Totem
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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| - | # any [[natural]] [[object]] or [[living]] [[creature]] that serves as an [[emblem]] of a [[tribe]], [[clan]] or [[family]] | ||
| - | # the [[representation]] of such object or creature | ||
| - | # the clan etc whose [[kinship]] is defined in reference to such an object or creature | ||
| A '''totem''' is any supposed entity that watches over or assists a group of people, such as a family, [[clan]], or tribe. | A '''totem''' is any supposed entity that watches over or assists a group of people, such as a family, [[clan]], or tribe. | ||
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A totem is any supposed entity that watches over or assists a group of people, such as a family, clan, or tribe.
Totems support larger groups than the individual person. In kinship and descent, if the apical ancestor of a clan is nonhuman, it is called a totem. Normally this belief is accompanied by a totemic myth.
Although the term is of Ojibwa origin, totemistic beliefs are not limited to Native American Indians. Similar totemism-like beliefs have been historically present throughout much of the world, including Africa, Asia, Australia, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, and the Arctic polar region.
In modern times, some single individuals, not otherwise involved in the practice of a tribal religion, have chosen to adopt a personal spirit animal helper, which has special meaning to them, and refer to this as a totem. This non-traditional usage of the term is prevalent in, but not limited to, the New Age movement, and the mythopoetic men's movement.
