Totemism, a complex system of ideas, symbols, and practices based on an assumed relationship between an individual or a social group(religion is also a Social Group) and a natural object known as a totem. The totem may be a particular species of bird, animal, or plant, a natural phenomenon, or a feature of the landscape with which a group believes itself linked in some way. The term totem is derived from the language of the Ojibwa, a Native North American tribe.
The totemic relationship is widespread and has been observed in Malaysia, Africa, and Guinea. It is especially strong among some Native Americans and the Australian aborigines. In these societies, the totem is often regarded as a companion and helper with supernatural powers and as such is respected and occasionally venerated. The individuals of a totemic group see themselves as partially identified with or assimilated to the totem, which may be referred to by special names or symbols. Descent may be traced to an original totemic ancestor, which becomes the symbol of the group. With the exception of some totemic rituals, killing, eating, or touching the totem is prohibited. Individual shamans have been known to cultivate a personal friendship with a particular totemic animal or plant.
Few anthropological concepts have undergone such radical change as that of totemism. Most of the theories about this phenomenon propounded in the 19th and early 20th centuries have been discarded. Totemism is no longer regarded as a religion, much less as an early stage in the religious and cultural history of the human race. It is admitted, however, that a totemic relationship may involve some religious elements, such as the cult of ancestors and the belief in spirits ( Animism). The current skepticism about totemism in anthropological literature is exemplified by the French anthropologist Claude Lévi-Strauss’s theory that totemism is an anthropological concept having no objective reality.
The basis of totemism seems to lie in the world view of some societies that assume a specific relationship between human beings and the powers of nature, a relationship that serves as the foundation for a classificatory scheme. Totemism may thus be interpreted as a conceptual device for sorting out social groups by means of natural emblems. Furthermore, some scholars point out that when different social groups within the same society draw their names and identities from plants or animals, these totems serve as symbolic devices showing that society, although divided into many groups, still remains a whole. Totems identify and symbolize a group that shares common interests–particularly an interest in the protection of kin members–in societies that have no other agency or mechanism for performing this function. Recently, some anthropologists have argued that Australian totemism, because of its taboos against killing and eating one’s totem, has acted as a conservation device, helping people adapt to their natural environment. Totemism would, in this interpretation, have an ecological significance and would thus have played an important role in the development and survival of those societies in which it flourished.
Animal Totems
Native American Animal Totems are emblems of tribes or groups of people such as a family or clan. Animal totems or emblems, also reflect the lineage of a tribe, reminding them of their ancestry or their mythical past and creation myths. The word totem is derived from the Ojibwe (Chippewa) word ‘odoodem’ meaning “his kinship group”. Many tribes also hold the belief that each of their people have animal totems that are spirit guides who sometimes appear in dreams or Vision Quests in the form of Power Animals and their dream meanings. These animal totems, or spirit guides walk through life with them, teaching and guiding them and in some instances, protecting them.
Animal Totems – Meanings and Significance
Each one of the animal totems had a special meaning, characteristics and significance. The following chart details the common Animal totems used by Native Indian Tribes across North America. The meanings of each of the Animal Totems are also detailed although there might be some regional and tribal variations to their symbolism and meaning.
Chart of Animal Totems and Meanings |
||||
Animal Totems & Meanings |
Alligator |
|
||
Animal Totems & Meanings | Badger |
Badger – Bold, out-going, good communicator |
||
Animal Totems & Meanings | Bat |
Bat – Death and Rebirth and Guardian of the Night |
||
Animal Totems & Meanings | Beaver |
Beaver – Creative and Artistic ability, builder, resourcefulness and determination |
||
Animals Totem & Meaning | Bear |
Bear – Strength, Solitude, Motherhood, Teaching and to learn Humility Meaning of Bear |
||
Animal Totems & Meanings | Bobcat |
Bobcat – Independence, Clear Vision and self reliance |
||
Animal Totems & Meanings | Bumblebee |
Bumblebee – Honesty, Pure Thinking, Willingness and Drive |
||
Animal Totems & Meanings | Buffalo |
Buffalo – A manifestation of the Great Spirit, Knowledge, Generosity and abundance |
||
Animal Totems & Meanings | Butterfly |
Butterfly – Represents transformation and the ability to accept change |
||
Animal Totems & Meanings | Cougar |
Cougar – Power, leadership, humility and encourages responsibility for life |
||
Animals Totem & Meaning | Cow |
Cow – Represents Motherhood, contentment, fertility and nourishment |
||
Animal Totems & Meanings | Crocodile |
Crocodile – Strong will, Emotional understanding, cleansing and healing |
||
Animal Totems & Meanings | Coyote |
Coyote – Helps you recognize your own mistakes, Stealth, Clowning and Humor |
||
Animal Totems & Meanings | Crow |
Crow – Find balance living in present, release past beliefs, Skill and Cunning |
||
Animal Totems & Meanings | Deer |
Deer – Healing, Gentleness, kindness & compassion |
||
Animal Totems & Meanings | Dolphin |
Dolphin – Interpreting dreams, Change, Wisdom, Communication, |
||
Animals Totem & Meaning | Dog |
Dog – Guidance, Loyalty and trust |
||
Animal Totems & Meanings | Dogfish |
Dogfish – Persistence and Strength A Born Leader |
||
Animal Totems & Meanings | Dove |
Dove – Love, Gentleness and Kindness |
||
Animal Totems & Meanings | Dragonfly |
Dragonfly – Dreams, Illusions, Ever-changing Life |
||
Animal Totems & Meanings | Eagle |
Eagle – Great Strength, courage Leadership and Prestige |
||
Animals Totem & Meaning | Elk |
Elk – Bravery, agility and independence |
||
Animal Totems & Meanings | Falcon |
The Falcon – Soul Healing, Speed and Movement |
||
Animal Totems & Meanings | Fox |
The Fox – Cunning, Stealth and Feminine Courage |
||
Animal Totems & Meanings | Frog |
Frog – Spring & New Life, Sensitivity, Communicator, Stability |
||
Animal Totems & Meanings | Grizzly Bear |
The Grizzly Bear – Strength and Ferocity |
||
Animal Totems & Meanings | Halibut |
The Halibut – Life protector, Strength and Stability |
||
Animal Totems & Meanings | Hawk |
The Hawk – Guardianship, Strength, Far Sighted |
||
Animals Totem & Meaning | Heron |
The Heron – Patience, Graceful and Easy Going |
||
Animal Totems & Meanings | Horse |
Horse – Energy, Power, Message carrier, communicates with other realms |
||
Animal Totems & Meanings | Hummingbird |
Hummingbird – Love, Beauty, Intelligence, Spirit Messenger and Stopper of Time |
||
Animal Totems & Meanings | Killer Whale |
The Killer Whale – Seas and the Underworld, Traveler & Guardian and Symbol of Good |
||
Animals Totem & Meaning | Kingfisher |
The Kingfisher – Luck, Patience, Speed and Agility |
||
Animal Totems & Meanings | Lizard |
The Lizard – Awareness, Conservation, subconscious hopes and fears |
||
Animal Totems & Meanings | Moose |
The Moose – Headstrong, Balance and Longevity |
||
Animal Totems & Meanings | Mouse |
Mouse – Observant qualities and diligence |
||
Animal Totems & Meanings | Otter |
The Otter – Feminine Power, Playful, Trusting, Inquisitive, Bright, Loyal and speedy |
||
Animals Totem & Meaning | Owl |
The Owl – Wisdom, silent and swift, ability to see things normally, a creature of the night |
||
Animal Totems & Meanings | Raccoon |
Raccoon – Curiosity, Creativity, Dexterity, Disguise |
||
Animal Totems & Meanings | Raven |
Raven – Creation & Knowledge – Bringer of the Light |
||
Animal Totems & Meanings | Porcupine |
Porcupine – Safety and Protection |
||
Animal Totems & Meanings | Salmon |
Salmon – Persistence, Dependability and Renewal – A Provider |
||
Animal Totems & Meanings | Seal |
The Seal – Bright, Inquisitive, Organized |
||
Animal Totems & Meanings | Shark |
The Shark – Remorselessness, Survival, Adaptability |
||
Animals Totem & Meaning | Snake |
The Snake – Rebirth, Resurrection, Initiation and Transformation |
||
Animal Totems & Meanings | Spider |
The Spider – Creativity, weaving the web of fate |
||
Animal Totems & Meanings | Squirrel |
Squirrel – Planning and Preparation |
||
Animals Totem & Meaning | Turtle |
The Turtle – Self-Reliance, Tenacity, Slow Progress |
||
Animal Totems & Meanings | Weasel |
The Weasel – Encourages you to develop your sense of inner hearing and to pay attention to your inner voice |
||
Animal Totems & Meanings | Whale |
The Whale – Ancient Knowledge, Awareness |
||
Animals Totem & Meaning | Wolf |
The Wolf – Intelligence & Leadership – Strong Sense of Family |
Source(s):
Totenism in Native American culture