what are totem poles for?

Answer 1

What sho-nuff said. But also, they are used as a way to identify the families. Like say a totem poll that has a bear, eagle, and a wolf(from top to bottom) is the totem of the Jones family(I dunno any indian last names) then whenever you see that totem pole outside of a hut or something, you'll know who lives in that hut...

Answer 2

Totem Poles are regularly linked with Western American Indians. they are throughout, nonetheless, and a few of them in Western Asia and Europe have been got here across (nicely, the maintains to be of them) concerning the comparable time. in reality, Stone Hedge has a circle of wood 'totem' poles around it which have been crammed with bones of the ineffective. It became some form of dying ritual.

Answer 3

They are a symbol of a tribe's, or a family within a tribe's spiritual connection with aspects of certain animals, such as the cleverness of a raven, the hard work of a beaver, the strength of a bear, the flight and eyesight of an eagle, etc.

Not all Native tribes have them, they are predominantly in the upper Northwest, parts of Canada and Alaska.

Answer 4

Family or clan crests, using natural or mythical creatures as symbols, were proud possessions for personal identification. The Eagle clan’s crests included stylistically carved or painted eagles, cormorants, beavers, and dogfish, whereas the Raven clan’s crests included mountain goats, killer whales, grizzly bears, and rainbows. These crests were not merely decorative but depicted the family’s lineage, wealth, and status, as well as the privileges, songs, and stories of the clan.

While the carved poles were not idolized, some of the crest figures had mythical or spiritual significance, depicting supernatural ancestors with magical powers to transform themselves into animals and back again

Answer 5

In New Zealand we have totem poles you could call them and some depict the genealogy of that particular tribe of people. In Moari its called whakapapa

Answer 6

I was in Alaska two months ago and they said they are markers for story's(like a marker that tells what happened here)and remembrances

Answer 7

It is a symble of some cultures gods all being connected as one. They usually pray to them or ask them spiritual questions. It is a symbol of affection toward their gods.

Answer 8

symbols individual american indian tribes "worshipped" and identified with. you know like, "clan of the cave bear." eagles and bears rated high with them all. just carved faces on a big log and painted them and it served like a spirtual blog.

Answer 9

They are a display of the divine animals or guardians.

Answer 10

they represent the guardian animals or sacred animals of that specific tribe.