Totem Pole Symbols and Meanings

Identifying Totem Pole Symbols and Images

Men and Women are represented fairly realistically. People can be depicted upright but more often in a crouching position. People are shown with erect ears and women are distinguished from men by a labret (lip ornament) in their lower lip.
 

The top figures often identify the tribe, clan or lineage such as the eagle or the raven
 

The eyes of land animals are carved as two curves enclosing a circle. Four legged animals are usually depicted in a crouching position. The bodies of most animals are facing the front.
 

The eyes of fish and some sea mammals are carved with round eyes
 

Birds are usually carved perched with their wings outstretched or folded at their sides. Their legs have large, clawed feet. Beaks horizontally protrude from the figure or carved tucked against the chest. All birds have eyebrows and have ears on the top of their heads.
 

Images from nature including the sun, moon, stars and rainbows are also depicted
 

The Wolf are carved with tall ears, a long sharp muzzle, elevated snout and lots of teeth
 

The Eagle is distinguished by its short, curved beak
 

The beaver is distinguished by its two protruding teeth and round nostrils. The beaver is often portrayed holding
 

The Mountain Goat is depicted with slender, sharp horns and cleft hoof with two toes
 

The Killer Whale has two spines above the round eyes, two prominent dorsal fins, a large head and a mouth turned up at the corners. Often has spots painted on its back.
 

The Shark is depicted with gills slits as crescents and a crescent shaped mouth, turned down at the corners and filled with saw-like teeth
 

The Frog is portrayed as if seen from above.
 

The Halibut has a continuous fin and is depicted with both eyes on one side
 

The Octopus is traditionally depicted with a bird like head, hooked bill, suction plates and tentacles
 

A realistic depiction of a bear but with large nostrils, paws, and fangs
 

The Raven is portrayed with a short, sharp, protruding beak
 

Various styles are used in Insect designs and are carved in a similar fashion to birds making their species difficult to distinguish
 

Identifying Supernatural Totem Pole Symbols and Images

These would often be a combination of both real and imaginary creatures - for example a wolf might be carved with wings
 

Often seen at the top of the Totem Pole. It is a powerful spirit and depicted with great wings and curled feathers or horns on its head
 

The Kolus is a supernatural bird that has straight feathers or horns on its head
 

The Mawdzeks, another mythical bird, resembling an eagle, with a short beak turned down and depicted with his wing wrapped in front of him.
 

The Huxwhukw, or the Cannibal Bird, is a crest of the Kwakiutl tribe. It is depicted with an extremely long chisel-shaped beak (with which it devours the brains of men)
 

The Sisiutl is a scaly double-headed serpent. The Sisiutl is another crest of the Kwakiutl tribe and has magical powers to transform into many forms representing both good and evil. It is a snake like horizontal figure depicted with a profile head, teeth and a large curled tongue at each end of the serpent. In the middle of its body is a human head with horns. 
 

The Dzunukwa is a grotesque female giant and always painted with black. She is depicted with deep eye sockets, half closed eyes, pursed lips and pendulous breasts.
 

The Haida Watchmen wear tall hats and their figures are on the top of totem poles, that guard the house of the chief,  from where they can keep watch over the village.
 

Identifying Totem Pole Symbols and Images