Totem Pole Symbols and Meanings

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Kimmy takes out her phone to do some googling too.

‘Totem Pole

This article relates to the Northwest Native American Indians Totem Pole Symbols and Meanings. What do the graphic carvings and coloring depicted on the totem pole mean? A totem pole depicts emblems of animals and mythological creatures that are believed to have spiritual significance and who watch over the families, clans, or tribes who adhere to the belief of Totemism. The Totem Pole symbolizes guardian spirits or helpers each of the animals, images and symbols have special and specific meanings. For additional information refer to Power Animals. Tribes of Northwest Indians carve and construct the Totem Pole include the Haida, Tlingit, Bella Coola, Tsimshian, Kwakiutl and the West Coast tribe.

Totem Pole Symbols

• The figures carved on a Totem pole might include a person, animals, birds or insects and might also display mythological and legendary images, usually Animal Spirits, whose significance was their association with the lineage of the tribe. The totem pole is built in three sections and the position of figures on the Totem pole are also significant.

• The bottom section of the Totem Pole is the most important as it displays the symbols and images in the most visible and prominent position. Totem poles are read from bottom to top.

• The top section of the Totem Pole often display flamboyant portrayals of Mythical creatures and monsters such as the Thunderbird and the Haida tribe artists might often place three Watchmen with tall hats on top of their Totem Pole creations

• Other mythical creatures such as a scaly double-headed serpent called Sisiutl, the thunderbird and a supernatural shape-shifting bird called Kolus might also be featured.

Identifying Totem Pole Symbols and Images

The images carved on the Totem Pole were carved to represent human and animal faces rather than to look exactly like them. Each figure bore an identifying symbol. Erect ears on a Totem Pole figure distinguished an animal from a man. The killer whale had a protruding dorsal fin, and the eagle, a curved beak.

Totem Pole Symbols - Tribal Totems

• The totem pole symbols often used by the Northwest Indians included their tribal totems.

• The totem pole symbols of the Tlingit tribe included the raven, frog, goose, sea lion, owl, salmon, beaver, codfish, skate, wolf, eagle, bear, killer-whale, shark, auk, gull, sparrow-hawk

• The totem pole symbols of the Haida were the eagle, killer-whale, black bear, loon, woodpecker, thunderbird (mythical), hawk, wolf, dogfish, owl, otter, grizzly bear, sea lion, mountain goat

• The totem pole symbols of the Tsimshian were the raven, codfish, starfish, eagle, halibut, beaver, whale, wolf, crane, grizzly bear, bear, killer whale, dolphin

• The totem pole symbols of other tribes included the beaver, frog, raven, dogfish, halibut, land otter, starfish and hummingbird’ (Source)

“Tiffi, look at this article that I just read,” says Kimmy. “It’s very interesting to learn how the Native Americans created them to represent humans and animal faces with symbols. Oh, I just found another good article about the totem animals and their meanings.” 

Tiffi looks over at what Kimmy found and smiles. She didn’t know that her sister enjoyed googling too. Tiffi’s phone rings and it’s Yeti calling. 

“Hi Tiffi, what’s up?” asks Yeti. “I spoke to Chewy and he mentioned that you were looking for directions on how to make a totem pole so I guess that’s our next adventure right? How about I call all our friends to find out who is available and I’ll get back to you. Do you have a date in mind yet?” 

Tiffi tells Yeti that she needs to find some directions on how to make it and then she can give everyone at date. But she agrees that Yeti should start making some phone calls and Tiffi will get back to him once she finds some good directions. 

Let’s continue - Native American Totem Animals & Their Meanings

Start at the beginning – Let’s build a totem pole!