in the forest the carver would create the story. The pole could commemorate family origins, rights, privileges, experiences and achievements. In Toronto, at the Royal Ontario Museum there are four totem poles. As a young girl, I remember well a staircase that had one in the middle. It seemed so huge. No Canadian souvenir shop is without a totem pole. In British Columbia they are even more prevalent and can be bought ranging in many different sizes. Tourists leaving BC with have at least one. Modern carvers will use modern tools as well as traditional ones to create their poles. Watching BRAVO today it was interesting to view a modern carver at work. He started creating poles as a hobby then it became a livelihood for him. The work and skill involved are so artistic. Sometimes it is said the most important symbol is at the top and the least significant at the bottom. As in our slang language- the lowest person on the Totem Pole. Or the reverse can be true- the most important at the bottom. I see it as the foundation that holds the piece together. If the pole is seen as a family, then the strongest is at the bottom supporting everyone. I often view Totem Poles as a family's history with overt meaning but also subtle symbols that must be sought out by studying the piece. In family therapy, I have used the totem pole as a way for a family to illustrate their unique system. Each member creates their own pole and tells why they have used the symbols, colours or ideas. Much can be learnt by the symbol of the Totem Pole representing the troubled family. It is good for children to make one as a craft just for fun too!
If you were to create your own totem pole, what would it look like? What symbols represent you or your family? Would it be colourful? What story would it tell?
If I had the talent required, I would make two totem poles out of yellow cedar, representing my family. One would be the male line; the other, the female line. Each would start with e grandparent on the bottom, the parent next up, and the offspring on the top. Convenient, because I have a son and a daughter. Hopefully, each level would build on the knowledge, experience, and love of the ones below. I'm not sure what my symbol would be. Perhaps, a frog. Don't ask why ...
ReplyDeleteI looked up frog in my symbols book.Frogs represent the transition from the element of earth to water and water to earth. The frog has changes- it is anamphibious character and a lunar animal. Like a prince into a frog and if we kiss the frog turns back into a prince. Are you a prince in frog's clothing, Roy?
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