Common Symbolism and Features Attributed to Totem Creatures
There are only three kingdoms in totem pole folklore:
- Earth Realm
- Sky Realm
- Underwater World
Bear |
Beaver |
Buffalo |
Bumblebee |
Butterfly |
Clam |
Copper |
Komokwa |
Cougar |
Cow |
Coyotee |
Crocodile |
Crow |
Deer |
Dirty Skin Man |
Dogfish |
Dolphin |
Dove |
Dragon Fly |
Dzunkwa |
Eagle |
Frog |
Goose |
Halibut |
Hawk |
Heron |
Horse |
Human |
Hummingbird |
Insects |
Kingfisher |
Kolus |
Lizard |
Loon |
Moon |
Mosquito |
Mountain Goat |
Mouse |
Octopus |
Otter |
Owl |
Oyster |
People |
Raven |
Salmon |
Sea Creatures |
Seal |
Siskiutl |
Snakes |
Spiders |
Squirrel |
Sun God |
Supernatural |
Swan |
Thunderbird |
Toad |
Turtle |
Weasel |
Whale |
Wolf |
These definitions are commonly attributed to the birds, fish, animals, people and mythological creatures used in Western tribal arts. Some tribes may have different meanings.
- Bear and Grizzly Bear:
Very common in stories and legends. Bears must not be insulted or cursed. Similar in appearance to wolves but with large nostrils and paws, sharp fangs, high forehead and frequently a protruding tongue. Spiritual attributes include ferocity, strength, humility, motherhood, teaching. Bears can transform into lumbering human form and male bears like to marry human princesses. Twin children of bears quickly grow into adult form. Bears can make fire out of wet sticks (or bear wood) and cause much trouble in relationships with humans. Bear Cubs are commonly featured in West Coast traditions.
Beaver:
Easily recognized by a large flat tail and two large front teeth. They are usually shown eating wooden sticks. Their upturned tails are a symbol of wealth. Beavers are frequently associated with Eagles. The beaver is a creative, artistic and determined creature who can construct fine arrows . Beavers are also vengeful creatures who hate humans. Never say anything bad about the beaver. A provoked beaver will dig tunnels under villages and cause earthquakes and landslides. - Buffalo:
Spiritual attribute represents the Great Spirit manifested
- Bumblebee:
Spiritual attributes include honesty, pure thinking, willingness and drive
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- Butterfly:
Spiritual attributes include transformation and acceptance of change
- Clam or Giant Killer Clam:
exists in legends and myths see Giant Rock Oyster Boy in Saxman Totem Park
- Copper or Hiatsk:
a Northwest Coastal symbol for wealth, power and prestige. To give the gift of a Copper is considered a sign of great respect and honor.
Copper Woman:
Spiritual attributes of copper include wealth and prestige. Copper Woman is the interfering, social climbing wife of Komokwa, the Chief of the Undersea World. She befriends the Frog and when disguised as Volcano Woman can cause volcanic eruptions.- Komokwa:
Chief of the Undersea World and the master and protecter of the seals. The word Komokwa means "wealthy one."
- Cougar:
Spiritual attributes include power, leadership and responsibility for life.
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- Cow:
Spiritual attributes include motherhood, nourishment and fertility.
- Coyote:
Spiritual attributes include the ability to help you recognize your mistakes.
Crocodile:
- Crow:
Spiritual attributes include helping you find balance by living in present and releasing past beliefs.
- Deer:
Spiritual attributes include gentleness, kindness and compassion.
- Dirty Skin/Strong Man:
Spiritual attributes include super human strength. Frequently featured splitting sea monsters apart with his bare hands
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- Dogfish or shark:
Spiritual attributes include persistence and strength. The dogfish is represented with gill slits as crescents, frowning crescent shaped mouth filled with sharp, saw-like teeth.
- Dolphin:
Spiritual attributes include breath, communication. Dolphins are thought to be able to interpret dreams.
- Dove:
Spiritual attributes include love, gentleness and kindness.
Dragon Fly:
Spiritual attributes include ever-changing life.- Dzunkwa or Tsonoqua, Wild Woman or Cannibal woman:
The giantress of the forest. She is portrayed with pursed lips and squinted eyes designed to entice or lure victims into her trap. An Earth Realm Goddess whose spiritual attributes include eternal life and the ability to transform into clouds of mosquitos when burned in fire. Dzunkwa owns valuable treasures that humans like to steal; smells awful; collects children who often escape because she is so dull-witted. Parents warn their children, "be careful or Tsonoqua will get you!"
- Eagle:
Aristocratic lord of the Sky Realm, the eagle is a common clan symbol. Spiritual attributes include great strength, courage leadership and prestige. A primary mythological figure on totem poles that signifies peace and friendship. The eagle's downward-curving hooked beak distinguishes it from Raven. Eagles live with Thunderbirds and other lordly Eagles and will occasionally transform into a human dancer. Eagle Feathers are considered good luck to both giver and receiver.
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- Frog:
Spiritual attributes include spring, new life, communicator and stability. The frog is a misunderstood and underestimated creature but also a symbol of wealth. Frogs are friends with Copper Woman and can survive volcanic eruptions. Never insult a frog.
- Goose:
Spiritual attributes include safe return and love of home.
- Halibut:
Spiritual attributes include life protector, strength and stability. Usually depicted with a continuous fin and both eyes on the same side.
- Hawk:
Spiritual attributes include strength, far sighted vision. The hawk can transform into Hawk Woman or Hawk Man. The hawk hates mosquitoes and is aloof but will assist humans at times.
- Heron:
Spiritual attributes include patience, grace and a mellow personality.
Horse:
Spiritual attributes include communicate with other realms and can carry messages.
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- Human:
Can be family members, chiefs, wives, children, etc. women frequently are distinguished by a labret in their lower lip.
- Hummingbird:
Spiritual attributes include love, beauty, intelligence, spirit. The hummingbird has a long, thin beak and is a considered to be a messenger.
Insects:
are carved similar to birds and can be difficult to recognize in totem pole art. See dragonfly, mosquito.- Kingfisher:
A bird. Spiritual attributes include luck, patience, speed and agility.
- Kolus:
Thunderbird's dull-witted brother. Kolus has great strength and helps transport longhouse poles for house building. He is covered with white feathers but because he is strong-willed and a show off, he frequently flies too close to the sun so the tips of his wings are always singed black. Kolus is said to be able to transform into human form.
- Lizard:
Spiritual attributes include awareness, subconscious, hope and fear.
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- Loon:
Spiritual attributes include peace, tranquility and is has a generous giving nature.
- Moon:
Spiritual attributes include protector and guardian of the Earth by night. Visually represented by a big circle which frequently has the face of a Thunderbird or other mythological creature. Mythology a Moon God is the symbol of the moon.
- Mosquito:
Spiritual attributes include as having risen from the burned ashes of Dzunkwa, the Cannibal Woman. The mosquito has a long, thin beak and loves to drink blood.
Mountain Goat:
Spiritual attributes include nobility. The goat has two sharp horns, cleft hooves (two toes). When the Mountain Goat is shown with only one horn it is meant to be a mythological spirit.- Mouse:
Spiritual attributes include ability to notice the little things in life
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- Octopus or Devil Fish:
Feared for its ability to grab people and drag them underwater. Attributes include bird like head, hooked beak, suction plates and tentacles.
- Otter:
Spiritual attributes include trust, inquisitiveness and intelligence. The otter is thought to be a loyal friend.
- Owl:
Spiritual attributes include wisdom, ability to see beyond normal view. Considered to be associated with death so is not used much in totem pole art. Physical attributes small triangular beak and large, round eye.
Oyster:
exists in legends and myths.
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- People
The totem pole carvings tell the stories of the people who own the totem pole. Individuals can be family members, chiefs, wives, children, etc. People play a primary part in totem pole stories and creation. Totem poles tell the life stories and history of the people who own the poles. Most of the people in this section actually appear on authentic totem poles with a few whimsical ones just for fun.
- People:
Babies:
Usually depicted beneath an adult or being held by an adult.
- People:
Fisherman:
Depicted as a fish or man holding a fish
- People:
Watchman:
Is the totem pole figure with the very tall hat that keeps watch for enemies.
- People:
Whaler:
a whaler is human that hunts whales and is portrayed as figure holding a spear or harpoon.
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- Raven:
Spiritual attributes include discovery of humankind in a clamshell, knowledge and a bringer of light. According to lore, the raven stole the light from an old chief when the world was dark, therefore it is frequently shown holding an orb in its lage, protruding beak. An important symbol, the raven common in totem pole carvings. The raven can transform into other forms, is a trickster, always hungry, curious, devious, and corrupt. It always gets into trouble but because it is so likeable it can easily get out of trouble. The raven is easily identified by a straight beak.
- Salmon:
Spiritual attributes include dependability and renewal. As a provider, the salmon is very important in West Coast culture. Salmons are portrayed with round eyes and flat sides.
- Sea Creatures:
Are generally portrayed with round eyes. All other animals are oval with a large pupil.
Seal:
Spiritual attributes include bright, inquisitive, organized.- Siskiutl:
The sea serpent is an enemy of the Thunderbird. Is feared because it can pull war canoes into the site of a battle and can turn enemy warriors into stone with a single glance. Siskiutl has removable crystal eyes and protects crest holders from injury during war.
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- Snakes or serpent:
Usually portrayed as a two headed mythological being called Siskiutl. Spiritual attributes include peace and friendship. Snakes can shed their skin so they are believed to have the ability to help shed problems in the same fashion.
- Spider:
Spiritual attributes include creativity. Spiders weave webs so they are also thought to be weavers of fate.
- Squirrel:
Is believed to be able to plan ahead and anticipate future needs. This myth probably came about because squirrels store food for winter.
- Sun or Sun God:
Spiritual attributes include healing energy. The Sun God is considered to be the guardian of the Earth by day and is portrayed is portrayed as a big circle with rays emanating form a face with a big hooked nose.
- Supernatural shapes and symbols:
Carvings of local creatures but given special attributes such as double or triple dorsal fins on killer whales, sea grizzly bears with fins, two headed snakes, etc.
- Swan:
Spiritual attributes include the ability to handle change and transformation with grace and dignity.
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Thunderbird:
Spiritual attributes include powerful and mystery. The Thunderbird is a leader who eats whales, attends human dance ceremonies and wages war in the Sky Realm. We hear and see the Thunderbird's wars during lightning and thunderstorms. The Thunderbird is portrayed with outspread wings and most often is placed at the top of totem poles. - Toads:
Are usually carved realistically and are believed to be able to protect a totem pole from wood rot.
- Turtle:
Pays attention to earthly things and keeps its feet on the ground.
- Weasel:
Includes ermine, mink and ferret. Spiritual attributes include the ability to encourages us to develop our sense of inner being.
- Whale and Killer Whale, Orca or Kwakiutl:
Spiritual attributes include goodness and having the ability to share the wisdom of the ages. Whales are rulers of the Underwater Realm where they live with other noble supernatural beings. The whale hates Thunderbirds which frequently scoop them out of the water to eat them. Some whales can turn into wolves and walk on land. The killer whale is usually portrayed with long flat sides with white or black tail fins, two or more dorsal fins, large head, upturned mouth and two spins above the eyes. Many times it is holding a fish or a seal in its mouth.
- Wolf:
Spiritual attributes include intelligence, leadership. Wolves are portrayed very similar in appearance with bears with sharp teeth and high forehead but have long sharp muzzles and elevated snouts. Wolves are able to heal human sickness but this healing is costly so they generally avoid human contact. Wolf cubs are popular in West Coast mythology.
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