What are Totems
Definition of Animal Totems: What are Animal Totems and what are the meanings of 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.
Meanings
Animal Totems that also included supernatural creatures of mythology and legend all had a special meaning, characteristic and significance. Animal Totems are Animal Spirits that can be called upon, by an individual or a tribe, for its special powers to serve as a guardian or protector when facing adversity. Animal Totems and their meanings are detailed on our Animal Totems chart.
North west totems
Animal Totems are particularly associated with the Totem Poles that are created by six tribes of Northwest Indians, the indigenous people of the Pacific Northwest Coast. The names of the Northwest Tribes who carved Animal Totems on Totem Poles were the Tlingit, Haida, Bella Coola, Kwakiutl, Tsimshian and the West Coast tribes. Animal Totems and symbols are carved and painted on to long wooden poles that represented the emblems of clans or families and relate to their belief in Totemism. Animal totems were believed to have spiritual significance and watched over the family, clan, or tribe symbolizing their guardian spirit or helper. Animal Totems were not worshipped but they inspired immense respect. Refer to Totem Pole Art and Design for additional facts and information about the design of Totem Poles and their symbolism.
Animism totems
The idea and concept behind Totemism is that people have a spiritual connection or kinship with creatures or objects in nature, making the practice very similar to Animism. Animism is a belief based on the spiritual idea that the universe, and all natural objects within the universe, have souls or spirits. It is believed that souls or spirits exist not only in humans but also in animals, plants, trees, rocks and all natural forces. The concepts of Totemism, Animism, Ritualism and Shamanism should all be considered to gain a full understanding of the religious beliefs of the Native American tribes that included Animal totems.
Meanings
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.
| Animal Totems & Meanings | Alligator | Alligator - Emotional understanding, cleansing &Spiritual Healing | ||
| Animal Totems & Meanings | Badger |
Badger - Bold, out-going, good communicator
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| Animal Totems & Meanings | Bat |
Bat - Death and Rebirth and Guardian of the Night
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| Animal Totems & Meanings | Beaver |
Beaver - Creative and Artistic ability, builder, resourcefulness and determination
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| Animals Totem & Meaning | Bear |
Bear - Strength, Solitude, Motherhood, Teaching and to learn Humility Meaning of Bear
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| Animal Totems & Meanings | Bobcat |
Bobcat - Independence, Clear Vision and self reliance
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| Animal Totems & Meanings | Bumblebee |
Bumblebee - Honesty, Pure Thinking, Willingness and Drive
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| Animal Totems & Meanings | Buffalo |
Buffalo - A manifestation of the Great Spirit, Knowledge, Generosity and abundance
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| Animal Totems & Meanings | Butterfly |
Butterfly - Represents transformation and the ability to accept change
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| Animal Totems & Meanings | Cougar |
Cougar - Power, leadership, humility and encourages responsibility for life
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| Animals Totem & Meaning | Cow |
Cow - Represents Motherhood, contentment, fertility and nourishment
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| Animal Totems & Meanings | Crocodile |
Crocodile - Strong will, Emotional understanding, cleansing and healing
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| Animal Totems & Meanings | Coyote |
Coyote - Helps you recognize your own mistakes, Stealth, Clowning and Humor
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| Animal Totems & Meanings | Crow |
Crow - Find balance living in present, release past beliefs, Skill and Cunning
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| Animal Totems & Meanings | Deer |
Deer - Healing, Gentleness, kindness & compassion
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| Animal Totems & Meanings | Dolphin |
Dolphin - Interpreting dreams, Change, Wisdom, Communication,
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| Animals Totem & Meaning | Dog |
Dog - Guidance, Loyalty and trust
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| Animal Totems & Meanings | Dogfish |
Dogfish - Persistence and Strength A Born Leader
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| Animal Totems & Meanings | Dove |
Dove - Love, Gentleness and Kindness
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| Animal Totems & Meanings | Dragonfly |
Dragonfly - Dreams, Illusions, Ever-changing Life
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| Animal Totems & Meanings | Eagle |
Eagle - Great Strength, courage Leadership and Prestige
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| Animals Totem & Meaning | Elk |
Elk - Bravery, agility and independence
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| Animal Totems & Meanings | Falcon |
The Falcon - Soul Healing, Speed and Movement
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| Animal Totems & Meanings | Fox |
The Fox - Cunning, Stealth and Feminine Courage
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| Animal Totems & Meanings | Frog |
Frog - Spring & New Life, Sensitivity, Communicator, Stability
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| Animal Totems & Meanings | Grizzly Bear |
The Grizzly Bear - Strength and Ferocity
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| Animal Totems & Meanings | Halibut |
The Halibut - Life protector, Strength and Stability
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| Animal Totems & Meanings | Hawk |
The Hawk - Guardianship, Strength, Far Sighted
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| Animals Totem & Meaning | Heron |
The Heron - Patience, Graceful and Easy Going
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| Animal Totems & Meanings | Horse |
Horse - Energy, Power, Message carrier, communicates with other realms
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| Animal Totems & Meanings | Hummingbird |
Hummingbird - Love, Beauty, Intelligence, Spirit Messenger and Stopper of Time
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| Animal Totems & Meanings | Killer Whale |
The Killer Whale - Seas and the Underworld, Traveler & Guardian and Symbol of Good
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| Animals Totem & Meaning | Kingfisher |
The Kingfisher - Luck, Patience, Speed and Agility
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| Animal Totems & Meanings | Lizard |
The Lizard - Awareness, Conservation, subconscious hopes and fears
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| Animal Totems & Meanings | Moose |
The Moose - Headstrong, Balance and Longevity
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| Animal Totems & Meanings | Mouse |
Mouse - Observant qualities and diligence
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| Animal Totems & Meanings | Otter |
The Otter - Feminine Power, Playful, Trusting, Inquisitive, Bright, Loyal and speedy
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| Animals Totem & Meaning | Owl |
The Owl - Wisdom, silent and swift, ability to see things normally, a creature of the night
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| Animal Totems & Meanings | Raccoon |
Raccoon - Curiosity, Creativity, Dexterity, Disguise
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| Animal Totems & Meanings | Raven |
Raven - Creation & Knowledge - Bringer of the Light
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| Animal Totems & Meanings | Porcupine |
Porcupine - Safety and Protection
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| Animal Totems & Meanings | Salmon |
Salmon - Persistence, Dependability and Renewal - A Provider
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| Animal Totems & Meanings | Seal |
The Seal - Bright, Inquisitive, Organized
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| Animal Totems & Meanings | Shark |
The Shark - Remorselessness, Survival, Adaptability
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| Animals Totem & Meaning | Snake |
The Snake - Rebirth, Resurrection, Initiation and Transformation
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| Animal Totems & Meanings | Spider |
The Spider - Creativity, weaving the web of fate
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| Animal Totems & Meanings | Squirrel |
Squirrel - Planning and Preparation
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| Animals Totem & Meaning | Turtle |
The Turtle - Self-Reliance, Tenacity, Slow Progress
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| Animal Totems & Meanings | Weasel |
The Weasel - Encourages you to develop your sense of inner hearing and to pay attention to your inner voice
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| Animal Totems & Meanings | Whale |
The Whale - Ancient Knowledge, Awareness
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| Animals Totem & Meaning | Wolf |
The Wolf - Intelligence & Leadership - Strong Sense of Family
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