totem (totems plural )
1 n-count In some societies, a family's totem is the particular animal, plant, or natural object which they regard as a special symbol and which they believe has spiritual significance.
2 n-count Something that is a totem of another thing is a symbol of it. WRITTEN This opera is one of the cultural totems of Western civilisation.
totem pole (totem poles plural )A totem pole is a long wooden pole with symbols and pictures carved and painted on it. Totem poles are made by some Native American peoples and placed outside their homes. n-count