Totem
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| + | A '''totem''' is a being, object, or symbol representing an animal or plant that serves as an emblem of a group of [[people]], such as a [[family]], [[clan]], group, lineage, or [[tribe]], reminding them of their ancestry (or mythic past). In [[kinship and descent]], if the [[apical ancestor|apical ancestor]] of a clan is nonhuman, it is called a totem. Normally this belief is accompanied by a totemic myth. They have been around for many years. They are usually in the shape of an animal, and every animal has a certain personality, e.g Owl: | ||
| - | A '''totem''' is any supposed entity that watches over or assists a group of people, such as a family, [[clan]], or tribe. | + | The Owl - Wisdom, silent and swift and wise. |
| - | Totems support larger groups than the individual person. In [[kinship and descent]], if the [[apical]] [[ancestor]] of a clan is nonhuman, it is called a totem. Normally this belief is accompanied by a [[totemic myth]]. | + | Although the term is of [[Ojibwe]] origin in [[North America]], [[totemism|totemistic beliefs]] are not limited to [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Native Americans]] and [[Aboriginal peoples in Canada]]. Similar totem-like beliefs have been historically present in societies throughout much of the world, including Africa, Arabia, Asia, Australia, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, and the Arctic polar region. |
| - | Although the term is of [[Ojibwa]] origin, totemistic beliefs are not limited to [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Native American]] Indians. Similar totemism-like beliefs have been historically present throughout much of the world, including Africa, Asia, Australia, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, and the Arctic polar region. | + | In modern times, some single individuals, not otherwise involved in the practice of a tribal religion, have chosen to adopt a personal [[Power animal|spirit animal]] helper, which has special meaning to them, and may refer to this as a totem. This non-traditional usage of the term is prevalent in the [[New Age]] movement and the [[mythopoetic men's movement]]. |
| - | In modern times, some single individuals, not otherwise involved in the practice of a tribal religion, have chosen to adopt a personal spirit animal helper, which has special meaning to them, and refer to this as a totem. This non-traditional usage of the term is prevalent in, but not limited to, the [[New Age]] movement, and the [[mythopoetic men's movement]]. | + | |
| + | ==See also== | ||
| + | *[[Animal worship]] | ||
| + | *[[Animism]] | ||
| + | *[[Anishinaabe clan system]] | ||
| + | *[[Aumakua]] | ||
| + | *[[Axis Mundi]] | ||
| + | *[[Charge (heraldry)]] | ||
| + | *[[Devak]], a type of family totem in Maratha culture | ||
| + | *[[Fylgja]] | ||
| + | *[[Jangseung]] | ||
| + | *[[Moiety (kinship)|Moiety]] | ||
| + | *[[Nature worship]] | ||
| + | *[[Tamga]], an abstract seal or device used by Eurasian nomadic peoples | ||
| + | *''[[Totem and Taboo]]'' by [[Sigmund Freud]] | ||
| + | *[[Vahana]] | ||
| + | *[[Wildlife totemization]] | ||
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Revision as of 09:09, 18 September 2013
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A totem is a being, object, or symbol representing an animal or plant that serves as an emblem of a group of people, such as a family, clan, group, lineage, or tribe, reminding them of their ancestry (or mythic past). In kinship and descent, if the apical ancestor of a clan is nonhuman, it is called a totem. Normally this belief is accompanied by a totemic myth. They have been around for many years. They are usually in the shape of an animal, and every animal has a certain personality, e.g Owl:
The Owl - Wisdom, silent and swift and wise.
Although the term is of Ojibwe origin in North America, totemistic beliefs are not limited to Native Americans and Aboriginal peoples in Canada. Similar totem-like beliefs have been historically present in societies throughout much of the world, including Africa, Arabia, Asia, Australia, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, and the Arctic polar region.
In modern times, some single individuals, not otherwise involved in the practice of a tribal religion, have chosen to adopt a personal spirit animal helper, which has special meaning to them, and may refer to this as a totem. This non-traditional usage of the term is prevalent in the New Age movement and the mythopoetic men's movement.
See also
- Animal worship
- Animism
- Anishinaabe clan system
- Aumakua
- Axis Mundi
- Charge (heraldry)
- Devak, a type of family totem in Maratha culture
- Fylgja
- Jangseung
- Moiety
- Nature worship
- Tamga, an abstract seal or device used by Eurasian nomadic peoples
- Totem and Taboo by Sigmund Freud
- Vahana
- Wildlife totemization
