There are six basic types of upright, pole carvings that are commonly referred to as "totem poles"; not all involve the carving of what may be considered "totem" figures: house frontal poles, interior house posts, mortuary poles, memorial poles, welcome poles, and the ridicule or shame pole.

Totem pole, carved and painted log, mounted vertically, constructed by the Native Americans of the Northwest Coast of the United States and Canada. There are seven principal kinds of totem poles: memorial poles, grave markers, house posts, portal poles, welcoming poles, mortuary poles, and ridicule poles.

A totem pole typically features symbolic and stylized human, animal, and supernatural forms. 1 Totem poles are primarily visual representations of kinship, depicting family crests and clan membership. For example, some Kwakwaka’wakw families of northern Vancouver Island belonging to the Thunderbird Clan will feature a Thunderbird crest and ...

Depending on their style and other features, totem poles can be broadly categorized into six types. These include house interior poles, mortuary poles, house frontal poles, shame poles, welcome poles and memorial poles.

Nov 26, 2024 · There are around seven principal types of totem poles, all with practical or cultural purposes. Heraldic or crest poles stand outside of the homes of important tribal leaders and tell the story of their family's lineage.

Types of Totem Poles. There are several types of totem poles, each serving a distinct purpose within the community. Here are some of the primary types: 1. Heraldic Poles. Heraldic poles, also known as crest poles, are used to represent the identity of a particular family or clan.

Sep 25, 2024 · A totem pole is a tall, vertical wooden carving created by Indigenous people of the Pacific Northwest, particularly the Haida, Tlingit, and Tsimshian tribes. These poles are usually carved from cedar trees, which are both abundant and resistant to rot.

Dec 23, 2024 · There are several different types of totem poles, each serving a distinct purpose within the community. Some of the most common types include memorial poles, welcome poles, and story poles. Memorial poles are erected to honor deceased individuals, often featuring their likeness or symbols associated with their life.

Nov 21, 2023 · Some popular types of totem poles include storytelling poles, house frontal poles, memorial and grave poles, welcoming poles, shame poles, and healing and education poles.

Aug 12, 2022 · There are traditionally 6 types of totem poles utilized. They are house frontal poles, house posts, mortuary poles, memorial poles, welcome poles and shaming or ridicule poles. House Frontal Poles: This type of pole is typically between 20-30 feet, and is the most decorative and ornamental.