what is the relevance of totemism in religion does any one knows?

Answer 1

Check out this web site it explains it in detail. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Totem
A totem is 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.

A simplified dramatic example of this belief in practice is in the Walt Disney Pictures animated film, Brother Bear. In the film, a boy from a proto-Inuit tribe receives a totem of the Bear, which represents Love. Although he initially rejects it, by the end of the story he follows its ideals more literally than anyone ever dreamed possible.

For some tribes, totems can represent larger groups than the individual person, and clans and tribes can have a totem. 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 totem myth.

Although the term is of Native American origin, totemistic beliefs are not limited to Native Americans. Similar totemism-like beliefs have been historically found throughout much of the world, including Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Africa, Australia and the Arctic polar region.

In modern times, some individuals, not otherwise involved in the practice of a tribal religion, have chosen to adopt as a personal totem an animal which has some kind of special meaning to them. This practice is prevalent in, but not limited to, the New Age movement. Beliefs regarding totems can vary, from merely adopting one as a whim, to adopting an animal that a person sees representing favorable traits reflected in their own behavior or appearance. A few believe their totem acts as a literal spirit guide. Some Native Americans and other followers of tribal religions take a dim view of New Agers' and others' adoption of totem animals, arguing that a non-adherent cannot truly understand totemism apart from the cultural context, and that at worst, it represents a commercialization of their religious beliefs.

Answer 2

to·tem (tō'təm)
n.

An animal, plant, or natural object serving among certain tribal or traditional peoples as the emblem of a clan or family and sometimes revered as its founder, ancestor, or guardian.
A representation of such an object.
A social group having a common affiliation to such an object.
A venerated emblem or symbol: “grew up with the totems and taboos typical of an Irish Catholic kid in Boston” (Connie Paige).
[Ojibwa nindoodem, my totem.]

totemic to·tem'ic (-tĕm'ĭk) adj.

Answer 3

Totems were got here across to have gone back previous even prepared faith. Primitive hunters would frequently carry animal totems to help of their hunts. i imagine even interior of monotheistic religions totems proceed immediately. case in point catholics will placed on a crucifix to help in the direction of proper god as a fashion to receive advantages both in this existence or the subsequent. Totems are extremely the in ordinary words religous expression i love. case in point if you're a "pagan" wearing a pentagram or some type of nature image is a good thanks to progression in the direction of cohesion with nature. (in my view purely because you at the on the spot are not a follower of between the monotheistic religions would not make you a pagan.) (i trust the historic Romans and Greeks stated those who did not keep on with their polytheistic religions as "pagans". not a lot adjustments i wager.) From a historic element of veiw those who worshiped nature were stated as Pantheists not Pagans. obviously that became formerly Christianity. i in my view placed on a hammer amulet as my totem and keep a sheet of paper with Norse runes on it with me for danger-free practices. even with the undeniable fact that it is because I keep on with Norse Pantheism. in case you wanna call me a pagan it really is fantastic through me.

Answer 4

It uses symbology to represent something. The cross is like a totem for Christians, it represents their god and His sacrafice.

Answer 5

Can you state this another way?