi Bob's mother! Wonderopolis Jan 7, Hi aga! Wonderopolis Dec 19, Kathrine Nov 24, THank you so much WOnderopolis you are the best! Wonderopolis Nov 25, Ariel Nov 24, Wonderopolis Nov 24, That's awesome to hear, Ariel! We're really glad you're our Wonder Friend! Garry Sep 3, I hate this piece of work it bores me out of my brain.

Wonderopolis Sep 3, Garren mitchell Nov 7, Thanks for this. It really helped me on my project!!! Wonderopolis Nov 7, Hi Garren! We are so glad that we could help! Sally May 13, I learned soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dhaitya Mar 22, I learned a lot that my brain is to fat. Apr 9, We're so glad that you're learning so much with us, Dhaitya! Shows intense loyalty with a balance of independence. Teaches cooperation, protectiveness and the value of extended families.

Totem Animals and their Meanings. Humble, generous and innocent; small and hard to find, just as humility is Owl A very respected animal and is thought to symbolize the souls of the departed. Otter Laughter, curiosity, grace, and empathy Parrot Considered bringers of specific prayers and could bestow blessings Pheasant Warning and concealment Polar Bear Solitude; expert swimmer through emotional waters; ability to find food where none seems to exist; strength in the face of adversity; communication with the spirit; creature of dreamers Porcupine Gentle innocence and trust.

Possum Proper use of deception; sensibility; guidance to uncovering talent, psychic or physical; gains wisdom; recovery Quail Lives close to the earth; ability to blend into the background; finds peaceful solutions to peril; courage to face hardships Rabbit Fear and overcoming limiting beliefs. He is creator, deity, clown, caretaker and mischief-maker Robin The wisdom of change Salmon Instinct, persistence, and determination. Seahorse Confidence and grace Shark A great symbol of survival, adaptability, and hunting prowess.

Skunk Understands energy flows; self-respect; courage; will power; self-confidence Snake Usually seen in healing and fertility rites. Sparrow Desire and fertility Spider Connects the past with the future; creative and weaves the pattern of life Starling Ability to control mobs; imitation, adaptability and intelligence; mental receptivity.

Swan The symbol of total grace, serenity, and innocence Tadpole Fertility, change, and renewal. Turkey Sacrifice of self for a higher purpose; understands the gift of giving; honors Earth Mother; harvest bounties. Turtle A very powerful symbol for women. Weasel Stealth, ingenuity, revenge, ability to see hidden reasons behind things; power of observation Wolf Shows intense loyalty with a balance of independence.