Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
totem pole
Noun
/ˈtoʊ.təm poʊl/
Definition
A tall, carved post, typically featuring a sequence of designs or figures that represent the culture and history of Indigenous peoples, particularly in North America.
Examples
- The totem pole stood proudly at the entrance of the village, telling stories of the ancestors.
- During our trip to Alaska, we saw many beautifully crafted totem poles that represented the local tribes.
- Each figure on the totem pole had a specific meaning, from animals to human figures depicting spiritual beliefs.
Meaning
Totem poles are symbolic structures that often depict ancestral spirits, mythological tales, or important events and serve as a significant cultural artifact for the communities that create them.
Synonyms
- carved post
- artistic pole
- cultural marker
