(Via/ www.cathedralgrove.eu )

Totem Pole is a totem pole carved from wood by Native Americans along the Pacific Northwest coast of the North American continent (Alaska to California). There may be totems or phrases related to tribes and families on the top. Totem Pole itself depicts a variety of objects, common ones such as: owls, eagles, frogs, beavers, bears, thunderbirds, etc. Most of them are real things, and a few depict monsters and animals with super powers from myths and legends. etc., formed by stacking various elements. Generally speaking, the carvings at the top of the totem pole are more important, and the higher the hat worn by the figure above, the more representative of his or her high social status.

(Image source artofliving.summitlodge.com )

The elements and designs also vary from different tribes. The northern tribes mostly carve leaves and plants, using black and red to represent the land, and some are dotted with Turkish blue. The southern tribes are full of southern style, and the most well-known typical Totem Pole It is of the Wakashan tribe and has a colorful ptarmigan carved above. No matter which region the tribal Totem Pole is, the most basic color combinations are red, black, and green.

(Via/ Totem Of My Soul )

The Totem Pole carving material is American red shirt, and its distribution location is the Native American settlement in the coastal area. The wood is soft and has straight grains, making it easier to carve. After carving, the red color of the wood itself can be seen, and then it turns to gray, which is the color of common totem poles.

(Via/ The Canadian Encyclopedia )

The Totem Pole erected on the Pacific Northwest coast of North America is not an object of worship, nor does it symbolize any religious meaning. Its meaning varies depending on the location where it is erected. Some serve as pillars of the house, some serve as decoration of the house, and some Monuments erected for special events, some have hollows in the middle to serve as cemeteries for placing bones, marking areas to divide areas, welcoming guests or commemorating celebrations, etc., all have various functions, except for the sculptor or family members. Others have a clear understanding of what the Totem Pole originally stood for, while others find it difficult to tell the meaning of the Totem Pole based on the carvings.

(Via/ Wikimedia )

The origin time of Totem Pole cannot be confirmed. At present, it is only known that it was first discovered and recorded by white people while sailing on the northwest coast of North America in the second half of the 18th century. Since no totem pole earlier than the 18th century has been found in archaeological surveys, and The northwest Pacific coast is a temperate rainforest, and wood is prone to corrosion. It is impossible to verify whether the totem poles from earlier have rotted. In addition, for the local aborigines, apart from the original significance of erecting the Totem Pole, no consideration was given to subsequent preservation and restoration. Even if the Totem Pole is relocated, the Totem Pole will not be taken away, but will be allowed to decay and return to the earth.

(via/ georginacoburnarts )

White people began to collect and store Totem Pole in the second half of the 19th century and the 20th century. Today, Totem Pole can be seen in museums around the world. Its carving and construction reached its peak in the 19th century. However, starting in the 1860s, due to the introduction of smallpox infection by white people, the aboriginal population plummeted and it declined.

(Via/ Pittsburgh Post-Gazette )

In the first half of the 20th century, the awareness of Aboriginal traditional culture increased and the preservation of Totem Pole began. After World War II, Totem Pole was actively preserved and maintained in various places. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, the museum undertook restoration and reproduction of its ancient totem poles. After the 1970s, totem poles were gradually established as displays in public areas of museums. However, after the 1970s, totem poles have gradually been transformed into the personal symbols of aboriginal people, which is different from the multiple meanings they had at the beginning.

(Via/ Monkey Puzzle Blog )