Totem Poles

A tall totem pole
at Stanley Park
Vancouver

Totem poles are monumental sculptures carved from large trees, usually red cedar.

Totem poles are a culture of the indigenous peoples of the Pacific coast of North America.

There are a great variety of designs on totem poles and the meanings of the designs are as varied. The designs depict indigenous legends, cultural beliefs, clan relation, mortuary structures, etc and some of the designs are merely artistic presentations.