Totemism is a spiritual belief that pervaded shamanistic societies, notably those of the Native Americans, and has transformed to find a place in contemporary spirituality. A totem is any entity that watches over or assists a group or an individual. In practice, it was usually an animal, a natural landform, or a piece of wood with spirit faces carved into it. Traditionally, a totem would support large groups and shamans would meditate on them to tap into a sort of social consciousness that would fill them with resolve and desire to better their group. Whatever the symbol, the totem was thought to be imbued with a spirit that was prayed to in order to secure the tribe security and good luck.
The term “totemism” is of American Ojibwa origin but, despite this, totemistic beliefs are not limited to Native Americans. There are examples of this belief existing in shamanic systems found in Western Europe, Africa, Australia and the Arctic region. Of course, many anthropologists have studied totemism, including the renowned Claude Levi-Strauss, who wrote what many consider the definitive essay on the subject, Totemism Today. This essay puts forward the idea that human cognition can in fact be enhanced through totem use. Before this, many had thought of totemism as analogous with a “primitive” mentality. Levi-Strauss believed totemism was not a primitive way of operating at all but made perfect sense as a simple and powerful way of coping with a lifestyle where abstract ideas were not common and the culture has to learn to cope with its immediate environment. In this sense, totemism could be seen as being as valid as any other religion while doubling as a social focal point for tribes to rally around.
Totemism was usually based on similarities between the tribe and the totemic animal. Tribes seeking to emulate certain qualities would pick their totem (and thus animal spirit) based on those criteria. These were usually put in symbolic form of some sort, the most popular being the totem pole. The totem poles of the world have many different designs, usually revolving around animals that are given human qualities. Animals were seen as equals and even worshiped in most shaman cultures. Totemism was a way of tapping into these animal spirits. Beyond that, a totem was also a symbolic representation of the group that empowered the whole. Metaphors like this have been unifying elements in religions across the world.
Animal totems and you
In modern times, animal totems have moved beyond being emblems of a group and have been adopted by individuals as either reflections of their own nature or embodiments of desired qualities. The adoption of animal totems is based on the belief that an animal spirit can give insight into your innermost self. Choosing a totem is relatively easy as it really is any animal whose energy you feel closely associated with. What the animal totem brings to you is its energy and its attributes.
Animal totems are animals that can teach you through their attributes and show you the way if you pay attention to them. Most people can say which animal they are particularly attracted to, or have pictures of them hanging in their homes. If you take the time to connect with the rhythms of your world you may begin to see a vast number of animals in your everyday life that you never noticed before. As much as you are able to choose your animal totem, the totems equally pick who they need to guide, help and heal. Animals that have previously held a small or no place in your consciousness may suddenly begin to appear in your life, indicating the qualities of that totem are relevant to you now.
It’s believed that the real gift of an animal totem arrives when you realize that everything is connected and make the effort to hear what your world is saying to you.
Animal totem qualities
Below is a range of animals that may resonate with you as a totem. The qualities listed may be reflected in you if you are attracted to the totem in question, or else contemplation of the totem may bring those qualities to you.
Alligator
Maternal, with survival instinct, quickness and aggression. The mothering instinct exists with protection of one’s young with jaws that can dispense death. Redirection of aggressive energies towards positive.
Ant
Industrious, self-sacrificing, knowing your place. Working for the good of the community. Determined. Building a sustainable community in a crowded world.
Antelope
Able to move with speed and grace, the ability to be still and silent, awareness of your surroundings and the ability to advance quickly.
Badger
Tidiness and organisation. Fearlessness and courage.
Bat
Free to fly and soar.
Bear
Protective mother. Strong. Going within to find answers.
Beaver
Determined. Opening new ways of communication.
Bee
Organised, industrious, communication.
Buffalo
Awakens the spirit to pray, to seek peace, to seek oneness.
Bull
Fertility, courage, fighting spirit.
Butterfly
Able to transform and to accept change. Balanced in all things.
Camel
Endurance, conservation, economising, patience.
Caribou
Adaptable to adversity
Cat
Independence, liberty and the ability to walk alone and yet find comfort, support and love. Detachment, sensuality, mystery and magic.
Cattle
Ability to heal self and others.
Cheetah
Preparedness, swiftness, focus.
Chicken
Inquisitive, observant, knowledgeable.
Cougar
Leadership, self assurance, balance.
Coyote
Humour in all things. Deceiver (without malice). Trickster. The ability to develop alternatives.
Crane
Solitude. Indicator of good fortune. Independence. Emotional stability. Spiritual awakening. Able to restore faith in your self and spirit.
Crocodile
Appropriate displays of emotion.
Crow
Crows are symbols of creation and spiritual strength. They remind us to look for opportunities to create and manifest the magic of life.
Deer
Kindness, mildness, gentleness.
Dingo
Duality. Sees life as a game and invites others to play. Can detect subtle energy changes.
Dolphin
Joy and happiness. Harmonious with ones self and surroundings. Connection to your self.
Dog
Unconditional love. Serve selflessly. Loyal.
Donkey
Perseverance. Servitude. Strong dedication to spirit. Able to get out of dangerous situations.
Dove
Love, romance, loyalty. Security and maternal instinct. Sensitive to emotions.
Dragonfly
Skilful in avoidance. Refined, tenacious, relentless.
Eagle
Overcoming the boundaries of this world. Sacred messenger. Bringer of visions from spirit. Able to see beyond the horizon.
Elephant
Teacher of compassion. Loyalty. Strength. Intelligence. Discernment. Guidance.
Elk
Strength and agility, pride, majestic, independence, purification, strength, and nobility
Falcon
New beginnings, adventure, passionate, and leadership.
Fish
Graceful, slyness, open-minded, quick to change one’s mind.
Flamingo
Heart healing, psychic, people person, flirtatious. Power of illusion. Shapeshifting. Work with group consciousness. Clear sighted
Ferret
Elusiveness. Opportunistic. Extremely focused. Holds the power of observation. Intuitive. Sensitive. Can see and know hidden meanings
Fox
Intelligence. To change with subtleness but decisiveness .
Frog
Cleaner (spiritual cleansing). Rebirth, adaptability, and opening to creative alternatives.
Giraffe
Clear vision and perspective in seeing what is next.
Goat
Lust, surefootedness, and stubbornness.
Gorilla
Gentle, protector, powerful, healer.
Goose
To bring back safely, prudent, reliable, protector of the home.
Hawk / Falcon
Messenger. Able to move between the seen and unseen world. Prophetic Insight. Clear Vision. Unified with the Great Spirit.
Heron
Able to maintain balance. Has a secure inner foundation.
Hippo
Intuitive knowing. Practicality and stability. Able to see beneath the surface.
Horse
Freedom, stamina, mobility, ability to learn new things.
Hummingbird
Power within, messenger, and knowledge of your heart.
Kangaroo
Balance, warmth, security.
Kingfisher
Able to express oneself. Able to go into the unknown without fear. Connected to past lives. Powerful teacher.
Leopard
Intuitive. Understanding the mysteries of the unconscious, the shadow aspects of ourselves.
Lion
Family, strength, energy, courage, guardian and protector. For any large or difficult undertaking.
Lizard
Survival and transformation. The ability to let go. Elusiveness, hidden defences.
Lynx
Fleeting, elusive, rare, beautiful.
Magpie
Intelligence. Adaptability. Resourcefulness. Ability to change the environment.
Meerkat
Harmony, equality, living socially without hierarchy.
Monkey
Observational clarity. Ability to see that which is hidden. Unpredictable. Power and grace.
Moose
Power, confidence, self-esteem, potency, success.
Moth
Strong healing abilities. Ability to perceive with clarity.
Mouse
Getting into the details of life.
Otter
Joyful, playful, sensitive, able to “feel” a way through life.
Owl
Wisdom. For the dark uncertain times. Ability to see in to shadows. Insight (for self and others). Messenger.
Panda
Willpower. Willingness to learn. Inner sight. Clarity of Vision.
Panther
Hidden emotions. Caution. Shape shifting. Invisibility.
Peacock
Good luck, serenity, psychic protection.
Porcupine
Ability to express yourself and stand up for yourself.
Rabbit
Alertness, attentiveness, awareness, fertility, creativity, and renewal.
Rat
Adaptability. Self assurance. Sensitive to the environment.
Raven
Trickster, transformer, survivor, messenger with higher powers. Explorer of the unknown.
Rhino
Solitude. Luxuriate, relish, enjoy and delight. Longevity and health.
Robin
Giver of love and joy
Rooster
Vanity. Likes to be showered with gifts.
Salamander
Keeper of dreams. Sensitive to low frequencies. Knowledge of inner child. Can teach subtlety.
Salmon
Strength, stamina, wisdom to understand the mysteries. Determination. Focused energy. Perseverance.
Scorpion
Transforming, strong, inspiring. The Scorpion is a master of self defence.
Seal
Agility. Intuition. Active imagination.
Snake
Death and rebirth. Sexuality and sensuality. Transcend limitations and go beyond restricting mindsets.
Spider
Careful, skilful preparation. Caution. Able to interconnect. Busy
Squirrel
Planner and gatherer. Patience when life becomes harsh.
Swan
Grace, balance, innocence, Beauty of the self. The ability to move on from grief and loss.
Tiger
Focus. Patience. Inner sight. Taking time to assess a situation. Taking whatever opportunities come along but doing things carefully.
Tortoise
Longevity, protection, wisdom, perseverance.
Turtle
Good luck, good fortune, being in the right place at the right time.
Vulture
Adaptability. Sacred trust. Resourceful. Innovative.
Weasel
Strength, energy, ingenuity and stealth.
Whale
Knowledge of the unseen past. Being open to ideas or experiences.
White Tiger
In Chinese mythology the white tiger is the symbol of the west, autumn, and all metals. The tiger is a night hunter and most with this totem work best at night, too.
Wolf
Success, intuition, and spirit. Wolf will help you eliminate your own weaknesses and non-productive thoughts. The Wolf will guard you as it teaches you, sometimes strongly sometimes gently, but always with love.
Wolverine
Cunning(can be a trickster). Inner vision. Able to see and face challenges with clarity. Invisibility.
Woodpecker
Sensitive, protected and devoted. Inner strength. Mentally strong.
Zebra
Agility. Enjoyment of challenges.
This list is derived from a blending of three sources:
- Swimming Wolf, Shamanic Wisdom II : The way of the animal spirits 1994, Earthspirit Inc, California.
- www.mysticfamiliar.com
- www.legendsofamerica.com
No single definitive source can be established for the symbolic or totemic meaning of animals so this list brings together the areas of agreement from three different sources hoping that from this framework the truth will emerge for you.
