totemism

Meanings

• noun

  A cultural belief that certain animals, plants, or natural objects represent and protect a particular clan or family.

  - "The bear is the totem animal of my tribe."
  - "The eagle is a powerful totem symbol in many Native American cultures."

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Variants

List of all variants of totemism that leads to same result
totemism , totemisms

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Etymology

origin and the way in which meanings have changed throughout history.

Derived from the Tlingit and Haida words 'da-deem' or 'totem', meaning 'beaver'. In some cultures, beavers were considered the guardians of the underwater world.

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Trivia

Any details, considerations, events or pieces of information regarding the word

1. Totem poles can be several stories tall and can weigh up to 20 tons.

2. The Haida people believe that each totem represents a specific clan or family, and that the clan's ancestors are embodied in the animal or object.

3. The practice of totemism is believed to have originated over 10,000 years ago.

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Related Concepts

informations on related concepts or terms closely associated with the word. Discuss semantic fields or domains that the word belongs to

1. Animism: A belief system that attributes a spirit or soul to all living things, including animals, plants, and even inanimate objects.

2. Shamanism: A spiritual practice that involves communication with the spirit world, often through the use of altered states of consciousness.

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Culture

Any cultural, historical, or symbolic significance of the word. Explore how the word has been used in literature, art, music, or other forms of expression.

Totemism is a significant aspect of many Indigenous cultures, particularly in North America. Totems are often represented in art, carvings, and tattoos, and are believed to provide protection, guidance, and a connection to the natural world and one's ancestors.

How to Memorize "totemism"

1. visualize
   

   - Visualize a Native American totem pole with various animal carvings.
   - Imagine a family crest featuring a totem animal.

2. associate
   

   - Associate the word 'totem' with the idea of protection and connection to nature.
   - Think of a powerful animal representing your tribe or family.

3. mnemonics
   

   - Create a sentence using the word 'totem': 'The totem animal of my tribe is a powerful protector.'
   - Create a rhyme or acronym to help remember the word 'totem': 'Totem' rhymes with 'bodeem', which means 'beaver' in some Indigenous languages.

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