Represent characters or events in a story.
A tribal emblem consisting of a pillar carved and painted with totemic figures; erected by Indian tribes of the northwest Pacific coast. Classified under: Nouns denoting man-made objects. Hypernyms (totem pole is a kind of...): The noun TOTEM POLE has 1 sense: 1. a tribal emblem consisting of a pillar carved and painted with totemic figures; erected by Indian tribes of the northwest Pacific coast. Familiarity information: TOTEM POLE used as a noun is very rare. TOTEM POLES OF THE GREAT NORTHWEST. The first totems were carved from mature cedar trees and used in the Potlatch ceremonies of families-clans of the Pacific Northwest, primarily Alaska and British Columbia. They were carved to represent the emblem of the family as a reminder of its history. A totem pole is a symbol of the qualities, experience and exploits of the clan. The totem carvings tell a story, revealed only if one knows the meaning assigned to various animals, fish, birds and designs and where they are placed on the pole. totem pole. noun. Tweet. : a tall usually wooden pole that is carved and painted with symbols, figures, or masks which represent different Native American tribes. —used to describe someone's position or level in a company or organization. 1. : a pole or pillar carved and painted with a series of totemic symbols representing family lineage and often mythical or historical incidents and erected by Indian tribes of the northwest coast of North America. 2. : an order of rank: hierarchy. See totem pole defined for English-language learners. Totem poles are monumental sculptures carved on poles, posts, or pillars with symbols or figures made from large trees, mostly western red cedar, by indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest coast of North America (northwestern United States and Canada's western province, British Columbia). Totem poles are the largest, but not the only objects that coastal Pacific Northwest natives use to depict family legends, animals, people, or historical events. The freestanding poles seen by the region's first European explorers were likely preceded by a long history of decorative carving. Where are totem poles carved? Today the lands of the Totem People are known as: 1) southeastern Alaska, USA; 2) coastal British Columbia [B.C.] Canada, and northern Washington state, U.S.A. That's where real totem poles come from. DEFINITION: Totems originally were a series of emblems representing a Northwest Native family-clan, their kinship system, dignity, accomplishments, prestige, adventures, stories, rights and prerogatives. For the full story of totems, purchase Altitude's Totem Poles. The word totem derives from the Algonquian (most likely Ojibwe) word odoodem [ oˈtuːtɛm ], his kinship group. Totem poles are not religious objects, but they do communicate important aspects of native culture. Carvings of animals and other characters typically represent characters or events in a story. Totem poles are the largest, but not the only objects that coastal Pacific Northwest natives use to depict family legends, animals, people, or historical events. The freestanding poles seen by the region's first European explorers were likely preceded by a long history of decorative carving. Totem poles are sculptures carved from large trees, such as the Western Red Cedar. In North America, totem poles are part of the cultures of many indigenous peoples of Alaska, British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest. On these poles, each figure on the totem represents part of a story. These totems are used as a way to record the history and legends of the tribes. Figures on a totem pole are not gods to be worshipped. Instead, they represent traits and characteristics each clan or story embodies. • TOTEM POLE (noun). The noun TOTEM POLE has 1 sense: 1. a tribal emblem consisting of a pillar carved and painted with totemic figures; erected by Indian tribes of the northwest Pacific coast. Familiarity information: TOTEM POLE used as a noun is very rare Full Definition of TOTEM POLE. 1. : a pole or pillar carved and painted with a series of totemic symbols representing family lineage and often mythical or historical incidents and erected by Indian tribes of the northwest coast of North America. 2. : an order of rank: hierarchy. See totem pole defined for English-language learners.
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what do the carvings on a totem pole mean