Totemic
noun
1.
a natural object or an animate being, as an animal or bird, assumed as the emblem of a clan, family, or group.
2.
an object or natural phenomenon with which a family or sib considers itself closely related.
3.
a representation of such an object serving as the distinctive mark of the clan or group.
4.
anything serving as a distinctive, often venerated, emblem or symbol.
noun
1.
(in some societies, esp among North American Indians) an object, species of animal or plant, or natural phenomenon symbolizing a clan, family, etc, often having ritual associations
2.
a representation of such an object
totem definition
An animal, plant, or other object in nature that has a special relationship to a person, family, or clan and serves as a sign for that person or group.
see: low man on the totem pole
Read Also:
- Totemism
noun 1. the practice of having totems. 2. the system of tribal division according to totems. noun 1. the belief in kinship of groups or individuals having a common totem 2. the rituals, taboos, and other practices associated with such a belief totemism [(toh-tuh-miz-uhm)] The belief that people are descended from animals, plants, and other […]
- Totemist
noun 1. a member of a clan, family, or group distinguished by a totem.
- Totemite
noun 1. totemist.
- Totem-pole
noun 1. a pole or post carved and painted with totemic figures, erected by Indians of the northwest coast of North America, especially in front of their houses. 2. a hierarchical system: the bureaucratic totem pole. noun 1. a pole carved or painted with totemic figures set up by certain North American Indians, esp those […]
- Totems
noun 1. a natural object or an animate being, as an animal or bird, assumed as the emblem of a clan, family, or group. 2. an object or natural phenomenon with which a family or sib considers itself closely related. 3. a representation of such an object serving as the distinctive mark of the clan […]