Totem poles (Haida: gyáaʼaang) [1] are monumental carvings found in western Canada and the northwestern United States. They are a type of Northwest Coast art, consisting of poles, posts or pillars, carved with symbols or figures.

Totem pole, carved and painted log, mounted vertically, constructed by the Native Americans of the Northwest Coast of the United States and Canada. There are seven principal kinds of totem poles: memorial poles, grave markers, house posts, portal poles, welcoming poles, mortuary poles, and ridicule poles.

Mar 15, 2007 · Carved of large, straight red cedar and painted vibrant colours, the totem pole is representative of both coastal Indigenous culture and Northwest Coast Indigenous Art. One of the totem poles in Alert Bay, British Columbia, is said to be the tallest in the world.

Nov 20, 2012 · A totem pole depicts emblems of animals and mythological creatures that are believed to have spiritual significance and who watch over the families, clans, or tribes who adhere to the belief of Totemism. The Totem Pole symbolizes guardian spirits or helpers each of the animals, images and symbols have special and specific meanings.

May 21, 2021 · Each aspect of a totem pole is as important and individualized as the animal it is based on. The four clans that have a particularly rich history involving the totem pole are the Eyak, Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian cultures. These communities are marked on …

What are totem poles? Totem poles are monuments created by First Nations of the Pacific Northwest to represent and commemorate ancestry, histories, people, or events. Totem poles are typically created out of red cedar, a malleable wood relatively abundant in the Pacific Northwest, and would be erected to be visible within a community.

Totem poles are monuments of religious, spiritual and social significance. They are typically built by the Native American tribes in the Pacific Northwest areas of United States. The totem poles are used to show off affluence, prestige and social standing of a family or individual.

Sep 25, 2024 · What Is a Totem Pole? A totem pole is a tall, vertical wooden carving created by Indigenous people of the Pacific Northwest, particularly the Haida, Tlingit, and Tsimshian tribes. These poles are usually carved from cedar trees, which are both abundant and resistant to rot.

Nov 26, 2024 · Totem poles were carved by Indigenous people in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States and Canada to display family lineage, history, and myths.

Totem poles are sculptures carved from large trees, such as the Western Red Cedar. In North America, totem poles are part of the cultures of many indigenous peoples of Alaska, British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest.