the spirit taken by an individual or tribe to represent its inner nature
Any natural or supernatural object, being or animal which has personal symbolic meaning to an individual and to whose phenomena and energy one feels closely associated with during one's life.
(Objibway) "Relative clan", heraldic post, often associated with an emblem or mask of an animal or plant.
A living thing (or its image) that is venerated by a people as the representative of a protective deity. In tribal cultures, the totem was often regarded as the emblem of a clan and as such the focus of ancestor worship. Native American myths such as those featuring Raven and Eagle provide symbolic validation of the kinship system through the acts of totemic animals who were instrumental in the foundation of the clan. (Contrast with "anthropomorphic gods.") See "animism."
An emblem or design indicating the name or nick of the patrol, den or person. First used by American Indians for a person or clan.
a natural object, often an animal, taken as the emblem of a tribe, clan, family, etc; the image of a totem.
a clan identified by their kinship to a common totemic object
emblem consisting of an object such as an animal or plant; serves as the symbol of a family or clan (especially among American Indians)
a clan mark, then a clan name, then the name of the ancestor of the clan, and lastly the name of something worshipped by the clan
a figure conceived to be the founder of a group, and/or an object conceived to embody the group's spiritual essence
a mythical ancestor, or a metaphor for a group or a person, usually embodied or represented through an animal or vegetal form
an animal or plant serving as the emblem of a family or clan and often as a reminder of its ancestry
an animal that gives power to a particular group of people
a natural object that is usually the emblem of a clan in a tribal group
an emblem that defines a person as a member of a group
an object or an animal, usually the latter, with which the people of a tribe believe themselves to be connected by ties of blood and from which they are descended
an object or thing in nature that is adopted as a family or clan emblem
an object, such as an animal or plant that serves as the emblem or symbol of a kinship group or a person
an object that is considered a revered symbol
a plant, animal or object which is the symbol of a social group, particularly a clan or tribe
a representation of an animal, a plant, or a natural object that serves among certain tribal or traditional peoples as an emblem or as a guardian
a simple form, usually a natural form used as the symbol of a man, a group of men, an animal, or an idea
a small disk with the picture of an animal on it
a symbol and essence of an animal that can be called on for healing or used as an amulet (symbol for protection or well being), to help embody the attributes of that particular animal
a plant or animal associated with a clan as a means of group identification. It may have other significance for the group as well
An object toward which members of a kinship unit have a special mystical relationship and with which the unit's name is associated.
Particular animal and other natural species with which individuals identify to mediate their relationships with the ancestral beings, the land and everything in it.
a plant or animal whose name is adopted by a clan and that holds a special symbolic significance for its members, usually related to their mythical ancestry.
An object, usually an animal or plant, revered by an individual or a particular social group. A group totem represents the bond of unity and is often considered the ancestor or brother of the group's members; marriage between those of one totem is often prohibited as incest. The group's symbol and protector, the totem may be pictured on the body or masks, or carved on totem poles.
an animal or natural object considered to be a blood relative and taken as a personal symbol.
(Native American) An object, plant or animal that serves as a hereditary badge or emblem for a tribe, clan or family. It represents the "whole" aspects of group. A totem can also serve as a sacred symbol for an individual, representing the whole spiritual being of that person.
An object considered to have special meaning to a family or clan.
Among the Native groups in North America, a natural object or animal assu,ed as the emblem of a tribe or family, or the representation of it, such as those carved on the posts or "totem-poles" erected in front of their dwellings.
A symbol or emblem that has spiritual significance
in Australia, (a somewhat inadequate term) used to refer to the connection between people, ancestral beings and the landscape (their clan estate) and includes the fauna and flora associated with it (often called "totemic species").
An object or thing in nature, often an animal, assumed as a token or emblem of a clan, tribe, family or related group.
An object (usually an animal) that a primitive tribe feels closely related to, perhaps even descended from, and is regarded as enforcing certain "taboos". Freud relates the cultural function of the totem to the function of a parent for a young child.
( Algonquian Indian, as in Ojibway ototeman, Cree ototema, his relations) 1. an animal or natural object considered as being related by blood to a given tribe or clan and taken as its symbol. 2. an image of this. (See genius, jinni.)
Most commonly an animal utilized by nomadic tribesmen as a representation of mythic ancestor of the group; venerated as a progenitor and protector. (p. 89)
an animal with which an individual or a group perceives a particular relationship or source of power and identity. Such a relationship might be initiated through a vision, a dream, or even a violent life-threatening encounter. The name of the animal is often incorporated into the name of the individual or the clan/group. A contemporary example of this is found in the custom of utilizing animal mascots and animal names for athletic teams.
A totem is any which watches over or assists a group of people, such as a family, clan or tribe (Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary http://www.webster.com/dictionary/totem and Webster's New World College Dictionary, Fourth Edition).