Indian totem - description, characteristics and interesting facts

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:40

Ancient people worshiped the forces of nature and perceived them as the highest deities. The inhabitants of the American continent were no exception. The Indians worshiped totems - their first ancestors in the form of one or another animal. Each tribe had its own wild patron. But beyond that, there were personal totems. The Indians of North America calculated them by the date of birth of a person. Thus, the continent created its own horoscope, which in many respects correlates with the known signs of the zodiac.

What is a totem?

Indians watched the movement of stars and planets. They noticed that the Sun arrives in one constellation for about a month, and influences people born during this period. This is how the totem horoscope, or Native American signs of the zodiac, appeared. There are 12 of them in total, like the Europeans. Each period is associated with the characteristics of a particular animal - a personal totem. Moreover, all 12 characters are divisibleinto 4 clan groups. The latter are also associated with animals and endowed with the appropriate characteristics.

Animals and birds for the Indians were not just neighbors, but a manifestation of some magical power. Therefore, one should treat one's totem reverently. It was believed that by studying the qualities of a sacred animal, a person begins to understand his inner potential, strengths and weaknesses. Watching how the totem survives in the wild, you can find a way out of a difficult situation. Seeing the manifestation of an animal inside oneself, a person connects to its energy and can draw additional strength, receive help and tips.

Turtle clan

Let's move on to a detailed description of totems according to the Indian horoscope. As already mentioned, they are divided into four clans. They can be correlated with the elements of the traditional zodiac sign. It is believed that clans play a more important role than a personal totem.

The turtle clan is the first to be singled out. It can be attributed to the earth element. The hard shell of the animal symbolizes hardness, stamina and invincibility. The main needs of a turtle are strength, prosperity and safety. People belonging to this clan are practical, calm, methodical and do not tend to waste their strength on trifles. They are slow, clumsy, but stubbornly move towards their goal, and, as a rule, achieve it. Their characteristic feature is high efficiency.

Personal Totems

The following animals belong to the turtle clan: beaver (date of birth20.04 - 20.05), brown bear (date of birth 22.08 - 21.09) and snow goose (date of birth 22.12 - 19.01). Now let's take a quick look at Indian totems and their meaning:

1. Beaver. People born under this sign are hardworking and patient. They move forward slowly but steadily, laying a solid foundation for building something new. Representatives of the sign value comfort and material we alth. They need to always be in balance. As beavers stop water, so a person must learn to deal with negativity.
2. Brown bear. Courageous leaders are often born under this sign. They stand firmly on their feet and do not need the support of other people. Representatives of the totem are very practical, interested in the internal structure of things, they settle things well, but they hardly accept changes in life.
3. White goose. This totem, on the contrary, is always ready to explore the unknown. Representatives of the sign are beautiful, prudent, strive for excellence and get along well among other people, like geese in a flock. They are always on the move, gladly take on new things, but do not always finish what they started. The task of the sign: to learn to bring things to the end and become more independent so as not to depend so much on others.

Frog clan

This North American Indian totem is associated with the water element. The frog is pliable, like a liquid, and easily adapts to its environment. Clan representatives do not like sharp corners, they try to be flexible. They can find a common language with people of all other clans, connect themdue to its sensitivity and variability. They are characterized by deep emotions, which can sometimes lead to a sharp change in mood.

Many people belonging to the clan have the gift of healing. After all, water is a healing substance that can refresh and rejuvenate the body. Moreover, some frogs can heal not only the body, but also the soul of another person. If you are a member of this clan, then try to visit the water more often. She will give you peace of mind.

Totems

The frog clan includes: a woodpecker (date of birth 06/21 - 07/21), a snake (10/23 - 11/21) and a wolf (02/19 - 03/20). Let's get to know these Indian totems better.

1. Woodpecker. This totem is characterized by caring and responsiveness towards loved ones, as well as the desire to protect them. Sometimes it turns into unnecessary self-sacrifice. The woodpecker is a tenacious bird. It is difficult for people of this sign to part with everything "their own", holding on to habits and old attachments. The inability to appreciate the present moment leads to constant anxiety and stress.
2. Snake. This totem, on the contrary, knows how to easily throw back the old skin and make decisive changes. The struggle lifts such people to new heights. They are very strong, recover quickly, but at the same time, they are characterized by a sharp change in mood.
3. Wolf. This sign is characterized by sensitivity and well-developed intuition. Its representatives "inside" feel people, love creative enterprises, hate the demands imposed by society and strive for free expression. They needbecome more practical and listen to your mind in order to cope with emotional instability and break free from limitations.

Butterfly clan

This totem of the North American Indians can be correlated with the air element. Before becoming a butterfly, an insect undergoes a series of metamorphoses. So the representatives of the clan are capable of transformation. Among them are many innovators and sorcerers. These people are spontaneous, always on the move, love everything new and hate "forced landings".

Butterflies need freedom, communication. They are very energetic, lively and illuminate everything around with their beauty. To restore strength, they are recommended to walk in the open air more often.

Personal Butterfly Totems

The clan of butterflies includes: deer (date of birth 21.05 - 20.06), raven (22.09-22.10) and otter (20.01 - 18.02). Let's move on to the description of these Indian totems:

1. Deer. People born under this sign are graceful and sensitive. They are also fast and restless. Having caught fire with the idea, the deer is able to show enviable zeal and ingenuity. At the same time, the totem lacks focus. He easily switches to a new occupation, having cooled to the old one.
2. Raven. This is a mysterious animal that can influence external circumstances with internal force. Representatives of the totem are in no hurry to reveal all the secrets. They are inherently inconsistent. On the one hand, the totem endows them with the ability to work in a team, promote other people's ideas, see the "right" people,organize the process. On the other hand, crows are used to being leaders and try to maintain their independence even among like-minded people.
3. Otter. Representatives of the totem are clean and businesslike. They have courage and are ready to defend their ideas through struggle. The latter, by the way, are distinguished by their originality. There are many inventors among otters. However, often their discoveries turn out to be impractical, and the commitments made are too big.

Clan of the hawk

Let's continue to get acquainted with Indian totems. The energy of fire is symbolized by a swift hawk. People of this clan are energetic and easy-going. They quickly "light up" with new ideas, tend to act impulsively. At the same time, the hawk-man has a well-developed intuition.

Usually these are very passionate, active people who are in love with life. It is natural for them to experience flashes of inspiration, to work with passion, to get involved in business. Courageous character, perseverance, self-confidence allows them to succeed.

Hawk Totems

The hawk clan includes: falcon (born 21.03 - 19.04), salmon (date of birth 07.22 - 21.08) and owl (date of birth 11.23 - 21.12). Let's dwell on each of the totems:

1. Falcon. People born under this sign are energetic, love new experiences and do not tolerate routine. They easily accept life's challenges, are full of enthusiasm, but do not differ in perseverance. Because of this, the case is thrown halfway. Other negative features of the totem are impulsiveness and a tendency to "hover inclouds".
2. Salmon. People of this sign are playful, energetic and generous. They need to be in demand, to be in a bright relationship. The salmon man is self-confident and responsible. However, often he does not take into account the opinions of other people and tries to dictate his terms to them, which leads to problems. Faced with difficulties, the representatives of the totem quickly lose their inherent optimism and plunge into hopeless despondency.
3. Owl. A person born at this time is perspicacious and knows exactly what he wants to achieve in life. He knows how to see hidden opportunities, is resourceful and ready to go on an adventure. But owls avoid tedious activities, preferring to think alone. They are independent, love freedom, but at the same time, representatives of the totem need the support of like-minded people and close people. Strong relationships are very valuable and should not be neglected.

Amulets and charms

To make the connection with the totem animal stronger, the Indians wore special items reminiscent of it. Such amulets were created manually by shamans or priests of the tribe. The process was accompanied by rituals during which spirits were called. In the manufacture of amulets, it was impossible to use the remains of a dead animal. Finished products were worn by ordinary Indians on clothes, braided into braids. Warriors decorated their weapons with them.

In many tribes, tattoos were applied to the human body. Indian totems in this case were painted with bright colors. Often they were given a frightening appearance in order to frighten the enemy. Through the talisman it is easier to enter intocontact with an animal, access its power. This was also facilitated by ritual dances, during which the movements of the beast and its habits were imitated.

Indian totems are part of the mythological picture of the world of ancient people. For them, nature was alive and powerful. Man and his totem animal were considered connected by inseparable threads. A personal patron could appear in a stressful situation and save a person from trouble, giving him his cunning, speed, vigilance or strength. Today we are far from nature. But perhaps we still have something to learn from her?