Totem (noun)

An object, usually an animal or plant, that serves as an emblem or symbol for a group of people, such as a clan or tribe, and is revered as sacred and is believed to possess spiritual powers.

Origin:

From the ojibwe word "odoodem" meaning "his kinship group".

Examples:

1. The tribe had a totem pole that symbolized their ancestors.
2. The eagle is a totem of strength and courage.
3. The bear is the totem of the Blackfoot tribe.
4. The totem represented the tribe's spiritual connection to the land.
5. The totem pole is a traditional art form of many indigenous cultures of North America.