Most commonly an animal utilized by nomadic tribesmen as a representation of mythic ancestor of the group; venerated as a progenitor and protector (p 89)
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
An object, such as an animal or plant, that serves as the emblem for a lineage or clan The totem often serves as a symbolic representation of a guardian spirit or an ancestor
emblem consisting of an object such as an animal or plant; serves as the symbol of a family or clan (especially among American Indians) a clan identified by their kinship to a common totemic object
in Australia, (a somewhat inadequate term) used to refer to the connection between people, ancestral beings and the landscape (their clan estate) and includes the fauna and flora associated with it (often called "totemic species")
Something that is a totem of another thing is a symbol of it. This opera is one of the cultural totems of Western civilisation. an animal, plant etc that is thought to have a special spiritual connection with a particular tribe, especially in North America, or a figure made to look like the animal etc (ototeman )