Symbols


TotemPole, originally uploaded by carolsLittleWorld.

Totem poles are symbols-a likeness of man carved out in wood for all to see. Totem poles are usually very large-they stand taller than man and they sometimes represent stories, legends, or other tales drawn out and carved into eternity. Some natives felt that totem poles protected them, others used them for purposes of shame-to mark unpaid debt or some other crisis of ethics. Hey, what better way to get somebody to pay up then to erect a giant scary looking fake wooden man on their front lawn? It beats whacking them in the kneecaps and, I’d guess, it gets the message across.

One of the cool things about totem poles is that, after they’ve been carved, nobody expects them to live on for years to come. Often, the stories behind them are forgotten, leaving odd looking sculpture, carvings from a bygone era, behind for all to see. It’s kind of neat if you think about it-almost like photos themselves, only carved from wood.

Oh, and some of them are kind of mean or scary looking. Yeah, this might be one of those.

Until next time…

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2 Comments

  1. mythopolis
    Author
    May 14, 2010 / 2:39 pm

    Totems are a fascinating study, actually.

  2. Carol
    Author
    May 16, 2010 / 2:25 am

    Aren't they interesting? Such wild faces too!

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