Totem Pole and Boomerang

The indigenous people's Totem Pole, and its similarity with the Christian Cross

Totem Pole and Boomerang

Totem Pole in Vancouver's Stanley Park
© copyright-free-pictures.org.uk
(Click image to enlarge)

The word 'Totem' is derived from Algonquian odoodeman, which is like a heraldic emblem of a family or clan.

Lacking a written language, North American Indians utilised totem poles to record their culture for the benefit of future generations. Totem poles have been a visual record of personal or family stories, honouring an individual, tribe or some profound event, or to mark a burial site. Contrary to popular belief, totem poles are not worshipped or used as idols. (There is a shamanistic religion called Totemism, where the totem is the spirit of an animal or bird which guides a clan.)

The totem pole shown above is in the shape of a cross, and like the totem pole, the Christian Cross tells a story of something profound that happened 2,000 years ago.

Totem poles are not restricted to Northwest America; Korea has several old totem poles which were decoratively carved as cultural records. They have also been used by the Ainu of Ezochi (Hokkaido, Japan) and the Mãori of Aotearoa (New Zealand), to record their cultural beliefs and history.

Modern sport boomerang
(Click image to enlarge)

Oceanian aborigines have another cross-shaped implement: the four-armed boomerang. This is a turbo-charged version of the banana shaped boomerang. The arms may be straight, or slightly angled like a swastika to increase and stabilise the spin when thrown.

(See also another throwing cross, the Ninja Star, and if you feel like a diversion, our Cowboy and Indian joke.)